DPS Pioneers Mass Customization of Decorative Furnishings
September 20, 2000
New York - The U.S.-based firm, Digital Printing Systems, claims it is the first company in the world to offer digital ink-jet presses and associated supplies for the home and commercial furnishings market.
DPS said this will completely change the traditional economics of producing wall and floor coverings, curtain fabrics, bedding and upholstery, which is based on long runs and extended delivery times.
The ability to produce short runs will create new opportunities for existing printers and those seeking to enter the specialist furnishings sector. For designers and manufacturers it can provide greater freedom and variety on product development, according to DPS. Managing director Barry Myers said the company was created in 1996 to develop ink-jet technology. DPS is an affiliated company of Polytex Environmental Inks based in New York, and is said to be the world's leading supplier of water-based inks for wallcoverings with sales of $25 million.
DPS has introduced ink-jet presses from two manufacturers, Aprion Digital and Jemtex, which were shown for the first time at the recent Drupa printing exhibition in Dÿsseldorf, Germany, which was also saw the international launch of DPS.
From Aprion Digital comes the DPS 65, a roll-to-roll machine based on Aprion's multiple array ink-jet technology. The unit runs at 600 dpi at 2,000 sq. ft/hr on a wide range of treated and untreated substrates including vinyl, nonwovens and paper for transfer printing onto textiles.
DPS said water-based inks have been developed that overcome the problem of wetting on non-porous polymeric substrates such as vinyls. Drying is by means of a specially developed hot air system. DPS has already sold eight of these presses - four to North America and four to European printers - mainly for printing wallcoverings.
For direct digital textile printing, DPS has introduced its DPS 75TXS, which uses a patented continuous ink-jet process. It is one of a range of machines being developed for DPS by Jemtex Ink Jet Printing.
The DPS 75TXS can use a variety of ink types. A water-based pigmented set capable of printing onto untreated cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics was demonstrated at Drupa. The machine prints sheets of material held on an adhesive rubber roll at a resolution equivalent to a 125 mesh rotary screen at a speed of up to two 48" x 74" (1.2 x 1.8 m) sheets per hour.
With the ability to print both process and spot colors up to a total of eight, the DPS 75TXS is said to make it easy for designers to create different colorways and designs before committing to production runs.
For proofing and sampling, DPS has modified a Mimaki JV2-130 with special heating devices that enable the printer to jet water-based pigmented inks developed by DPS directly onto untreated paper, vinyl, nonwoven and fabric substrates. Finished printed materials are claimed to have the necessary physical properties to meet the stringent requirements of the home and commercial furnishings market (washability, scrub resistance, heat stability and light fastness).
DPS said this will completely change the traditional economics of producing wall and floor coverings, curtain fabrics, bedding and upholstery, which is based on long runs and extended delivery times.
The ability to produce short runs will create new opportunities for existing printers and those seeking to enter the specialist furnishings sector. For designers and manufacturers it can provide greater freedom and variety on product development, according to DPS. Managing director Barry Myers said the company was created in 1996 to develop ink-jet technology. DPS is an affiliated company of Polytex Environmental Inks based in New York, and is said to be the world's leading supplier of water-based inks for wallcoverings with sales of $25 million.
DPS has introduced ink-jet presses from two manufacturers, Aprion Digital and Jemtex, which were shown for the first time at the recent Drupa printing exhibition in Dÿsseldorf, Germany, which was also saw the international launch of DPS.
From Aprion Digital comes the DPS 65, a roll-to-roll machine based on Aprion's multiple array ink-jet technology. The unit runs at 600 dpi at 2,000 sq. ft/hr on a wide range of treated and untreated substrates including vinyl, nonwovens and paper for transfer printing onto textiles.
DPS said water-based inks have been developed that overcome the problem of wetting on non-porous polymeric substrates such as vinyls. Drying is by means of a specially developed hot air system. DPS has already sold eight of these presses - four to North America and four to European printers - mainly for printing wallcoverings.
For direct digital textile printing, DPS has introduced its DPS 75TXS, which uses a patented continuous ink-jet process. It is one of a range of machines being developed for DPS by Jemtex Ink Jet Printing.
The DPS 75TXS can use a variety of ink types. A water-based pigmented set capable of printing onto untreated cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics was demonstrated at Drupa. The machine prints sheets of material held on an adhesive rubber roll at a resolution equivalent to a 125 mesh rotary screen at a speed of up to two 48" x 74" (1.2 x 1.8 m) sheets per hour.
With the ability to print both process and spot colors up to a total of eight, the DPS 75TXS is said to make it easy for designers to create different colorways and designs before committing to production runs.
For proofing and sampling, DPS has modified a Mimaki JV2-130 with special heating devices that enable the printer to jet water-based pigmented inks developed by DPS directly onto untreated paper, vinyl, nonwoven and fabric substrates. Finished printed materials are claimed to have the necessary physical properties to meet the stringent requirements of the home and commercial furnishings market (washability, scrub resistance, heat stability and light fastness).
