Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
Epson’s market development manager, Heather Kendle, said: “Transfer printing is a versatile and affordable technology. It requires a computer to produce designs, an Epson digital dye sublimation printer and colour management software to print on to 44-inch-wide paper and a heat press to transfer the image to the fabric.
“So, for about £15,000 for the printer and press, there is a low entry point and a growth path right up through the SureColor printer range and even on to industrial level Monna Lisa technology.
“Dye Sublimation technology works with polyester-based or -coated materials and these have evolved considerably in recent years, many emulating natural fibres such as velvets, silks and linens. Companies producing printwear and promotional products need to have colour consistency because often the garments or gifts being produced need to identify and relate to a brand. Epson printers are designed to provide top quality and to be very easy to use.
“The ink penetrates the textile fibres or coats the surface of promotional products. This is achieved through a chemical reaction in which heat is used to turn ink from a solid into a gas that permeates the material.”
Epson has three dye sublimation wide format printers in its portfolio – the SureColor SC-F6200, SC-F 7200 and the latest top of the range SC-F9300 which launched just six months ago. The SC-F9300 is a high resolution printer that has been designed primarily for fast, high-volume printing for clothing, textiles and soft signage, as well as other printed merchandise.
Epson Precision Dot technology is now available for dye sublimation including a halftone module, look-up tables and micro-weave help make an instantly noticeable difference to print quality, and make it easy to get quality results straight out of the box. Furthermore, Epson’s wide gamut CMYK input profile combines with UltraChrome DS inks to ensure the maximum possible colour gamut, for accurate reproduction of even the most complex designs.
The SC-F9300 is fast (up to 108.6sq m/hr) and is sold as a package with printer, inks and software, that maximises uptime and reliability.
