Highlights from FESPA 2024—Textile and Direct-to-Object News

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Highlights from FESPA 2024—Textile and Direct-to-Object News

In part 2 of his coverage of the FESPA Global Print Expo, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 19–22, European section editor Ralf Schlözer rounds up some textile and direct-to-object product launches and announcements.

By Ralf Schlozer

Monday, April 22, 2024

After covering the highlights in sign and display print in a previous article, let’s now take a look at the other application areas. Direct-to-film (DTF) was already pervasive at FESPA in 2023, and now it seems to be the lead technology among all products shown at FESPA. At the same time, DTF is getting more diverse: larger formats, new technology approaches, and additional suppliers.

DTF line from Korean manufacturer Manprotek

Brother presented a technology demo of powderless DTF on a desktop laser printer. It further simplifies the DTF process by applying the glue directly in the printer to the toner image—or, more precisely, in a box hidden behind the explanation poster. The process requires a specialty transfer substrate. This was shown as a technology demo.

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About Ralf Schlozer

Ralf Schlözer is a technology analyst for print with 30 years’ experience in the industry and a passion for discovering new technologies and print applications.

He is available for consulting and speaking engagements. Contact Ralf at [email protected]

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