SPGPrints, one of the leading technology manufacturers of rotary and digital printing, exhibited innovations developed for both printing segments at ITMA 2019. While the digital solutions with live demos were the main focus of the company, new screens developed for rotary printing were shared with the visitors. The 1500 m2 SPGPrints booth has become a stopover point for professionals and decision makers in the textile printing business.
The company focus was the ever developing digital solutions. PIKE, a single-pass digital textile printer based on SPGPrints’ Archer technology, and JAVELIN, a scanning digital textile printing machine, demonstrated their performance with upgraded features. On the other hand, the new screens developed for rotary printing, OrtaScreen® and RandomScreen® Eco, open the door to new applications in traditional printing. We talked with SPGPrints Turkey General Manager Hakan Uzman about the works of the company and new solutions. Explaining that the exhibition was very successful for them, Uzman underlined that the Turkish textile industry continues to be interested in new investments and new technologies despite the challenging conditions. Uzman said; “We were very pleased with the number of Turkish visitors we met at the fair and the high profile of these visitors. We aim to turn these negotiations into net sales in the coming period”.
When to choose rotation, when to choose digital?
“In ITMA 2019, we have really promoted printing,” said Hakan Uzman, and went on saying in the light of new developments, the comparison between rotary and digital printing has reached new dimensions. Uzman said; “We talked with our visitors about when to use rotary, and under which conditions digital printing should be used. Apparently rotary is a technology that has been used for more than 50 years and has proven itself globally. Digital solutions are quickly accepted, even if they are relatively new. It will not be wrong to say that we have talked about today and tomorrow of the printing business with textile manufacturers”.
Although digital has a total share of 8% in the global printing market, it is annually growing 20%, while the rotary market grew by 3% annually according to Uzman. Explaining that they frequently hear the question ‘Is rotary over?’ Uzman continued saying; “Of course it’s not over. Demand continues in rotary and the market continues to grow. New products are getting launched. On an opposing side to that, digital printing achieves double digit growth. There are points where two printing techniques are advantageous. That is why we have shown clearly during ITMA that we are concentrating on innovation in both areas”.
Introducing 2 new screen templates for rotary printing
SPGPrints exhibited 2 new screens developed for rotary printing within the Screen Experience Centre area of their booth at ITMA. The OrtaScreen® exhibited by the company has an orthogonal structure and a 195 mesh resolution, while the RandomScreen® Eco has a 125 mesh resolution. The screens developed by SPGPrints have universal features that ensure compatibility with all rotary printers.
Hakan Uzman explained that it is possible to print patterns that were previously impossible with the orthogonal structure of the OrtaScreen®. Uzman stated that these advantages in filmdruck technique were transferred to nickel screens; “We got incredibly good results with the OrtaScreen®. In the past, when printing geometric patterns, distressing effects such as barking appeared, but we have now overcome them. We can claim that there will be at least one box of OrtaScreen® in every textile business. This screen, which made a significant improvement in print quality; came into play at the point where rotary printing was blocked and opened up a new alley”.
Expressing that they expect, especially Turkish textile manufacturers, to be interested in RandomScreen® Eco; Uzman explained the advantages to be obtained as follows; “This screen with Nova technology saves 20-25% paste in pigment printing and 10-15% paste in reactive printing thanks to its special hole design. The less you use paste, the faster and easier to dry. Savings in this regard also indicate that you are sensitive to the environment. The RandomScreen® Eco is ideal for large volumes such as home textiles and high-end productions such as fast-fashion”.
The main focus for SPGPrints is digital printing technologies
SPGPrints has focused on the rapidly developing digital printing market. The company showed the performance of the machines to the visitors with live demo presentations and informed them in detail. The main point that differentiates the company’s printers is the Archer technology. Developed on this technology base, the (single-pass) digital textile printer PIKE and the scanning digital textile printing machine JAVELIN address the desired volume and productivity in the textile and the variety of fabrics. Hakan Uzman said the following about the development of digital technologies;
“Digital printing technologies transforms every 5 to 7 years. Thanks to the unique ink jetting system Archer technology; our customers continue to upgrade their heads and electronics even after they have purchased the machines. In other words, the machine continues to develop even after being sold. These machines are equipped with 1200 dpi Fuji Diamatix Samba printheads with silicone MEMs technology. Significant improvements in PIKE, which was launched at the previous ITMA 2015 and JAVELIN; which was launched at ITM 2016, attracted the attention of visitors at this exhibition. Continous R&D and market responses show that we are taking the right steps”.
Noting that they have signed many joint work with print head manufacturers in order to support the development of textile printing; Uzman expressed that the ongoing joint efforts in this regard will shape the technologies of the future. Uzman added that the ITMA visitors had the chance to see these work closely; at the Technical Vision Centre of their booth.