An important new distribution agreement between CMYUK Digital and A Berger will result in the German specialist digital textile manufacturer’s full range of versatile products being available in the UK. This arrangement covers the Krefeld based company’s entire portfolio of materials, which can now be obtained from a single source supplier in this country for the first time.

Suitable for direct and transfer dye sublimation printers, such as those from Mimaki and Mutoh, A Berger’s materials can also be used with most other ink chemistries, including HP’s latex printing technologies. Similarly, there are many products in the company’s catalogue which are ideal for UV-curable and solvent-based systems, with many of the textiles having a universal capability to bring them added versatility.

For CMYUK Digital, the addition of Berger’s digital textiles to its range of products and services is a logical move for the specialist distributor of wide-format printing solutions as it reflects the increasing interest from printers using all types of machine who want to benefit from these materials. The comprehensive range of media includes typical fabrics used for soft signs, flags and banners and also encompasses the rapid growth in demand from the home furnishing and interior décor markets.

Similarly, for point-of-sale and retail advertising, CMYUK Digital is addressing the move towards polyester-based media not only for its lighter weight and ease of handling but also because of the potential to be recycled. Most of the Berger materials also carry B1/M1 fire ratings, thus making them suitable for interior applications, such as light boxes, back-lits and furnishings.

CMYUK Digital’s Jon Price states: “Everyone is predicting a huge increase in interest for digital textiles in the UK but, until now, it hasn’t been easy to obtain high quality materials from a long-standing manufacturer and converter. By bringing Berger’s products to this country we know we can extend the potential of these fabrics into a wealth of different display and décor arenas.

“For users of dye sublimation printers, both direct and transfer, the Berger portfolio of PES and PP polyester-based textiles will enhance the production opportunities available within the digital printing market,” Price continues. “Additionally we expect to see an increase in textile production from companies that have invested in other ink technologies, including HP’s latex plus aqueous-based, solvent-based and UV-curable systems.”

Because CMYUK Digital has decided to offer the entire catalogue of materials from A Berger this means that a vast range of PVC-free products is now available on the UK market for the first time. The company’s textiles bring more environmentally friendly alternatives to users of wide-format digital printers, with art and stretch canvases, black-out and noise-absorbing acoustic media complementing the more commonly employed options used for banners, flags, inflatables, umbrellas and framed displays.

“Although the potential of Berger materials is huge within the dye sublimation market, moving into digital textile production doesn’t mean having to buy a new printer,” concludes Price. “With such a broad selection of media options now available from the company, every ink formulation can be accommodated with reliable, robust coatings on a choice of high quality polyester-based fabrics.”

With a long history in the production of textiles, going back to the late 19th century, in 1977 the original company Schüssler took over its customer A Berger whose primary activities today concentrate on the development of textiles for digital printing. The growing, comprehensive portfolio of materials is designed to cater for all ink technologies and every type of application where polyesters and mixes can be used to replace conventional display products.

CMYUK Digital is the UK authorised distributor for EFI VUTEk UV-curable wide-format printers and Mutoh’s Viper TX 1.6 and 2.2 m direct-to-textile system, designed for the soft sign and display markets. The company also supplies the Zünd G3 contour cutting solution, as well as a selection of OEM inks for a variety of manufacturers.