feb17_images_digital

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

H ybrid? 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-

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).

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

MEET THE EXPERTS

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.

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.

John Potter is the managing director of MHM Direct GB, which sells the MHM iQ Digital.

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.

46 images FEBRUARY 2017

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