Focus on Digital Printing


To UV or not to UV? That really is the question


Opening this month’s focus on digital printing is Jim Nicol, managing director of TheMagicTouch. In this article he takes a look at the difference between white-toner technology and UV printing.


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opportunities and advantages created by increasing the range of non-garment B2B products available to existing and future customers.


would like to take this opportunity to remind the garment decoration industry of the many


when so many products being produced have reached saturation point in terms of availability and most of which can also be produced using our existing direct to substrate transfer process.


In business today, profit margins have generally reduced, markets are more competitive, costs have risen and the range of products demanded by customers has increased. This combined with lower order value and quicker fulfilment expectation all contributes to changing markets. Hence, now is the time to review the best affordable options for the future.


For those considering adding to their product portfolio, there is no single print solution that prints everything, but a very clear choice exists today between toner- based direct printing and UV printer technology. Both technologies allow full colour imaging on to bottles, phone cases, notebooks, wood, MDF, acrylic, metal, leather, glass etc. but with a significant entry-level price difference.


Many current users of industrial UV print technology have been very successful and seen a good return on investment, however equally as many have struggled to master the technology or indeed focus their sales and marketing to keep the printers busy and to maintain good margins.


In a market driven by technology and closely aligned with return on investment, the white-toner transfer process remains one of the best entry-level solutions. A good branded UV printer will cost around £20k, whereas the white-toner entry-level cost remains at only £2k. One important factor to always remember, internet sellers are unable to compete with traditional selling methods that enable the customer to touch and feel the product before purchasing. Too many customers order personalised and promotional products online only to be disappointed. Submitting a personalised sample for evaluation is not only pro- active and appreciated by recipients, itʼs also tax deductible as part of any marketing budget.


Over recent years we have considered UV printers to resell but nothing in my personal view made commercial sense


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


Another important aspect to consider between the technologies is on-going running costs especially when the manufacturerʼs warranty expires. Take into consideration replacement UV print heads and the cost of any extended warranty. Recent additional accessories for UV printing for the decoration of bottles and cylindrical objects are considered by many as over-engineered and overpriced, as the finished product can be decorated using the existing TMT technology for a fraction of the cost and speed.


One distinct advantage of UV ink technology is the ability to create a textured feel to the printed surface,


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highlighted in the production of Braille- based surface products. However, this niche application is not commonly used due to the considerable increase in ink cost and production time involved. The marketing potential to directly transfer print onto non-garments offers great opportunity across many markets. The toner-based option obviously also offers the advantage of being able to use the full range of transfer papers from TheMagicTouch to decorate almost any garment, any colour, quickly and very cost effectively.


Future markets are being created in front of us and the bottom line is simple; offering a wider range of products and services to your existing customers offers them benefits of the convenience of a multi- product supplier assisting in customer loyalty and satisfaction.


TheMagicTouch and BagBase’s digital printing collaboration


heMagicTouch recently conducted a print evaluation on BagBaseʼs new bags and accessories to highlight the ease of transfer printing and the low cost per transfer for the various items. TheMagicTouchʼs technical team created and applied an extensive range of transfers produced using 123Flex, MagiCut Flock, Reflective, Printable Soldark and full colour WoW toner- based transfer products. Traditionally most promotional products are decorated using either pad/ screen printing or embroidery and will indeed continue to be so. However, with the increasing demand for full colour logos, lower order size and quicker turnaround demands, TheMagicTouch transfer process offers a flexible and affordable option for all decorators.


Clear Grab Pouch (BG8)


The new 2019 BagBase collection is comprised of contemporary colourways and original fabrics. From travel sets made from a leather-look PU to accessory pouches, waist packs, tote bags and laptop cases made from 600D polyester. Not to mention some styles made from polyester felt and a new and unique transparent TPU material offering superb quality branding opportunities for the promotions and fashion market.


One key factor established during the research was the importance to avoid any marking or scorching to the products while applying the transfers using traditional heat press methods. This important issue is very relevant with higher value products and expected high print quality expectations from customers. With most items being very sensitive to heat and pressure this issue is solved with application temperatures as low as 110-120⁰C. Another massive advantage is the ability to maximise each sheet of transfer paper to the point where the cost per full colour transfer is below 25p each.


While never being considered as the total solution


Boutique Accessory Pouch (BG750)


for product decoration TheMagicTouch offers some great alternative options at very affordable prices in both printers and cutters together with transfer papers and flex products.


October 2019 | 51 |


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