ImagesMagUK_Digital_Edition_March_2018

[Left] Akil Thathia with the Kornit Storm Hexa www.images-magazine.com MARCH 2018 images 83 DIGITAL PRINTING Snuggle: Kornit StormHexa, from Adelco Akil Thathia, director Tell us a bit about your business We started the company back in 2011 and began by doing lots of work for SMEs in our local area from contacts that I had from my previous business. From there we have grown substantially and now offer a range of printing services to trade customers. We use a wide array of printing methods in the company from DTG for our clothing and accessories to UV printing for our mobile phone and tablet cases, all the way to sublimation printing for bags, mouse mats and mugs. We have a white label dropshipping service available where we can send orders directly to our customers’ customers, and also offer overflow, bulk and contract printing services for larger orders. We work with and provide services to companies of all sizes from small start-up companies to established larger companies, and pride ourselves on our print quality and customer service. What digital printing system do you use? When we started the company we used Polyprint printers. We had six, but outgrew them and needed something that would offer that little bit more in terms of workflow, ease of production, speed and quality. We now use the Kornit Storm Hexa machines. We currently have two (we bought the latest in September 2017) and are hoping to purchase our third machine at some point this year. Our total investment is circa £450,000. Why did you choose your current system? We chose the Kornit machines for multiple reasons, the main ones being the Hexa range has two more colours than a conventional printer (red and green), which means you can print with a much wider colour gamut, leading to brighter, more vibrant and colourful prints; no need for a separate machine to pre-treat the shirts; ease of production, as we only need to have one step; and reliable track record for service and support. Is there anything you’d like to see in an upgrade or don’t particularly like about it? The RIP software that is supplied with the printer can be a bit buggy at times. Also, the final feel of the inks can sometimes be a bit almost tacky – if that could be removed, it would be great. What’s it like to use? Do you have any tips on how to get the most out of it? The printers are very easy to use and work hard even when pushed at our busiest peak seasons when they run almost 24 hours a day, but like anything they need careful maintenance and looking after. If you ensure that the machine is well cleaned and greased and if you create a good maintenance schedule based around your workflows, building and usage, it is the best way to ensure consistent, high quality results. What is it used for – what size runs and type of work? We use the printers for a wide array of jobs from a print run of thousands for charity events to individual orders for our drop shipping customers. The beauty of a digital system is the flexibility, diversity and variety of jobs that we are able to use them for and the ease of changing between different fabrics and garment types. What would be your advice to others thinking of buying a digital printing system? Don’t! Contact us and we can print it for you! No, but on a serious note, a digital printing system can give you a lot of flexibility and open many doors and avenues. They do require work with your artwork, which does need to be made correctly in order to achieve optimum results. The vast range of garments and materials you can print on is a massive advantage that a digital printing system offers, but remember the key is to ensure you always wash-test your garments to ensure the longevity of your prints. www.snuggleprinting.co.uk