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Nike, a leading designer and manufacturer of
athletic footwear, apparel and equipment, is launch- EFI adds Reggiani
Nike launches next ing the next generation of Nike Flyknit. Nike Flyknit,
which debuted at the 2012 London games with the
generation 3D Flyknit Nike Flyknit Racer, is a digitally engineered knitting COLORS to textile
process best known for its role in lightweight,
formfitting and virtually seamless shoe uppers.

The traditional way to construct Nike Flyknit for a print portfolio
shoe is by knitting a flat upper, which is then
attached to a midsole to create the shape of the Boasting a top speed of 560sq m/hr, the device can
shoe. Now, a major advancement in Nike Flyknit print in up to 12 colours in a row and users can
technology allows for a shoe upper to be construct- place the 12 colours in a high-productivity 6+6
ed in a complete 360-degree form that wraps the configuration for what EFI describes as “superior
entire foot, helping athletes feel more secure and imaging at much faster throughput speeds”.
controlled during their movements.

A continuous ink recirculation system ensures
To make the upper, engineers use complex knitting outstanding reliability, according to EFI, and lets
structures to create a closed anatomical form that users print with a wider variety of inks, including
mimics the shape of the foot. Following, the upper special inks, inks of different chemistry types, and
goes through a thermoforming process to provide chemistry for special treatments all at the same time.
shape and support underfoot. The result is a lighter,
breathable shoe that offers a more precise, Speaking about the new EFI Reggiani COLORS,
second-skin feel. Adele Genoni, vice-president and general manager

for EFI Reggiani, said that such is the flexibility of the
printer that it will enable print service providers to
expand into a number of profitable markets.

DyStar® Group recently launched a new concept of their resource “EFI Reggiani COLORS plays an essential role in the
saving module – Cadira Reactive/Disperse Continuous. fashion industry, and an expanded gamut gives
textile producers that competitive advantage,”
Cadira Reactive/Disperse Continuous is a modified Genoni said. “The printer therefore provides superior
pad-dry-thermosol-pad-steam dyeing process for open width imaging at much faster throughput speeds,
PES/CO fabrics. In contrast to the standard PDTPS process, improving production workflows and including the
Cadira Reactive/Disperse Continuous does not require a separate ability to move to greener, environmentally friendly
reduction clearing process and thus saves more than 40% processes.
chemicals, water and energy. This effect is obtained by using a
special dye choice of Dianix® XF/XF2 and SF disperse dyes in “It is for industrial textile producers, particularly those
combination with selected Levafix® and Remazol® reactive dyes working doing applications with very demanding
and a modified steaming and wash-off process with Sera® colour requirements.”
auxiliaries.
Cadira® for The Cadira concepts considerably reduce process costs, water, Genoni added: “The Reggiani COLORS can print a
broader range of colours as well as use different
types of inks making it a much more versatile
Resource waste and energy consumption and machine utilization. Cadira grow their business by producing designs that their
production option. So, textile manufacturers can
supports Brands & Retailers and their production partners in their
Optimized effort to save valuable resources and to reduce the carbon competitors cannot produce cost-effectively.”
footprint of their textile goods.

Reactive/Disperse The first Cadira module was developed in 2016. Since then DyStar Although the EFI Reggiani COLORS will not be on
display at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2018 in
has launched Cadira concepts for various substrates and
Berlin, Germany, next month, Genoni said the
Continuous Dyeing applications. So far, the following Cadira concepts are available. manufacturer will showcase a range of other kit that
can help printers expand their business.
Cadira Polyester, Cadira Recycled Polyester, Cadira Vat, Cadira
Reactive, Cadira Procion PX, Cadira Wool, Cadira Denim

April/May 2018