KETTERING, UK - Ivo Prints has purchased a new Reggiani digital textile printer from i-Sub Ltd, which it says has already seen it 'pushing possibilities' with design. 

Established in Paddington in 1963, Ivo has counted Vivienne Westwood, Zandra Rhodes and Ossie Clark amongst its prestigious clients. From its current premises in West London, its designs can now be seen on fashion, interior textiles and wallpaper and, while predominantly a commission printer, it also has an in-house studio which creates new designs and perfects clients' designs where necessary. 

The Reggiani pigment printer – designed to offer super-fast print speeds at a super-low print cost – was installed earlier this year, where it has produced work ranging from heavyweight linen furnishings to baby-wear.

Michael Haas, Managing Director of Ivo Prints, says that the 50-year-old business had kept an eye on the evolution of textile printing technology and waited until the equipment was capable of achieving work of a comparable quality to those output on its existing screen printing equipment. 

"For the first time, a digital printing system provides effects very close to that which we can achieve by screen," he says. "I had seen other machines but they did not give the effect we were looking for, nor were they robust enough. I went to Reggiani's facility in Italy to see the printer and test it on my own fabric and designs, and found it a proper, industrial machine that will last a lifetime."

The pigment technology used in the Reggiani printer provides 'a better surface impact' than the reactive dyes used in some digital printers, Michael Haas explains, which he says can leave colours looking flat. In addition, screen printing is unsuitable for some designs on certain materials due to the stability of the cloth, which is overcome by the Reggiani digital pigment system.

"We print unusual things and this new machine will see us pushing possibilities," he says.

"Reggiani's digital technology with pigment inks injects the 50-year tradition of Ivo Prints with a combination of vibrant colours, sharp lines, customisability and speed," Nick Davies, Sales Director at i-Sub Ltd, comments. "The beauty of digital is that there are no minimum run lengths and colours and designs can be changed rapidly, and with such a tough machine we expect to see Ivo Prints use it for its designs over many years.

"Reggiani are world renowned for producing digital printers of the highest quality, capable of the most incredible printing speeds. When you combine the precision engineering and cutting-edge digital technology of Reggiani, with the lowest consumable costs that come with it, the result is a machine that you can build your business on."

Michael Haas adds: "i-Sub Ltd has been a pleasure to work with. The company is very customer focused and deals with enquiries promptly. I'm impressed."