54 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 257 - February / March 2025 adhesion and vibrancy. For DTF printing, the base material should ideally be compatible with the adhesive films used, typically polyester or poly-cotton blends, to ensure the film adheres properly and transfers cleanly. For Sara Sanders-Smith of Result Clothing, there are three factors that are most important when choosing a garment to print on. “For me, the key is longevity, value for money, and that the garment you choose, together with its decoration type, make the design look as good as possible.” Continuing her advice to printers, Sanders-Smith says: “It’s important that the fabric has been properly constructed to take print, and to test that the media is suitable to use on it. “They should also make sure that it sits at the price they are budgeting for, and that stock is available when they need it.” Result provides the garment and apparel industry with versatile outerwear, headwear, and accessories, specifically tailored to allow for high quality prints. But aside from garment quality, Result is also focusing on recyclability and reducing environmental impact in the time of ‘fast fashion’. According to a recent report by consulting firm, McKinsey, 70% of fashion brands are now actively seeking more sustainable printing methods. Recent market innovations mean that eco-conscious options are now available to garment printers without the need to break the bank. Sanders-Smith explains: “We no longer introduce anything new to our range that does not have a recycled element, and we are transitioning all our best-selling lines to using recycled fabrics. “Improvements to the weave and feel of fabrics using recycled materials are the best and biggest innovations to our industry. Greater uptake of these fabrics means their price is now equal to virgin polyester fabrics, so we are able to price match or transition styles using these fabrics. “Customers no longer have to feel bad – being price conscious now means you can also be environmentally conscious.” A Direct Impact DTF printing has been increasingly turned and reducing waste is also important for printers’ margins and for the environment. Ganging designs together on DTF gang sheets allows printers to print multiple designs in one go.” The Antigro Designer software has been developed to streamline these processes and decision points. The cloud-based print personalisation tool enables companies to offer editable templates to customers, with a wide range of personalisation options for any kind of printed product, including garment and apparel. Its DTF Gang Sheet Builder tool automatically nests graphics and adjusts the size of a gang sheet, streamlining the file creation process and reducing manual intervention. The product can be integrated with domain-specific APIs, generating printready files tailored to your exact print equipment. These features are designed to reduce errors, eliminate the need for time-consuming revision cycles, and speed up production. Speaking about what Antigro can offer, Grauf says: “As a provider of innovative software solutions for personalisation and customisation in printing and e-commerce, we are well versed in developing specialised tools. “Our software is designed to streamline the various stages in print production, making customisation and personalisation accessible for anyone.” Antigro is developing further software solutions this year, including a range of automation tools for printers. Hinting at Antigro’s upcoming releases, Grauf says: “We are excited to add to our solutions for advanced customisation and AI-based automation in response to customer demand. Stay tuned for more information, especially if photobooks pique your interest.” The Right Result When deciding on a garment type for DTG or DTF printing, a range of factors must be carefully considered to achieve optimal results. Firstly, the fabric composition plays a pivotal role. Natural fibres such as cotton tend to absorb ink better in DTG printing, resulting in vibrant colours and a softer feel. Conversely, synthetic fabrics like polyester might require specialised pretreatments and inks for DTG, to ensure Our software is designed to streamline the various stages in print production, making customisation and personalisation accessible for anyone According to consulting firm, McKinsey, 70% of fashion brands are now actively seeking more sustainable printing methods 70% GARMENT AND APPAREL PRINT ▲ Customised garment printing was a focus at FESPA Global Print Expo’s Personalisation Experience in 2024
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