Putting 30 prototype machines on beta test in several kinds of businesses enabled Brother to develop a direct to garment printing machine specially made for the job it was required to perform. "Brother's experience as one of the market leading office printer manufacturing companies allowed it to draw on that expertise and develop a ‘real' garment printer from scratch, rather than using a modified printer head as many of the competitors have done over the last couple of years," says GS UK. "The print head has been specifically developed for the GT541 and is produced by Brother in Japan."

In June 2007 Brother introduced the GT 541 into its business range of equipment in Europe, originally launching in five countries and gradually expanding into the rest of Europe. The machine is very easy to operate, explains GS UK: "Simply put the garment onto the machine and push the start button; most designs will be printed in under one minute." When the printing process is finished the garment has to be transferred to a heat press for 35 seconds at 180ÞC. The heat press cures the water-based inks that are used in the process and ensures a good washability is also achieved. The water-based inks used in this machine are Oekotex approved which means they do not contain any hazardous substances. On average the ink costs for an individual print are less than 35 pence, says GS UK. "Preparation of the design needs no special software - just use the graphics software that you are used to and send it to the printer, it really is that simple."

The printer is ideal for businesses that have to deliver a high number of garments in a relatively short time, says GS UK. Realising this requirement, Brother has introduced barcode reading software to facilitate the ease of which a customer can choose a design and print it straight to the garment. The customer can choose from a number of prepared designs from a library and the design is linked with a barcode. When the salesperson reads the barcode the design will automatically be selected from the design library and sent to the printer. At the same time barcode labels can be printed to accompany the order of the garment and can be used for packing, cash system and others.

Other designs can easily be made suitable for the barcode reading system so that designs you already hold can also use this system. An added feature of the system is that it also comes with a Brother Industrial Label printer, which creates durable labels for garments. "This whole system is designed to improve the cycletime in your shop because the choice of designs available, to some degree, is unlimited and therefore speeds up the customer's ability to browse designs from the library. The only thing you have to prepare is dedicated designs for the event you will be attending," explains GS UK.

Tel: 0115 8448000,

Email: sales@gs-uk.com or visit

Web: http://www.gs-uk.com/

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