Anyone looking to either get started in garment decoration or enhance their existing set-up should pay Printwear & Promotion LIVE! a visit this year. The exhibition is regarded by many as the annual launch pad for new equipment and in 2022 there will be plenty to see demoed live.

Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2022 returns to Hall 20 of Birmingham’s NEC on 20-22 February. Every year, the exhibition plays host to a raft of new equipment launches and technologies. And this year is no exception.

Direct to film printing

Processes in garment decoration are continually evolving and direct to film printing is the latest method in this evolution. The process uses a specific kind of water-based ink to print a film transfer, which is then transferred directly onto garments and other substrates. The process is seen as an alternative to direct to garment printing, which first entered the scene 15 years ago.

At the last P&P LIVE! in 2020, direct to film printing wasn’t even on the horizon. Now in 2022, numerous exhibitors will be showcasing the very latest direct to film printers and processes.

Both TheMagicTouch and Resolute DTG will be showcasing the R-Jet PRO DTF – a standalone wide format printer. The transfers produce vibrant images with no requirement for pre-treatment. The printer is a joint venture between the two companies, with both stocking and supplying the associated films and inks required.

TheMagicTouch will also have on stand the new Mutoh/STS VJ-628D printer.

The 630mm wide compact desktop printer, manufactured by Mutoh in Japan, is based on Mutoh’s proven Valuejet 628 8-channel printer chassis and Epson industrial print head.

Jim Nicol, managing director at TheMagicTouch, says: “Having considered over the past 12 months the great response and uptake of DTF technology, combined with the success of those now using the process in production environments, we must ensure we can offer the right solution for specific customer needs.

“The existing R-Jet PRO DTF printer is truly fantastic and offers real transfer production capabilities up to 15sq m/hr but we strongly feel the size and space requirement is restrictive for many potential users. This new desktop option is perfect despite the slower production speed.”

Another stand to visit to see DTF printing in action is R A Smart. The machinery supplier will be showcasing a full DTF solution on stand. R A Smart has partnered with a pioneering producer of the entire DTF package, with patented ink and application technology developed over the past four years.

 

 

DTF printing is also made possible through the modification of DTG printers.

YES Group will be introducing the new DTG Q Series; a hybrid DTG and DTF printer. The DTG Q Series prints 100% inline with white and colour inks in just one pass and is designed to produce high volume, low cost printed garments. It is built with an automatic vacuum platen for speed loading and patented white ink flush system. A first for DTG Digital, this printer also prints onto film, making the DTG Q Series a true hybrid, converting to DTF without changing inks or platens producing high-quality transfers instantly.

Over on J&B Sewing Machine Co’s stand, the team will be demonstrating how users of the Epson SureColor SC-F2100 and SureColor SC-F2000 can transform these printers into direct to film printers. Using Ecofreen PET films and Ecofreen hot melt adhesive powder, users can print onto the film and transfer onto any kind of fabric, including cotton, polyester, nylon and leather.

Also showcasing the benefits of DTG printer adaption for DTF printing will be Amaya Sales UK using the Polyprint Texjet. Plus, MHM Direct GB, using the Brother GTX series.

Print equipment

Direct to garment printing, screen printing and transfer printing will all see new product releases at P&P LIVE! First up is Roland DG, which will be launching the Texart XT-640S-DTG. This multi-station DTG garment printer prints full-colour graphics directly onto cotton-based T-shirts and apparel in as little as eight seconds.

Paul Willems, Roland DG’s director of business development and product management EMEA, says; “The new Texart XT-640S-DTG is another great example of the opportunities offered by Roland digital technology. Its speed, accuracy and versatility make it ideal for garment suppliers moving from screen printing to digital, those already running multiple DTG machines, brands bringing production in-house, garment embroidery businesses looking to diversify their product offering, and many more. The digital DTG printing market is set to grow and grow, and we’re looking forward to helping more of our customers join it.”

MHM Direct GB will be demonstrating the first DTG printer designed specifically for mass production. The Brother GTX600 features ink recirculation in four key areas; a built-in humidifier; increased print speed; increased auto cleaning frequency; and reduced ink wastage.

The next-generation Epson SureColor SC-F3000 will receive its exhibition debut on Xpres’ stand in February. This production-level machine speedily delivers up to 60 full platen dark T-shirt prints per hour, alongside top of the range quality with industry low ink costs; partly due to a 9L capacity bulk ink system alongside 1.5L ink pouches.

 

 

In terms of screen printing, H.G. Kippax & Sons will be showcasing the Thunder.

This industrial-grade manual screen printing press is designed to handle high-demand printing while minimising wear and tear on the user. The Thunder is available with possible configurations of four station/four colours, four station/six colours, six station/six colours, four station/eight colours, eight station/eight colours, 10 station/10 colours, and 12 station/12 colours.

And, for those who transfer their artwork from computer to screen, EXILE Technologies has announced that the new FREEStyler 2 DTS will receive its official launch at P&P LIVE! The FREEStyler 2 frees screen printers from having to perform manual and labour-intensive film registration. It features a new industrial all-metal design and upgraded mechanics and electronics for improved precision and reliability.

And finally, Target Transfers will be bringing along a selection of new products to P&P LIVE! This includes the new Hotronix Tag Along Platen and the new Hotronix 360 IQ Hat Heat Press. The Tag Along Platen enables users to apply a full front print and a branded neck label at the same time. Meanwhile, the IQ Hat Heat Press enables users to print the front, back and sides of caps without removing them from the press.

Embroidery

Nearly a fifth of all stands at P&P LIVE! will have some form of embroidery equipment and supplies on display. AJS Embroidery Services will be showcasing the very latest machines from Tajima. This includes the TMEZ-KC series, which is equipped with intelligent thread management function for automating the embroidery finish process. i-TM analyses the stitch-by-stitch sewing direction and the fabric thickness to compute the appropriate amount of upper thread feed for the next stitch and makes proper adjustments to the finished stitches so that the embroidery finish that is considered to be good can be achieved stably.

Launched late last year, Barudan will be demonstrating the new twin head embroidery machine, the BEKT-S1502CII. This machine features an 8.4in LCD high resolution touch; a high-speed colour change system for increased production; a new tensioner system and a LED thread break detection light; and a maximum speed of 1100spm onto flat garments or 1000spm onto caps.

 

 

Michael Selby, office manager, Barudan UK, says: “It will be such a delight to see the return of the fabulous Printwear & Promotion LIVE! after the lockdowns we have all experienced. P&P LIVE! 2022 – bring it on!”

Four new machines from Merlin Pro will be on display on GS UK’s stand. These include the Merlin Pro RS10-1504 – four head, 15 needle machine; the Merlin Pro RS10-1502 – twin head, 15 needle machine; Merlin Pro RS7-1501, 15 needle machine single head; and the Merlin 101. The new Merlin Pro RS10-1504 has a maximum stitching speed of 1000spm. It also has a host of new features including an in-built, high definition, true colour 10.4in LCD touch screen.

Hobkirk Sewing Machines will be showing the latest 8in touch screen models from Ricoma. Following on from the hugely popular 7in screen models, all new Ricoma MT, TC and SWD models will now come as standard with the latest 8in high-definition LCD touch screen. They also now come with WiFi connectivity. This means users can send designs from a PC to the machine without the need for cables. As with the previous model, they still boast a large 500mm sewing area and sewing speeds of up to 1200spm.

For those looking for something different from the usual suspects, new exhibitor Holiauma UK will be demonstrating the latest in embroidery machines from Holiauma.

On stand will be a single-head and two-head model. However, the team will be able to provide information on all models of machine. The machines are high-speed and run at 1200spm. As standard, each machine in the range is fitted with an automatic oiling system, which users need to pump once a day to send oil to all the moving parts. The 47 head type on each machine is the newest on the market. It allows the machines to run at high-speed for caps and provide high-quality embroideries. Additonally, each machine has standard features such as built-in WiFi and a graffiti function with a stylus.

And finally, YES Group will be showcasing the newest releases from SWF and Ricoma. The new SWF KX series of single and high-speed multi-heads are just packed with the very latest operational technology. This includes automatic thread tensioning, digitally controlled pressor feet, smaller cylinder arm, picker free, high-speed stitching with speeds of 1200spm, and more. While the Ricoma MT20 8s 20 needle single and multi-heads feature a large embroidery area of up to 510x155mm per head.

John-Paul Burton, director of YES Group, says; “My team and I are extremely excited to welcome everyone back to P&P LIVE! We have missed face-to-face interaction over the past 18 months and we can’t wait to show you what’s on offer at YES in 2022.”

All these machines and much more besides will receive their exhibition debut in February. To register as a visitor for Printwear & Promotion LIVE!, please click here.