Images Magazine Digital Edition May 2018

John uses an M&R Sprint Dryer DRYERS, CALENDARS AND HEAT PRESSES www.images-magazine.com 56 images MAY 2018 Telling it like it is: heat curing systems Eight decorators tell Images how their chosen dryer, calendar or heat press is working out for them Fashion Flo: M&R Sprint Dryer fromDave Roper Somerset Contract Print Services: Tesoma Drylight fromMHMDirect GB John Gaffney, production manager Tell us a bit about your business We brand for the tourist market plus contract and some online since the late 1980s. We also do embroidery and digital, in fact we do almost everything in-house to do with textiles, and a small amount of poster printing. What dryers did you buy? We use all M&R machinery; last October we got two of the latest Sprint dryers along with another 10-head Sportsman Jason Gould, director Tell us a bit about your business We are a garment printer based in Frome, Somerset, that mainly prints T-shirts for the music promotion and workwear sectors. What dryer did you buy and why? We have a Tesoma Drylight. We spoke to a few guys in the trade who were using them and the feedback was excellent. After seeing a few in operation, we decided to go that way. What are its advantages? It comfortably runs two autos and deals with every garment we have put through it. Tunnel dryers can be the ‘eye-sore’ piece of equipment in this industry, however I feel Tesoma has smashed it with the sleek look of its dryers. The even temperature in the oven is fantastic, it cures the inks without any issues and even preserves the neck label life. It copes with conventional plastisol as well as water-based and discharge inks. My lads have even been known to send their lunch through it and the feedback is great, cheese on toast and hot cross buns work really well. It’s cool to touch on the outside so is not a heat source for the building, unlike our old dryer. What machines do you use in combination with your dryer? We currently run two autos: a monster MHM SP3000 14-colour, 18-station and a small TAS. What would you say to other thinking of buying a dryer? For others looking to invest I would certainly recommend that they buy Tesoma – it does exactly what it says on the tin. www.somersetprintco.com plus the latest direct-to-screen printer. The dryers cost £28,000 each. They are up to date tech-wise, and they are easy to use and maintain: hit two buttons to start and away they go until closing time! What are their advantages? We have five M&R printing machines along with the Sprint dryers. Since we’ve introduced the dryers we’ve found that they have helped reduce our gas bill a lot as they are far more economical to run – the ones they replaced were over 20 years old. What would you say to others thinking of buying a dryer? Anything to do with M&R is going in the right direction in my eyes regarding reliability and service plus holding their value. www.fashionflo.ie Jason with the Tesoma Drylight