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Textile printing, the generic name for all woven fabrics and the art of ornamenting such fabrics by printing on designs or patterns in color, is very ancient and an art form that originated in the Far East. Over the past few years it has seen its reemergence due to digital design and printing on fabrics based on clients' customized demands. So it should be fitting that one of the products leading the rebirth of this market should also come from the Far East with Teleios from D-gen. Available in 102-inch and 74-inch models, the Teleios offers the versatility to output a host of products including outdoor and indoor flags, banners and displays. The printer is now being distributed in the US by CA-based NuSign Supply.
John Willhoite, co-owner of Rainbow Pennant Flags & Graphics (RPM) in Oklahoma City, OK, was one of the first shops in the country to have the 74-inch model in house.
"RPM is a family owned and family operated business. We have been providing flags, banners and pennants for our clients since 1958. Early last year we were looking at moving to a digital workflow for printing our products, so I started to do some extensive research. I first saw the Teleios 74 printer at FESPA 2006 and I was impressed the output samples they showed me. At the time, they didn't have US distribution so I had to wait a little while to get it in our shop," he says.
Once they did, Willhoite was quite pleased with the results. "I purchased my first one direct from the company and then added a second one through NuSign Supply when they picked up the US distributorship. NuSign has been very helpful in getting us set up as well as providing great customer service when we have any questions or need ink or media for the machine."
Willhoite reports that they use the printers on all their jobs. The Teleios 74 has taken us into the digital age of fabric printing. The unit stands out among direct textile printers because it produces high-quality (up to 1440 dpi) graphics without the need for a separate heat setting process. Proprietary technology ensures bright, saturated colors on both sides of the fabric."
Willhoite also likes the unit's feeding system. "The patented synchronized cylinder media feeding system was a key selling point for us. This unique system makes it easy for us to print on any type of fabric used for banners or flags without any curvature or twisting of the item you are printing on," he adds.
Kolorfusion
Another firm reaping the benefits of the Teleios 74 is Kolorfusion International, Inc. in Aurora, CO. Kolorfusion is the owner of process patents for three-dimensional product decoration. "Our technology transfers designs onto a product's coating or directly onto the part itself, regardless of shape. The result is a durable, fully decorated product. Unlike decals, silk screening, or standard painting, Kolorfusion's patented process offers a full spectrum of colors, shades, and designs," states company president Steve Nagel.
Kolorfusion develops and markets the system for transferring color designs to coated materials including wood, metal, and plastic. Via the company's process, colors can be applied to nonflat surfaces and don't peel. Clients include Commodore Gaming Computers, rifle maker Daisy Outdoor Products and bathroom fixture manufacturer Moen Inc.
"We were looking for a graphic printer that would help us our product mix to the next level and we came across the Teleios 74. We already had some Roland printers in house so we were familiar with how they worked so we added the machine with wonderful results." So wonderful that they recently added two more printers from NuSign Supply.
"The D-gen Teleios printers help us save on time, labor, space, and money by allowing unattended printing. We are able to set it up and just let it go."
Nagel also likes the unit's speed. "The Teleios 74-inch prints directly to polyester fabric at speeds up to 409 sqft per hour. It has allowed to us to cut some of our work in half. And, because of the machine's ability to print directly on fabrics and its built-in heat fixation unit, there is no need to buy transfer paper or a separate heat-transfer machine. That's a big cost saving right there," he concludes.
author: BY BILL SCHIFFNER