p75 IGS Machinery:Layout 1 18/08/2009 09:02 Page 75
MACHINERY NEWS
Direct-to-garment textile printing
takes a leap
forward
Developments in the direct-to-garment industry are
gathering pace and one company,
IGS-UK Digital Ltd is turning the tables on the
competition by bringing two exclusive
new products to the market.
W
ith the demise of U S Screen, IGS-UK was development, testing was intense with hundreds of to Ian and said ‘that has to be a good sign‘. We
faced with a rocky path, no printer to sell, shirts printed and washed.” were desperate to find a suitable printer to sell in
no ink to sell, and not much to look According to IGS, the development of StayBright4 the UK if we were to be successful.”
forward to. But with such strong interest and an Professional Direct to Garment ink is the biggest The meeting at Groener started well; almost
excellent response at the Printwear & Promotion step forward for the d-t-g market since the original instantly a rapport developed between the four
Show 2009, IGS-UK were determined to pull concept was developed over six years ago. people in the boardroom. It was obvious that
through and continue to increase their foothold in IGS-UK partnered with a specialist ink Bernd Groener and Uwe Solner-Frasch shared the
the d-t-g market. They needed to pull a rabbit out manufacturer with over 30 years experience in the same enthusiasm as Colin and Ian about the
of a hat to succeed, and they did – twice! garment decoration industry and development of direct-to-garment process.
“With the launch of two new products IGS-UK StayBright4 was under way. Developing this new “We had not intended to mention the StayBright4
have covered all three of the main issues ink, designed to eliminate some of the inherent ink we have exclusive rights for in Europe, as we
associated with the direct-to-garment process, problems associated with the d-t-g print process already knew Groener were users of DuPont
with exceptional results,” said the company‘s Colin was a serious task. Problems like white ink Artistri. However, during the meeting it felt so
Marsh. clogging, washing durability and unreliable right, we jumped in feet first and offered Groener
“IGS-UK was invited to get involved in developing machines were the three biggest pitfalls associated exclusive rights to sell our new ink in Germany
a new d-t-g ink, designed to eliminate some of the with the direct-to-garment print process when IGS- and promptly whipped out the printed sample
inherent problems associated with the process. UK took on the challenge. garments. This turned out to be one of the best
White ink clogging and washing durability were With the launch of their exclusive ink - the first gambles we have ever taken.”
the two problems they hoped to address. During serious competitor in Europe - they pulled the first Adds Colin: “In response Bernd Groener
rabbit out of the hat. StayBright4 not only offers announced they had designed their own direct-to-
an economical alternative to other d-t-g ink, it is garment printer and it was being manufactured 30
superior in a number of respects. It is especially minutes away in Germany. They were searching for
developed to reduce clogs in the print head and a new ink to complement the launch with the
dampers. Reduced separation technology cuts printer, to enable them to have their own complete
down on waste, improves quality and speeds up brand. Within hours of landing in Germany our
production. Manufactured in Europe, the search for a reliable, unique, direct-to-garment
distribution costs are much less than importing printer was over. It had no name yet but the first
from the USA, keeping the price down and the production unit was being tested. Groener offered
quality up. In the current economical climate IGS- IGS-UK an exclusive UK dealership for the printer
UK have come up with a product that not only in return for our offer of the ink.”
saves garment decorators money, but also offers Shortly afterwards the printer was named and the
greater wash ability and light fastness. Rainbow Textile Printer was born.
The ink alone was an amazing step forward, but “With rabbit number two firmly pulled from the
the rocky path was in no way smooth yet. hat we set off back to the UK to develop the
A new printer was desperately needed to brand in partnership with Groener,” continues
compliment the StayBright4 ink. Colin.
Ian Bennett was on a scheduled visit to Groener in By the time this article is published launch of the
Germany for a discussion covering an existing Rainbow brand will already be well under way.
direct-to-garment printer and the possibility to With the help of
Groener.de, IGS-UK has taken
bring it to the UK market; Colin Marsh was direct-to-garment printing one step further. When
accompanying Ian for technical evaluation and others gave up and quit, they have managed to
advanced training. turn the tables and continue to lead in the UK
Continues Colin: “As we trundled across the direct-to-garment industry.
Tarmac to the terminal at Stuttgart airport, the
whole bus shouted ‘Look at that!’. It was a natural For more information contact IGS-UK Digital Ltd on
phenomena I have never seen before, a double 077484 85000, email:
colin.marsh@igs-uk.com or
rainbow in the shape of a huge letter m. I turned visit
www.igs-uk.com
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk September 2009 | 75 |
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