Roland DGA, a provider of wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters and other decorating equipment, has announced the North American launch of the Roland DG TY-300, a direct-to-film (DTF) printer engineered for exceptional image quality, productivity and cost-efficiency.

The Roland DG TY-300 direct-to-film printer

The TY-300 delivers vibrant, detailed transfer graphics for apparel customization at speeds up to four times faster than competitive models while minimizing running costs, according to Roland DGA.

DTF transfer is a relatively new decorating technique but has gained tremendous popularity. The process involves four steps: After printing on a special film, hot-melt powder is applied and thermally melted, then the film is layered on fabric and heat-pressed. One of the primary reasons the method is becoming popular is that it allows complex printed designs and even smaller text to be transferred effectively to a wide range of materials, including cotton, polyester and denim.

“The TY-300 takes DTF transfer printing to a whole new level,” said Daniel Valade, Roland DGA’s product manager of digital print. “It produces more with less, enabling users to increase production and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality. Plus, in addition to the TY-300 printer, we offer all the other components needed to produce stunning customized apparel and textiles, including an optional Roland DG tested and approved shaker oven, as well as inks, powder, and transfer media – all made to optimize DTF output.”

The TY-300 boasts newly developed printheads that allow for the precise expression of fine lines, small letters and detailed designs, as well as highly accurate photo reproduction. The staggered layout of the two large printheads enables printing white, essential for apparel printing, with high productivity of 133 square feet per hour in production mode. Output quality is further enhanced by the availability of two profiles with different white densities for optimal printing according to the color of the fabric.

Roland DGA also recently launched the TrueVIS XP-640 High-Speed Eco-Solvent Printer, a professional-level wide-format inkjet that the company said offers unparalleled image quality and superior productivity.

“Our fastest TrueVIS printer to date, the XP-640 is uniquely engineered to maximize production capability while maintaining the amazing color and print quality that has become the hallmark of the TrueVIS product family,” Valade said. “This next-generation inkjet incorporates several exciting innovations, including new printheads, upgraded control technology and new inks to provide users with the best of both worlds – outstanding speed and stunning output.”

The XP-640’s newly designed dual staggered printheads eject finer ink droplets at higher densities to produce incredibly vibrant, detailed graphics with fewer passes. New high-speed data control functionality further enhances the performance of the printheads, enabling the XP-640 to print at speeds of up to 818 square feet per hour.

Ninja Transfers Offers Easy Peel Technology

Philadelphia-based Ninja Transfers (asi/73060) has a solution to help save time with DTF. The company’s Easy Peel technology enables decorators to apply transfers two to four times faster than typical, according to the company.

Easy Peel allows decorators to peel “hot and slow,” rather than “hot and fast,” increasing accuracy and confidence. Traditional methods often require lightning-fast pulling to ensure the transfer is applied correctly, but this can put the product at risk, according to Ninja Transfers. With Easy Peel, customers can peel smoothly while the material is still hot, eliminating time spent waiting for the product to cool, but greatly reducing the risk of errors.

The film is also double-matted, so it minimizes the risk of misaligned prints, tearing when pulling and incomplete transfers. This is particularly beneficial for intricate designs and high-detail artwork.

Stahls’ Highlights Corvallis Custom in Oregon

Stahls’ (asi/88984) highlights inspiring stories of successful businesses in its Heat Press Transformation series.

Stahls’ (asi/88984), the St. Clair Shores, MI-based supplier of heat-printing technology and heat transfers, featured Oregon-based custom-apparel business Corvallis Custom in a recent episode of Heat Press Transformation.

The episode explains how Stahls’ technology has transformed Corvallis Custom’s print-on-demand operations and opened doors to new markets, including the fast-growing name, image and likeness sector.

“The flexibility of Stahls’ allows us to provide our customers with one-offs or large runs,” said Jon Freeby, co-owner of Corvallis Custom. “The heat press technology is so reliable and effective it’s become an indispensable part of our production.”

Watch full episodes on the Stahls’ blog.