Images_Digital_Edition_April_2020

DIGITAL PRINTING www.images-magazine.com 90 images APRIL 2020 James Harding, R&D director Tell us a bit about your business Located on the scenic Wild Atlantic Way on the north-west coast of Ireland, Pixalili is a textile printing and design studio that depends on digital printing systems to produce bespoke fabrics for designers, artists and Etsy entrepreneurs. Pixalili typically produces short runs or one-offs of lampshades, deckchairs, table linen and cushion covers, with its own designs also available on items such as upholstery – showcased each summer in our own pop-up shop. What is the latest digital printing system you’ve bought? We bought the new HP Stitch to expand our business and to offer more choice to our existing and new customers. Formerly, Pixalili was only able to offer designs printed on natural fabrics such as linen, cotton and bamboo. With growing demand for products such as velvet cushions, chiffon scarves and stretch jersey for baby clothes, the business decided to look at dye sublimation, a compatible technology for these polyester materials. Did you look at any other systems first? We looked at Roland, Epson and GoTX roll-to-roll. The Pixalili team attended print industry events in Germany and the UK to explore the options for dye sublimation, finally choosing the HP Stitch S300 after seeing a demonstration at The Print Show in September 2019 by HP supplier R A Smart. Why did you choose the HP Stitch? It opens up new avenues for us while giving our existing customers more choice. Having the ability to maintain the HP Stitch, including changing print heads ourselves, was a big decider – we are in a remote location, and this means we don’t need to bring technicians over from the UK each time we need to change print heads. Is there anything you’d like to see in an upgrade or don’t like about it? Not at all. Pixalili: HP Stitch fromR A Smart HP Stitch dye sublimation printers deliver super-fast and predictable colour matching What’s it like to use? We love the Stitch, the software is user-friendly and has features such as colour-changing artwork. HP Stitch dye sublimation printers deliver super- fast and predictable colour matching either via transfer or direct-to-fabric methods from one single device, with a range of compatible applications including sportswear, fashion, interior décor and soft signage. Its smart technology for unattended printing, exceptional quality of print and easy self-maintenance made it the perfect choice for Pixalili. We are really in love with the Stitch since its installation in the autumn of 2019. We sent samples to valued customers to show them what we can now offer and the response has been fantastic. We can see the Stitch being very, very busy. Creative director Noreen Harding with the HP Stitch Thanks to the HP Stitch we can become a one-stop-shop for existing customers and respond to demands from new buyers and markets. We would like to give a shout out to R A Smart: their customer support is brilliant. They are always at the other end of the phone to talk you through any queries. The technician who provided the training was also excellent – very patient and made sure we all understood how to use this new system. What work is it used for? We use it for printing our new range of fabrics, including velvet. As we are on-demand we can print as little or as much as our customers want, with no wastage. What other machines do you have? We have the dGen TX1800 direct-to- textile – this machine prints direct to textile on all plant-based fibres with eco-friendly pigment inks. What would be your advice to others thinking of buying a similar system? If at all possible, make a site visit before you buy and be comfortable that the support is there on an on- going basis. www.pixalili.com