Local large format printing and cutting systems specialist Advanced Machinery offers a full range of solutions for all types of fabric printing. These include not only the printers and the consumables but also the heat presses for fixing the prints onto the fabric. There are heat presses for both the sublimation and Direct-to-Film print methods. The printers and presses are available in a range of sizes and levels of automation catering for the needs of a wide range of customers which differing levels of productivity requirements. 

The market for printed fabrics continues to grow and expand as more and more uses are found for printed materials from furnishings to signage, from clothing and branding to fashion accessories and even items like face masks and bandanas. In 2018 the global market for printed fabrics was $146.5 billion and this is expected to reach R266.38 billion by 2025. 

When printing onto fabrics first became viable, there was only really one technique dye sublimation. This process uses the system of applying the print to wax-based receptor sheet and then through the use of heat and pressure transferring the ink to the fabric. Since then, new techniques have been developed including Direct-to-Garment printing where no intermediate stages are required, and Direct-to-Film printing where the image is once again printed to a receptor sheet and then transferred with heat and pressure to the fabric. 

The result has been a level of specialisation for each of the techniques. Sublimation has progressed considerably in terms of quality over the time and is now used almost exclusively in applications where the entire sheet of fabric has to be printed. There are a few limitations however, the material has to be white, sublimation does not work on darker materials as the darker inks are obscured by the colour of the fabric. This can result in images appearing muted or distorted, or having to be adjusted in order to achieve an acceptable result.

Another limitation on sublimation is the type of fabric which can be used. Sublimation is limited to use on polyfabrics and cannot be used on cotton or cotton-blend materials. That said, because of the applications it is used for, sublimation is generally used for the higher productivity requirement applications where large volumes are required.

Direct-to-Garment is just that, a system for printing directly onto clothing items. Here again, the applications are limited and the fabric also has to be white in order for the darker colours to stand out. 

It is for these reasons that Direct-to-Film printing has become the most prevalent system used for printing onto fabrics. Firstly, it can be used on almost any type of material including cotton and cotton-blends. Secondly, because a white layer is placed down before the other colours are printed, the colour of the material is not important. Thirdly, the quality which can be achieved is of the highest standard with unmatched levels of consistency and repeatability. It is only in the full sheet fabric market that DTF is not suitable, as the inclusion of the white layer changes the structure and rigidity of the fabric.

For more information of the printer of your choice or to find the best solution for your specific needs, contact Advanced Machinery and enquire about its range of AM.CO.ZA fabric printers and heat presses.