New standalone paper transfer and direct to substrate unit uplifts fabric production to a new level

CMYUK, Shrewsbury – Ottimo Digital has invested in a 3.2m wide Kleverik GTC 101 3500-calender press from CMYUK. 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.

“Installing the Klieverik is the next logical step for us,” said Nick Lindwall, Director, Ottimo Digital. “It takes us to the next level of fabric production. Using a separate calender 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 recently acquired EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i dye sublimation printer 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 calenders, 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.

“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,” says Lee.

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

“The last 12 months been very interesting. Like many other businesses we were closed during the first Lockdown for 5 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,” says Lee.

Events beginning to stir
The company has continued to tick over during this current lockdown and is seeing signs of markets beginning to stir. It recently produced work for the event production show in Farnborough, which went ahead in early June.

“I took a trip there, and it was really nice to see an actual physical exhibition,” says Nick. “Things are slowly starting to pick up although it’s nothing like the level it should be, but there’s a sense of moving forward. Speaking to many of our customers, there’s an expectation that September will be extremely busy, presuming that things proceed in the way they’ve been mapped out.”

The FabriVU 340i and Klieverik are both in readiness for a possible post lockdown boom, where Ottimo will be offering updated and improved services for its existing client base and potential new customers.

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.

“The pairing of the FabriVU 340i with the Klieverik GTC calender press has propelled Ottimo onto the A List when it comes to digital printed fabric production,” says Robin East, Group Sales & Marketing Director, CMYUK. “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,”

“The exhibition space is in an interesting place right now,” concludes Nick. “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.”