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46 images FEBRUARY 2017
KB SCREEN PRINTING PRESSES
The best of both
Amongst forward thinking print shops, there is a steadily growing interest in the concept
of combining screen printing and direct-to-garment processes. Images talks to the main
players to find out what type of decoration these hybrid systems are best suited for and
why you should consider buying one
Hybrid? What’s a hybrid? Put sim-
ply, we’re talking about a textile
printing system that combines
both screen printing and di-
rect-to-garment digital equipment. The
idea is that each system has its advantages
and drawbacks and that by combining the
two you benefit from the best of both.
This concept has gained considerable
traction over the past 12 months, with the
industry’s heavyweight screen printing
press manufacturers all entering this sec-
tor of the market, launching digital print-
ing equipment for use with their existing
screen printing presses in a hybrid printing
set-up. MHM unveiled its iQ Digital system
at the SGIA exposition back in September
2016; Roq introduced its Hybrid system at
the end of last year; and M&R announced
the brand new Digital Squeegee at the ISS
Long Beach show in January of this year.
These systems join hybrid set-ups from
Polyprint, Resolute and Exile, along with
the original ‘digital add-on’ printer–Kor-
nit’s Paradigm.
The manufacturers have adopted various
approaches to combining screen with dig-
ital; however, all share the aim of allowing
seamless printing of both screen and dig-
ital inks, in perfect registration, as quickly
and profitably as possible.
To find out more about the hybrid con-
cept and why modern print shops should
be considering investing in it, we spoke
to representatives of all the major play-
ers (below). We’ve also brought together
all the latest hybrid technology in our
Product Showcase - ‘Kit Selector: Hybrid
Systems’ (page 54).
John Potter is the managing director of MHM Direct
GB, which sells the MHM iQ Digital.
Julian Wright is sales director of Amaya Sales UK,
which sells the Polyprint hybrid system with the
Texjet DTG printer.
Mark Evans is managing director of Exile
Technologies, which offers the FreeStyler computer-
to-screen/hybrid printing system.
Colin Marsh is managing director of Resolute DTG,
which offers the R-Jet LA
Nuno Venda is marketing manager at Roq, which
manufactures the Roq Hybrid.
MEET THE EXPERTS
Oliver Luedtke is director of marketing EMEA for
Kornit, which produces the Paradigm II.
Geoff Baxter is director of M&R’s Digital Products
Division, which is launching the Digital Squeegee in
2017.