An Intro to Digital Printing on Fabric

Digital fabric printing is a relatively new technology with tons of applications. Most commercial fabrics are rotary screen printed; each print run is typically several thousand yards. These fabrics are quite high in price due to the cost and time required to prepare a unique set of screens. Digital printing's big advantage is the ability to do small runs of each design -- there are no screens to prepare.

The inks used in digital printing are formulated specifically for each type of fiber (cotton, silk, polyester, etc.). During the printing process, the fabric is fed through the printer using rollers and ink is applied to the surface in the form of thousands of tiny droplets. The fabric is then finished using heat and/or steam to cure the ink (some inks also require washing and drying). Digitally printed fabric will wash and wear the same as any other fabric.

Designs can be created digitally with almost any graphic design software (Photoshop and Illustrator are the most popular). As well, artwork or photographs can be scanned and then digitally manipulated to make a pattern.

Determine what color model the digital printer (most often CYMK or Lab) and select colors accordingly. Colors will appear differently on the fabric than on the computer screen. Personalizationis a great way to make the fabric unique. Every yard printed can be completely customized and personalized. With digital printing, Lean and Just in Time (JIT) manufacturing is a key attributes -- small runs of fabric can easily be printed for sampling purposes. No more hunting high and low for the perfect print, only to find that it's no longer available. The major downside to digital printing is the cost. As with any new technology, the costs are always high when it first becomes available. As time goes on and the technology continues to develop it will undoubtedly becomemore affordable.

When dealing with printing services, expect to pay around $20 to $50 per yard of finished fabric. Most services have no minimums and allow purchases as low as 1 yard at a time. Some have minimums and set-up fees but the cost per yard may be lower. The typical turn-around time is 2-3 weeks, but may be more if the base fabric is out of stock. Other unique digital resources are new papers like synthetic paper, waterproof paper and vinyl paper.

Oliver David writes articles for blogs on topics like sticker paper and synthetic paper.

Color Digital Printing: Welcome to the Evolution

Color digital printing has given the printing business a new lease on life as new color printing presses edge out traditional offset printing technology in color richness, quality, and print media flexibility. It won't be long until offset printing ends up on the dust heap of other previous inventions like the typewriter and the pay telephone. Color digital printing stands alone as the most viable printing solution for all industries and professions.


The main differences between digital printing and traditional methods such as lithography, "gravure", or letter press are that no printing plates are used, resulting in a quicker and less expensiveturnaround time, and typically a loss of some fine-image detail by most commercial digital printing processes. The most popular methods include ink jet or laser printers that deposit pigment or toner onto a wide variety of substrates including paper, photo paper, canvas, glass, metal, marble and other substances.

In addition to superior quality, color digital printing utilizes a software framework to set up document printing, which eliminates the time and labor spent altering the mechanical structures of an offset printer. What this means in practice is that digital color printing opens up two options that are simply not tenable in an offset environment:

1. Variable Data Printing
All of the set up work is done via software, digital color printing allows smaller internal alterations on printed media to be performed on the fly. This might be a client's name, print run number, date, tabulated dollar amount, or any other form of printing that would vary from copy to copy of the media being produced. Variable data printing alone makes digital far superior to offset innearly any printing capacity, and the time and collars saved from VDP translate directly into profits or dollars saved for the publishing organization.

2. Print On Demand
Once a labor-intensive printing process, now with the ease of a computer and keyboard, an entire digital print job can be created, stored and then quickly up-loaded for digital printing on a color press. With no mechanical adjustments to be made, a digital printer is free to do short run printing, smaller orders or to print a customer's protect on demand. An excellent example is for a book publisher. With print on demand, a book only needs to be printed once an order is placed, saving the high expense of printing multiple copies of a book to only have it sit, unsold.

The digital printing can offer significant benefits with new and unique technology. Smaller toner particles and greater reduction in printing oil allows digital printing to have a very near offset lookas well as texture. With color digital printing the future is not in doubt. And this future will see color digital printing revolutionize printing practices. Even the paper industry has undergone a transformation as new and unique papers like vinyl paper, decal paper and even waterproof paper have been created for use in digital printing.

Oliver David writes articles for websites on a variety of topics like waterproof paper and vinyl paper.

Satin Fabric for Use with Digital Printers

Satin Fabric is a product that many people don't think of when they think of digital printing. You wouldn't think that you could print a cloth like material with your digital press, or maybe you couldn't think of any reasons why you'd want to. However, just like other digital synthetics, as digital printing gradually overtakes traditional offset printing as time goes by, it is highly likely that many fabrics will be digitally printed in the future rather than using traditional printing methods. From mattress labels to award ribbons to custom pennants and banners, Satin Fabric can be another great way to increase your digital printing business.
Satin Fabric is a woven polyester fabric that is coated and optimized for printing on one side (though there are certainly many users who have printed both sides). It has a unique texture which gives it a satin cloth-like feel that is perfect for durable applications like mattress labels and outdoor pennants. Satin Fabric is water and mildew resistant, and it?s so durable that it can even be sewn and grometted.

One of the most popular uses for Satin Fabric is custom mattress labels. Because of the high cost of shipping heavy mattresses around the country, you've probably noticed that many mattress stores advertise themselves as being mattress manufacturers as well. This means that there are great opportunities for printing mattress labels with the local manufacturer, and the ability to print on-demand private labels makes digital printing the perfect tool for the job, and Satin Fabric the perfect product for the job.

Other popular applications are for outdoor pennants or banners. You're no longer limited to just using vinyl products that must be offset printed in large quantities, or slowly via wide format. Now you can offer pennants just a few at a time, turn around your job in a matter of minutes, and they'll be perfect for outdoor use even if you do get that spring shower at your event. And did you know there are a myriad of high heat toner digital printers that will now print 12" x 47" banners and that Satin Fabric is available in 12" x 47" fifty sheet packs. Just imagine, waterproof, tear resistant outdoor pennants that you can sew and grommet now can be printed in minutes when you use Satin Fabric. That's right; no more need to send these out to laminate.

Another great application is award ribbons. This application for Satin Fabric is perfect for local festivals or fairs, youth sports teams, or special events and parties. Just another great way that digital paper can be the door opener you are looking for to help you earn new business. Finishing Satin Fabric is easy as it guillotine cuts, or die cuts cleanly.

Like all Digital Paper products, Satin Fabric is manufactured here in the United states, so you can be proud to support American manufacturing when you make your purchase. Whatever your project calls for, you're only limited by your imagination when you use products like satin or decal paper products to get the most of your digital equipment.

 

Oliver David writes articles for publications on topics like vinyl paper and waterproof paper.

Kodak to Unveil New Printing Solutions For Users of Digital Paper

Working with digital paper whether it is decal paper, vinyl paper or waterproof paper can be a challenge to some, but with the right paper product and the correct digital printer amazing things can happen.
Next month at the "drupa" 2012 industry show in Dusseldorf, Germany, Kodak will be unveiling 10 new digital print solutions. This is a quick overview of those 10 new products and solutions for the digital print world. These new solutions will enable printers to offer customers new applications and improve on efficiencies in their operations.

"The industry has undergone dramatic change since the last drupa in 2008, and we've listened carefully to understand our customers" challenges. Today, Kodak is delivering digital your way, solutions tailored to help them deliver specifically what their clients need," noted Chris Payne, Kodak's director and vice president marketing, Commercial Business. "Kodak's portfolio of solutions and services optimize the delivery of higher-value images for our print customers to better serve their clients and grow their business. Come to the Kodak stand at drupa and see how Kodak can make your business a success by giving you digital your way."

Here's the preview of the 10 new digital print solutions:
1. The 1,000-fpm Kodak Prosper 6000XL press is a four-color inkjet press that delivers monthly print volumes of up to 160 million A4 pages. Great for direct mail and publishing as well as other commercial print jobs.

2. A 3,000-fpm Kodak Prosper S30 imprinting system that will print at the highest speed in the industry for hybrid printing (the combination of offset and digital).

3. The new Timson T-Press is powered by Kodak Stream inkjet technology. This digital press is great for productivity and delivers cost savings when printing books. A new cost effective method that will improve business models for book printers and publishers.

4. Kodak's new Paper Rating Program will give printers the freedom to print inkjet on any substrate.

5. The company is offering a new gold, pearlescent and neon pink printing effects using their Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions.

6. The new Kodak Flexcel Direct System is an energy efficient, high-power direct laser engraving solution.

7. The new Kodak Achieve is an all-in-one CTP System, which makes printers in the emerging markets of the world to transition to CTP. This will increase efficiency.

8. New suite of workflow production tools, including Kodak Prinergy 6 software, Kodak INSITE Prepress Portal Software and App for iPad Devices, and new versions of Kodak Colorflow Software and Kodak PREPS Imposition Software.

9. The new Kodak Sonora XP process-free plates will provide mainstream quality and print capability without a processor or chemistry - providing a smaller environmental footprint.

10. And finally the new Kodak Intelligent Prepress Manager 2.0, which is the update to, connected proactive services that enable printers to become more productive and to increase quality and efficiency for the prepress systems.

The Kodak stand at drupa will include application stations for commercial print, publishing and packaging, where attendees can learn more about how they can grow their businesses with KODAK Solutions.
"The drupa show is a marquee event for Kodak and for the industry. The technology unveiled at the show will set the direction of the markets we serve-commercial print, publishing and packaging-for years to come," added Payne.

 

Oliver David writes articles for publications on topics like sticker paper and synthetic paper.

 

 

Digital Name Badges Fantastic for Events

While at the outset, it might not seem to be as fun and exciting as our other products; there are a whole host of events and opportunities where Digital Name Badges can be a great product for you or your clients. Fact is, this is a very popular product and a real workhorse and although name badges have been around for a long time, many of our customers tell us Digital Name Badge are the best they have used.

 

Digital Name Badges have a satin acetate face stock with a top coating so that it is optimized for digital printing. It features a premium apparel adhesive that will safely remove from almost every fabric (like other name badges we advise against using on leather or suede). These two components work nicely together creating a name badge that will flex and move with your clothing and remain stuck on you all night long, unlike stiff paper stocks or flimsy adhesives.

Simply stated, whatever the shape of the person you are applying the Digital Name Badge to, the face stock conforms to their contours and the premium apparel adhesive grips tight so you won’t have name badges laying all over the floor. Even if you use the name badges for a kids party where they are running all over the place they’ll work great and peel off cleanly at the end of you event.

In addition, Digital Name Badges come with a sturdy 92# lay flat release liner that allows for easy runnability through your digital equipment. The liner has 3 scores running parallel to the 18 inch edge to make it easy for the customer to peel off the liner and apply the name badge.

And a great new feature is that Digital Name Badge is now ink jet printable. So if you want to print your name badge shells with high heat toner equipment and then imprint variable information at your show with ink jet printers this is now possible with Digital Name Badge. Digital Name Badges are also available for HP Indigo presses.

Digital Name Badges are perfect for any event where you want eye-catching name badges; you require additional security features, or both.

Digital Name Badges will allow you to create stunning graphics for weddings, reunions, and conventions. For those looking to add some security to their identification, you can print variable images like photographs, custom sequential numbering, QR codes or bar codes, and you can do so while printing only the exact number of name badges that you need.

The unique look and feel of our satin face stock will be an additional security feature.  Whether you’re looking to add a creative touch to a family or high school reunion, or are looking to ensure the security of trade shows or corporate events, Digital Name Badges are sure to be a great choice for you.

To find out more about all the great Digital Paper products please go to the website FusionDigitalPaper, where you can read informative articles, watch product demonstration videos, and so much more on other papers like decal paper.

 

Oliver David writes articles for publications on topics like vinyl paper and synthetic paper.

Plastic Paper -- A Green Answer

The question that challenged American shoppers a decade ago was "paper or plastic?" This phrase was heard at grocery stores and other large retail outlets as efforts were made to give shoppers the option to select either a paper shopping bag or a plastic shopping bag. In other countries, a bag is not provided free-of-charge, so most often shoppers bring their own bag. But now that challenge will occur for shoppers as the choice between paper or plastic heads toward more sustainable printing practices. In the future, paper may be plastic!

There are several companies that have been declaring their 100% tree-free paper as a way to "go green" when printing documents, books, pamphlets and so forth. Some companies are marketing their synthetic paper as being "100% tree free" and also have a line of substrates that are made from polypropylene pellets and is also 100% recyclable. Part of the focus is on saving the world's forests, but the question many have is whether using plastic that stays in the environment much longer in the form of waste is really a sustainable option. Companies are selling synthetic paper and other types of paper.

Another factor that manufacturers taunt is that these synthetic papers are resistant to tear and other forms of abuse. This obviously increases the overall longevity of the printed materials, so there is less likelihood that they will become garbage in the near-term, thus keeping them out of the overall waste stream.

Substrates aren't the only environmentally friendly product category. One interesting software application is called an "eco-print calculator" this software can be integrated into a company's overall cost visualization software for large-format printers. It allows users to monitor all the costs associated with a particular print job, and even calculate the carbon that is generated by each element of any job, whether it is ink, media, electricity, or other inputs.

Overall the print industry is moving toward more green options and paying attention to the need for more sustainable practices when it comes to digital printing, paper and the environment. Would you like paper or plastic in your printer?

Oliver David writes for Fusion Digital Paper and other publications on subjects like vinyl paper.

Advantages of Digital Printing and Digital Papers

Digital printing has plenty of advantages for small and medium sized companies. Whether it’s letterhead, brochures, newsletters or full-scale marketing mock-ups being able to produce these on the fly, instead of waiting days for the finished product can mean the difference between landing a large contract or not. Having access to a digital printer is the key, whether for small or large scale print production.  

In recent years, small scale companies have come to rely on digital printing, especially for turning out printed marketing collateral or advertising materials: thus, they spare the steps needed to prepare printing plates, like in offset printing.

Furthermore, when any company, regardless of size needs printouts with image modifications for each impression, digital printing is definitely the preferable solution. With digital printing, the image can be promptly varied according to customers’ needs. Whether printing advertising materials, business cards, calendars, pamphlets, etc.

Fortunately, digital printing dispenses with the need to go through all the stages of preparation of printing plates, instead providing the direct printing of digitally based images onto a large array of media. This is an especially crucial advantage over offset printing as nowadays companies rely on numerous kinds of media in addition to paper, in order to achieve the most effective brand image.

In the past, the turnaround for a digital printing order could take days, if not weeks. With the advances made in technology, that lead-time can be reduced to mere minutes. The advances in technology have eliminated the estimating involved and the turn around time has been reduced.

There is one more positive aspect involved with the digital method of printing. Going green is the choice of a number of companies these days. Using digital printing can make a tremendous difference in the overuse of paper due to a bad print run or constant changes.  Recycling paper and using soy ink are other measures which help reduce the amount of harmful waste ending up in land fills and damaging the environment. And today there are a variety of synthetic products specifically engineered for digital printing. These papers are durable, tear resistant, and waterproof, Many provide companies with beautiful image fidelity and have excellent toner adhesion. Whether it’s vinyl paper, decal paper, waterproof paper or sticker paper having it run flawlessly through a digital printer is important