Epson has introduced a new Direct-to-Garment (DTG) pretreatment solution for polyester garments that will expand opportunities to include markets that feature 100 percent polyester garments, such as team sports apparel, activewear, imitation silk and leather, and accessories.
Epson’s DTG solutions, which maintain the standard DTG workflow, are available for use on the company’s SureColor F2000 and F2100 printers. The Epson Polyester DTS pretreatment will be available in an 18-liter container starting in December for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $299.95 through Epson Authorized DTG Resellers.
“To date, the direct-to-garment industry has been limited to printing on 100 percent cotton or cotton-polyester blends,” said Timothy Check, senior product manager of Professional Imaging at Epson America. “This new polyester pretreatment solution will open opportunities for direct-to-garment printing and customization for new industries, as well as open doors to on-site garment customization at sporting events–everything from neighborhood runs to national triathlons.”
Epson polyester pretreatment was created for use with Epson UltraChrome DG inks to produce vivid prints with strong wash-fastness on light and dark color polyester garments. The pretreatment solution is Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certified for product safety to the end consumer, and is free of GHS health risks, making it safe for operators, too, according to Epson.
Following the renowned SureColor F2000, the F2100 is designed exclusively for direct-to-garment printing and offers a purpose-built system for high-quality prints at production speeds. Developed using the latest advancements in performance imaging, the SureColor F2100 achieves up to twice the speeds of Epson’s previous generation of DTG printers. In addition, a quick-load feeder and Epson Garment Creator Software improves productivity, while the new integrated self-cleaning system means less downtime.
Earlier this year, Kornit Digital unveiled a new DTS product, the Kornit Avalanche HD6, a high-productivity printing system meant for use with online printers and global production networks. The Avalanche HD6 is equipped with Kornit’s HD print engine and NeoPigmentM Rapid ink, leading to significant reductions in ink consumption.