The Impressions Product Guide

	Brought to you by Impressions and ISS
	September 18, 2007 • Vol. 4, No. 17


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Generation DTG
While embroidery and screen printing remain two valuable players in the game of embellished apparel, digital decoration is stepping out as both a strong teammate and a potential competitor. The digital revolution in garment decorating is moving fast, and it's hard to keep up with the blizzard of new products. Check out this comprehensive roundup of the latest direct-to-garment inkjet printers, heat presses and accessories.

Workhorse Products' 16" x 20" Transquick heat seal press (model TT1620D) can be used on materials up to 0.75 inches thick and features a floating upper heat platen, digital timer and temperature controls, and over-center pressure adjustment.

With a 16" x 20" print area and a 110-degree opening, the DK20S digital swinger heat press from Vastex Screen Printing Equipment features a solid steel welded frame and supercoil-microwinding heater technology to ensure consistent heat and pressure.

Available in both 16" x 16" and 16" x 20" models, the Hotronix Auto Clam heat press from Transfer Express is designed to automatically open at the end of a preset cycle. It features a digital pressure display, plus time and temperature controls.

Ideal for transfer applications that require precise timing and release, this pop-up attachment for Dalco Athletic's Digital Knight DK16 heat press boasts an electromagnetic lockdown and auto-release capability. It also automatically opens, leaving the operator with more hands-free time.

With automatic release, magnetic-assist lockdown and digital controls for selecting time, temperature and pressure, the Hotronix Auto Cap heat press from Stahls' ID Direct generates maximum pressure with less effort, according to the company.

The 550 series Tunnel heat press from Printa Systems boasts a 16" x 16" platen that slides in and out of a tunnel, protecting the operator from exposure to high temperatures. It also features digital heat and timer controls.

Compatible with 11-, 15- and 16-ounce coffee mugs, the DK3 Digital Mug Press from The Embroidery Store can heat press images up to five inches high and as close as half an inch from handle to handle, depending on size.

The HT-400D heat transfer press from Hix Corp. features a 15" x 15" platen that heats evenly and opens 40 degrees to apply transfers onto items up to one inch thick. It features a digital temperature system that maxes out at 450?F.

Built with a digital display that provides readouts on time, temperature and pressure, the 16" x 20" Phoenix Phire clamshell heat press from Imprintables Warehouse features a laser-quality steel frame and cast-in tubular heating elements to inhibit cold spots.

The 15" x 20" Model 158 clamshell heat press from Insta Graphic Systems features a digital controller for time and temperature, in addition to an auto-release capability that opens the unit once a preset time elapses.

SWF East Inc.'s Kiosk HM-1 has an eight-channel inkjet printhead that incorporates four channels of white ink and four channels of color ink that move over the substrate, producing an accurate registration.

Mesa Distributor Inc.'s Eclipse D-1 direct-to-garment digital inkjet printer incorporates one printhead with eight channels of white ink to print an underbase layer and a second with four channels of white to create highlights and four channels of color to lay down the design.

The DTG Digital package from Pantograms Mfg. Co. Inc. includes a Kiosk direct-to-garment inkjet printer, eight-bottle bulk ink system featuring DTG-TEX water-based textile inks, Epson inkjet printhead, starter kit and a one-year warranty.

Fueled by NaturaLink water-based inks, the DirectAdvantage direct-to-garment digital garment printer from Sawgrass Technologies Inc. uses eight-color piezo printheads to print customized graphics onto garments constructed of 100% cotton as well as 50/50 blends.

Both the baby platen and short-sleeve/small item platen from Direct 2 Shirt are compatible with Brother Intl.'s GT-541 direct-to-garment inkjet printer. The 7.25" x 10" baby platen is designed to print baby shirts, hoods and other small areas of garments.

Anajet Inc.'s FP-125 direct-to-garment inkjet printer is capable of printing on both white and black garments and boasts a closed-loop ink delivery system for superior ink flow and trouble-free printhead maintenance.

Capable of printing high-quality color directly from a computer to a garment, the Brother Intl. GT-541 digital inkjet printer distributed by Nazdar SourceOne can be networked with multiple units or can run as an individual unit.

Ballstars' Pro Automatic System features a 5500 photo ball heat press, which can decorate baseballs, footballs and more. It also includes a Dell laptop, digital camera, professional lighting and backdrop kit, air compressor and other necessary accessories.

Forever Ink-Jet Dark transfer paper for aqueous inkjet printers from Intl. Coatings prints bright colors onto dark-colored backgrounds and can be used on a variety of substrates, including 100% cotton, leather and lighter-colored cotton/polyester blends.

U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology recently released the Fast T-Jet3 tabletop direct-to-garment printer, which measures 30" x 36" x 17.5" and features a continuous flow bulk ink system that includes four color inks (CMYK) and white ink.

Miss an issue of IPG? Click below to catch up.

9/4/07 Performance apparel

8/7/07 Fleecewear

7/24/07 Workwear

7/10/07 Childrenswear

6/27/07 Screen printing equipment

6/12/07 Teen and tween wear

Check out our coverage of this cool category! Link to fun and informative stories below.

Shopping the DTG Scene
Ready to join the inkjet-to-garment chorus? If so, read on for answers to critical questions you should be asking.

DTG or Sublimation? Which is Right for Your Shop?
If you're going to invest in one digital technology, this successful decorator's experience can help you decide between direct-to-garment or sublimation.

Can You Make Money with DTG?
Sure, it's the next big thing, but does DTG translate into big profits for decorators — and if so, at what production levels?

Next-Generation Heat Presses Feature Digital Technologies
Digital technologies have elevated the profile of the once-humble heat press.

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Impressions Product Guide Editor: Susie McManus, smcmanus@impressionsmag.com
Editorial Director: Richard Lebovitz, rlebovitz@impressionsmag.com
Editor in Chief: Marcia Derryberry, mderryberry@impressionsmag.com
Senior Editor: Terry Murphy, tmurphy@impressionsmag.com
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Graphic Designer: Ben Carpenter, BC Squared, www.bc2design.com
Advertising Account Executive: Kent Deardorff, kent.deardorff@nielsen.com
Advertising Account Executive: Diane Hall, diane.hall@nielsen.com
Advertising Account Executive: Jeanine Morgan, jeanine.morgan@nielsen.com

About Our Sponsors

Made in Downtown L.A.

Almost every stage of our manufacturing and marketing occurs in the same building in downtown Los Angeles. This efficient, vertically integrated system means heightened quality control and greater flexibility in design, allowing us to respond faster than anyone who is outsourcing. Our goal is to bring people the clothes they love to wear.

JERZEES is a leading imprintable sportswear brand of fleece, sports shirts, wovens and T-shirts for women, men and youth. JERZEES is a division of Russell Corp. Our brands include Cross Creek, BIKE Athletic, Three Rivers and Mossy Oak.

Gildan is a vertically integrated marketer and manufacturer of premium quality branded basic apparel. The company manufactures basic T-shirts, sport shirts and sweatshirts for sale in the wholesale imprinted sportswear industry in the United States, Canada and other international markets. Gildan's overall mission is to deliver better value through better design.

California Basics strives to manufacture blank apparel that embodies the essence of unique, laid back, trendy fashion that has taken the heart of America.

We offer men's, ladies', juniors, boys and girls styles. Private label and custom programs are also offered. Eighty percent of all our products are made in the USA.

The Imprinted Sportswear Shows are the leading event for the decorated apparel and imprinted products industry. The exposition floor showcases the newest products, apparel and equipment, while the conference program provides the expert knowledge you need to turn investments into profits. For more information about the Imprinted Sportswear Shows and the Conference Programs, click here.

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