ImagesMagUK_Digital_Edition_Feb18

W hile digital print may still account for a small fraction of the global textile printing market, if there was any doubt that DTG printing technology is shaping, and will continue to shape, the future of garment decoration in the UK, it was blown away by the activity of DTG machinery and inks brands in January. Epson, Kornit and Ricoh announced new machines, while recent entrant to the DTG market, Shima Seiki, announced a new agreement with DTG ink and machinery stalwarts Resolute to increase the penetration of its innovative high-end SIP-160F3 flatbed printer in the UK market. Much like the Brother GTX, which launched to much acclaim last summer, the new year machine launches from Epson (SureColor SC-F2100) and Kornit (Ava- lanche HD6 and HDK) move these companies’ existing direct-to-garment tech- nologies along apace, making DTG more capable, competitive and cost-effective for an even larger number of potential users. For start-ups, retail stores, on-site event printing outfits, schools etc, the new Ricoh Ri 100 is a potential game-changer. With a predicted price around the low £3000s mark, this compact new machine throws open the DTG doors to anyone who is looking for a low-cost entry into direct printing on garments, bags and other textile items. Using proven Ricoh/AnaJet inks and featuring a modular ink curing unit that does away with the need for a heat press, the unit is the same size as a small conventional desktop printer and promises to refresh the parts of the market other DTG printers cannot reach. (See Industry News, starting on page 6, for full details of all the new DTG machinery launches.) Direct-to-garment may be constantly nibbling away at the textile screen printing market – manufacturers are now talking of DTG competing on runs of up to 500 pieces – but screen remains strong, both for low cost mid- to long-runs and also as the chosen process of the industry’s artisans. Our annual screen printing machinery showcase (starting on page 54) reviews the current equipment options for a process that remains dear to our hearts, while Marshall Atkinson advises how to turbocharge your print shop and get the most from your machinery in 2018 (pages 31-33). One garment decorator that shares our fascination with screen print is Alex Greig of newly formed Supreme Screen. Having diversified and built up his original print- ing business, Alex came close to losing everything through some cruel twists of fate, before turning things round with a return to what he loves doing best – screen printing on garments. You can read his inspiring story on page 26. Jonathan Vince Refreshing the parts other DTG printers cannot reach Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, Lioncare House, Hove, BN3 3WL, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | images is available free of charge to UK subscribers | Subscribe / unsubscribe / update contact details online: www.images-magazine.com Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd | Goat Mill Road,Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD ( issn 0966 7512) Follow images on social media: ImagesMagUK Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. FEBRUARY 2018 | VOL.27 NO.2 ST EDITORIAL www.images-magazine.com FEBRUARY 2018 images 05 FEBRUARY 11-13, 2018 Pure London 2018 Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX purelondon.com FEBRUARY 15-17, 2018 TV TecStyle Visions 2018 Messe Stuttgart, Messepiazza 1, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany tecstyle-visions.com FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1, 2018 Coactive Newtech London South Hilton London Croydon, 101 Waddon Way, Purley Way, Croydon CR9 4HH coactiveevents.com MARCH 21-22, 2018 Coactive Newtech Sheffield Sheffield DoubleTree Hilton, Chesterfield Rd S, Sheffield S8 8BW coactiveevents.com APRIL 24-26, 2018 Sign & Digital 2018 Halls 17 & 18, NEC, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT signuk.com MAY 15-18, 2018 Fespa 2018 Messe Berlin, Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin, Germany fespa.com JUNE 27-30, 2018 New Designers - Part 1 Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London N1 0QH newdesigners.com SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 Merchandise World: Peak Season Event Farnborough International, Show Centre, Hall 1, ETPS Road, Farnborough GU14 6FD merchandiseworld.co.uk SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2018 The Print Show NEC, Hall 9, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT theprintshow.co.uk OCTOBER 18-20, 2018 SGIA 2018 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA sgia.org JUNE 20-26, 2019 ITMA 2019 Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain itma.com DIARY