Star product: Resolute R-Jet Pro DTF

What does it do?

Claimed to be a “game-changer” by its developer, the Resolute R-Jet Professional DTF is a digital inkjet system that prints warmth transfers onto particular movie, supposed primarily for adorning textile clothes. It’s suited to cotton, polyester, high-viz, workwear and sportswear. It may also be used to brighten onerous substrates, packaging and promotional gadgets – the place a product may be positioned below a warmth press.

When was it launched and what’s the goal market?

It was formally launched in February this yr after subject testing throughout 2020. It’s being promoted as an alternative choice to present DTG applied sciences. Resolute founder Colin Marsh says: “The system outperforms typical DTG printing, sublimation, white toner and print-and-cut strategies in each velocity and prices. It is usually very talked-about with display printers as there isn’t any pre-treatment required. It has a smaller footprint than an automated carousel and requires just one individual to run it.”

The primary person was Identification Printing in Manchester, which already had three Ricoh DTG inkjets from Resolute. Zar Ali, manufacturing supervisor, says: “The movie switch offers a very nice clear end, not like DTG the place if the fibres are tough they spoil the standard and it’s important to maintain cleansing the printheads.

“There’s no pre-treatment. It simply takes quarter-hour to heat up within the morning. We do gym-wear polyesters with it too and there’s no stretching or cracking even at most.”

How does it work?

The system contains a roll-fed A3 format inkjet with twin Epson OEM printheads that print twin CMYK plus twin white onto particular movie. After printing the movie and semi-cured ink is fed to an inline ending unit that applies a heat-activated adhesive powder to the ink, which is then lastly warmth cured. 

The movie photographs are then transferred to the substrate utilizing a regular warmth press, often taking 15 seconds at 130-165°C. No pre-treatment or weeding is required. Small photographs may be ganged and reduce for particular person software.

Marsh says: “The Resolute Premium DTF ink is a water-based hybrid ink, pigmented however with the traits of latex for sturdiness and softness.” These produce vibrant prints with glorious stretch and sturdiness within the wash, he says. “The important thing to the product’s success is the mix of high-quality movie coating that reacts with the ink and adhesive throughout curing. With a gamut vary twice that of conventional DTG inks the colors produced are usually not solely vibrant but in addition correct.”

Resolute’s personal movie is really useful because it “is profiled and is exclusive to its sturdiness within the wash,” Marsh says. “Different movies can be utilized however the efficiency will likely be affected.”

The printer is equipped with the Resolute RIP Professional software program, providing automated picture nesting, variable knowledge, barcode job creation and job costing in addition to driving the printer.

Does it change an earlier product?

No, that is the one Resolute DTG printer to make use of the movie switch course of. 

What’s the USP?

“The R-Jet Professional DTF’s USP is the mix of unique own-brand consumables coupled with my 40 years’ expertise within the printing trade,” says Marsh. “Plenty of onerous work and funding has gone into ensuring the R-Jet Professional DTF outperforms different techniques while retaining a really aggressive value.”

How briskly/productive is it?

Marsh says: “It may produce in extra of 1,000 chest prints per hour of 100x90mm when operating in full manufacturing mode. Two operators and two warmth presses can produce round 900 completed clothes per hour, together with loading and unloading. In a 5 hour print run this equates to 4,500 completed clothes.”

What coaching and help is accessible?

“The system requires solely a day’s coaching as it’s a very simple automated course of,” says Marsh. “Distant help and on-site help is included by Resolute’s personal technicians.” 

What does it value and the way is it bought?

The R-Jet Professional DTG system prices £14,950. Ink is accessible in 1,000ml and 500ml bottles, priced at £75 per litre. Marsh says that a mean A4 sheet produced with DTF prices round 30p.

Merchandise may be ordered from Resolute, however the agency additionally has a gross sales association with The Magic Contact, a Dunstable-based specialist in transfers for textiles and different substrates. 

What number of are in use?

“The UK set up base has already exceeded 50 and is ready to hit 100 earlier than the tip of this yr,” says Marsh. “We’re presently in talks with a big US-based agency as an unique accomplice for the R-Jet Professional DTF system.” 

SPECIFICATIONS

Printable width 580mm

Output 16m/hour at 1,800dpi

Colors 5 (twin CMYK plus twin white)

Ink kind Water-based pigmented ink

Ink system Bulk feed

Printheads Two eight-channel Epson OEM

Footprint 2×3.6m

Software program Resolute RIP Professional

Worth £16,950

Contact Resolute DTG 01246 202686 www.resolute.ink/r-jet-pro-dtf The Magic Contact 01582 671444 www.themagictouch.co.uk

ALTERNATIVES

Marsh believes there isn’t any direct different when it comes to functionality. Nevertheless there are a number of established different processes, even when they don’t seem to be direct equivalents. All use warmth presses to switch and repair the picture to the textile. 

OKI Pro8432wt with Area Management

A package deal of an OKI toner printer that gives CMY plus white choices along with The Magic Contact’s Area Management software program for switch creation and color ordering. It’s appropriate for many cloth sorts in addition to solids reminiscent of mugs, and so on. 

Format A3-plus

Colors CMY plus white or CMYK

Software program Inside PostScript 3 Rip

Worth £3,695

Contact The Magic Contact 01582 671444 www.themagictouch.com

Brother GT361

The GT361 inkjet presents CMYK plus twin white on a platen printer with interchangeable shapes for various clothes. Pre-treatment is required for colored clothes. 

Max printing space 35x40cm

Colors CMYK plus twin white

Software program Home windows printer driver

Worth £7,995

Contact MHM Direct 0115 944 2285 www.mhmdirect.co.uk

Epson SC-F2100

The entry degree Epson DTG printer makes use of pigment inks and supplies interchangeable platens to help clothes as much as t-shirt measurement. Pre-treatment is required for darkish materials. 

Course of Inkjet with aqueous pigment inks

Colors CMYK plus white

Software program Mac and Home windows printer drivers

Worth £13,194

Contact Epson UK 01442 261144 www.epson.co.uk