Boxmeer, Netherlands - At ITM 2016, Istanbul (1-4 June 2016) SPGPrints (Stand 805A) will introduce the JAVELIN® digital inkjet textile printer. Featuring the company’s acclaimed Archer® print head technology, this multiple-pass solution combines precision geometrics with low running costs, and is ideal for medium volume requirements. The company will also exhibit its NEBULA® digital inks that offer productivity and an expanded colour gamut for virtually all textile applications. SPGPrints will also reinforce its commitment to optimising the rotary screen workflow, by showcasing the bestLEN 7412 laser engraver and its long-life, high-resolution NovaScreen® programme, including 245 mesh.  

“The launch of JAVELIN moves digital textile printing firmly into the mainstream by enabling smaller companies to enter digital textile production while enhancing the options for larger ones,” said Jos Notermans, commercial manager digital textiles, SPGPrints. “Visitors to our stand will see that we have new solutions across the board from screen technologies, to universally compatible digital inks and printers. These developments reaffirm SPGPrints’ position of leadership in this industry.”

JAVELIN printer début: precision digital inkjet for medium volumes  

Taking centre-stage at the SPGPrints stand, the new JAVELIN inkjet printer enables textile printers to take the first step into digital or for existing digital printers to enjoy exceptional quality and productivity levels. Designed for annual production levels of up to two million metres, JAVELIN features the same ground-breaking Archer print head technology as that of the recently launched high-volume PIKE printer. Daily live demonstrations of the JAVELIN will take place at the stand in English and Turkish.

The JAVELIN printer’s array of Fujifilm Dimatix Samba print heads are incorporated in a highly accurate but user-friendly print-bar technology, including specialised electronics as well as an ink conditioning and ink delivery system, called Archer technology.

Archer has an ink conditioning and delivery system that offers both precision and a significantly greater jetting distance than is possible with other heads widely used in current digital textile printing applications. Head plates in the Archer system are situated 4mm away from the substrate surface, compared with the typical 1.5mm nozzle-fabric distance offered by alternative print heads. The longer jetting distance significantly reduces the risk of print head damage. As a result, SPGPrints offers the ‘Archer Print Head Program’, which provides a two-and-a-half year guarantee on the print heads in combination with the use of accredited inks. 

In addition, Archer technology assures fine line detail, blotches, geometrics and gradients, thanks to its capability for variable drop-sizes ranging from 2pl to 10pl in resolutions of up to 1200 x 1200dpi and high jetting frequencies of 32kHz. The JAVELIN uses specially formulated reactive inks that eliminate mist.

PIKE® sets the standard for high-volume digital inkjet textile printing

Information and samples about SPGPrints’ new PIKE digital printer for textiles will be available. Featuring the same Archer technology and using the same inks as in the JAVELIN, the PIKE offers the same precision and operational simplicity, for the highest volume requirements. With industry-leading speeds of 40m/min, PIKE® is capable of up to 13 million metres’ output per year. Its Archer print bar contains 43 print elements, giving a printing width of 1850mm.

Since its launch at ITMA Milan in November 2015, the response to this printer has been tremendous and installations are underway at a number of major textile printers. The first of these are six-colour configurations, but its modular design allows up to nine to be specified.

Universally compatible digital inks with superior density and colour gamut  

SPGPrints invests heavily in developing digital inks that offer the widest colour gamut and optimised drying, compatible with all commonly used textile print head technologies.

At ITM 2016, SPGPrints will show how it provides ink solutions for all digital textile printing applications, thanks to its portfolio of NEBULA inks. These comprise high-density (HD) reactive, direct disperse and sublimation inks. The range’s HD inks offer a colour density that is 20 per cent higher than industry alternatives, as well as superior ink yields and excellent runnability. Nebula® Disperse Inks, for polyester fabrics, cover the widest colour gamut available for textiles today and offer high brilliance. They are specially formulated to offer contamination-free drying and mist-free production.

The latest addition to the range for sublimation printing applications offers vibrance, print quality and reduced manufacturing costs. The new SPGPrints Nebula® Sublimation ink set for Kyocera heads combines bright, sparkling colours with the best deep black available in the market. In the last two years, sublimation printing has established a strong position in digital textile printing for fashion applications driven by the improved quality of polyester fabrics, making them suitable for fashion garments and acceptable to the major brands. Sublimation printing offers sustainability benefits as no post-processing by steaming and washing is needed. 

Having recently doubled its production space, SPGPrints supplies ink for print heads from nearly all the world’s leading manufacturers.

The 245 mesh NovaScreen raises standard in rotary textile printing

SPGPrints sets the standard for quality and reliability in conventional textile printing with its NovaScreen programme of rotary screens.

NovaScreen screens offer high open areas thanks to a high mesh count with minimum spacing between holes. This maximises paste transfer, enabling higher printing speeds and paste yields. Because of its robust nickel construction, NovaScreen offers stability at high speed, long life and easy handling, providing a perfect complement to a cost-efficient, sustainable process.  

The latest edition to the range, the NovaScreen 245 mesh, offers exceptional definition and resolution. With hole-sizes of 41 micron, it features an exceptionally high mesh count, resulting in two significant quality advantages. Firstly, it enables perfect halftones and tonal degradations, with a smoothness previously unseen in rotary screen printing.  These are possible because of fine rasters, which generate homogenous shade impressions on the printed substrate. Furthermore, fine linework and smaller dots are possible, thus widening the scope for creativity in geometric pattern and shirting design.  

Thanks to its resolution and definition, the new NovaScreen presents the opportunity to switch from digital to conventional printing methods for numerous applications from sampling to bulk printing, without any compromise in quality. 

SPGPrints will also exhibit its RandomScreen®, a screen that supresses moiré effects in halftones. The holes are arranged out of line with each other, thereby eliminating the risk of undesired patterns becoming visible in printed results.  Thanks to its streamlined hole-shape it is possible to print on the surface of the substrate. This can lead to paste savings of between 10 and 15 per cent compared with PentaScreen®, especially in pigment printing. RandomScreen 125 mesh has a 79 micron hole-size. 

Furthermore, SPGPrints has introduced an updated version of its 155-mesh screen. Named 155 XT, this 115-micron thick screen has a higher wall thickness, resulting in improved flexibility and longer life. In addition, it has roughly 9 per cent more open area than the standard 155 mesh screen.    

bestLEN 741X laser engraver: effortless, repeatable quality in screen imaging

For 30 years, SPGPrints has pioneered the development of laser engraving systems for imaging textile rotary screens. The result is a pre-print technology that offers unbeatable quality, productivity, operational cost and sustainability, compared with alternative processes. The company has developed and delivered over 400 engraving systems globally for textile applications.   

Direct laser engraving is a single-step dry process: simply engrave the desired design and print. This eliminates costly consumables such as film, ink or chemicals, and time-consuming processes like exposing and washing. With minimal process steps, the chance of human error is greatly reduced.

SPGPrints’ bestLEN 741X represents the ultimate in laser engraving performance. Equipped with state-of-the-art Best Image software and automatic laser power calibration, bestLEN achieves unprecedented levels of repeatable quality and efficiency. With top resolutions of 2540dpi, it is ideal for perfect halftones; engraving cycles are complete in only 30 minutes. Two laser engravers are available: bestLEN 7412 accommodates screens up to 2.1m in length; bestLEN 7413 is suitable for all screens up to 3.5m.