Ottimo Digital makes calendar investment

In the summer of 2021, Ottimo Digital invested in a 3.2m wide Kleverik GTC 101 3500-calender press from CMYUK and it has paid dividends for the business.

A highly versatile piece of equipment for the widest range of applications within digital textile production, it handles both dye-sublimation transfer printing (paper to textile) and dye fixation of direct printed dispersed dyes or pigments.

Nick Lindwall, director, Ottimo Digital, said: “Installing the Klieverik was the next logical step for us.

“It takes us to the next level of fabric production. Using a separate calendar gives us greater versatility and expands our applications reach. The purchase of the Klieverik is an excellent opportunity for us to perfect our fabric offering.”

This new piece of equipment sits alongside the company’s EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i dye sublimation printer, also acquired from CMYUK.

“We were pushed towards the FabriVU 340i by a handful of clients who said that if we started to offer dye sublimation they would not only give us all their fabric work, but everything else as well. It prints direct to fabric with inline fixation for graphics that are immediately ready for finishing and packing.

“All the big boys that are digitally printing fabrics tend to use separate calendars, so we always thought we would buy one. When the CMYUK promotion came up both my business partner Lee Crew and myself emailed one another at the same time. Investing in the Klieverik is all about maturing our fabric offering so we can get optimal results,” says Nick.

CMYUK – a partner for business

The Klieverik is Ottimo’s fourth piece of equipment purchased from CMYUK, which in addition to the FabriVU 340i includes an EFI VUTEk LX3 UV LED 3.2m hybrid printer, EFI Quantum 5m UV LED roll-to-roll printer and Kongsberg digital cutting technology.

Lee says: “CMYUK is our go-to supplier and we trust that if it’s selling the Klieverik then it’s a very good piece of equipment.”

Based in Newport, South Wales, Ottimo Digital has been in business for a decade, servicing the events and exhibitions markets – two sectors that were badly impacted by the pandemic.

Lee adds: “Like many other businesses we were closed during the first lockdown in 2020 for five weeks with literally no work at all. Then we were fortunate enough to come back with a vengeance in the summer because there was so much social distancing and COVID-19 safety signage needed. We produced huge volumes of floor graphics that saw us through the summer and put some wool on our back.”

New capabilities

Thanks to its new capabilities, the company can now offer digitally printed stretch fabrics. This takes it into the realms of textile architecture where for example, it can offer specialist applications including hanging 3D structures, pods, pop-ups, rooms within rooms, walled zones and ambitious corporate fit-outs.

The company already uses a range of recyclable high-quality PONGS materials from CMYUK, and has created its own eco-materials portfolio for clients that includes UFabrik ECO materials, made of yarn derived from recycled single use plastic waste, and the PVC-free Kavalan banner range.

Robin East, group sales and marketing director, CMYUK, explains: “The pairing of the FabriVU 340i with the Klieverik GTC calendar press has propelled Ottimo onto the A List when it comes to digital printed fabric production.

“The company has invested in this equipment at the right time as many brands have used Lockdown to assess their business goals. Textiles – in particular eco materials and fabrics – are on an upward trajectory, paving the way for exciting new applications and revenue streams.”

Nick concludes: “The exhibition space is in an interesting place right now. We’re seeing a number of start-ups and new players presenting potential opportunities. The pandemic has created a watershed moment where we’ll see new inventive ways of physically bringing people together in innovative spaces. We’re ready for the challenge, and look forward to working with our clients as we all adjust to the new world order.”