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bright, saturated colours. Ink is precisely fired
onto substrates from a distance of 4mm – a
significantly longer nozzle-fabric distance
compared to alternative technologies. This
means that a wider range of substrates can be
run with minimal chance of print head damage
or extra operational costs. Additionally, these
Using digital print heads maintain thermal stability at a very
low level of heat throughout the printing
process, a key requirement for achieving long
runs in industrial environments. This overall
reduction of risk means that SPGPrints is able
printing to to offer customers the Archer Print Head
Program which provides a 2.5-year warranty
when accredited inks are used. This eliminates
the typical print head worries such as high
costs and unpredictable failures.

maintain Using only six colours, Archer technology
enables a gamut wider than the HD-gamut of
other digital textile printing solutions. With
ink type, substrate, and design elements no
longer restrictive factors, designers have
never had such creative freedom for
competitiveness mass-produced textiles.

The PIKE printer is designed for companies
needing high annual capacity. It is a
single-pass, 1850mm-wide printer with a fixed

up to 40 linear meters per minute.
One of the consequences of a global economy is the deployed, it can be a transformational force in cost array of print heads, and operates at speeds
speed with which a complex number of variables can and waste reduction, driving competitiveness and
change, impacting local trading conditions. profitability by reducing costs throughout the The JAVELIN uses a multi-pass scanning
Sometimes this can happen so quickly that there are supply chain. action to deposit inks. It has an output speed
temporary time lags that can put undue pressure on of up to 367 metres per hour and is available in
businesses. This has been happening with rising Not all digital technology is the same print widths of 1850mm and 3200mm. The
cotton and yarn prices in Pakistan while the overall Before the advent of digital printing, it was generally JAVELIN is suited for medium production
picture is one of increased in worldwide cotton accepted that of the three desired production goals – volumes, and situations where more frequent
production and falling cotton futures. The promise of quality, speed and cost – it was only possible to have changes between different fabrics and designs
lower raw material prices tomorrow is cold comfort two. It didn’t matter which two; one was always are required.
today. Other current factors include sharp rises in sacrificed.
production costs and new tariffs in important markets. SPGPrints develops and manufactures its own
Today, all three are deliverable with SPGPrints’ ink for use with these printers and has worked
What individual companies – large or small – need patented Archer® technology, which is incorporated closely with FujifilmDimatix to achieve the
are long-term strategies that will help to smooth out into the latest digital printers, the single-pass high optimal chemistry for use with the Samba
short-term fluctuations, maintain margins and volume PIKE®, and scanning head JAVELIN® print heads.
While there has been worldwide economic uncertainty since the Great Recession, maximise cashflow. printers. Users of these printers in Pakistan are
conditions for textile printers in Pakistan have recently become increasingly Technology plays an important part of these already supplying orders large and small in a matter Digital printing requires a new way of thinking.
The old model of variable cost per metre no
of days.
challenging. Salman Hydrie, managing director, SPGPrints Pakistan, explores how strategies, and digital printing can be a major tool in longer applies; it is the Total Cost of
the use of digital printing can help businesses to remain competitive and profitable ensuring long-term competitiveness. While digital Archer technology uses Fujifilm Samba Dimatix Ownership, or end-to-end cost, that matters.
Savings on prepress time, energy and waste;
piezo-electric print heads to produce variable drops
textile printing has been around for several decades,
in a rapidly changing environment. too often it is considered only in terms of short runs ranging from 2-10pL at resolutions of up to 1200 x reduced substrate waste, drastically reduced
and fast turnarounds, whereas, when properly 1200dpi to create excellent print quality as well as times to market and the elimination of

February/March 2018 February/March 2018

warehousing and stock-holding are all part of complementary technology.
lowering costs. These factors give brands the
ability to feed both online markets and fast-fashion Service, support and commitment to the market
bricks and mortar outlets – while maintaining Since 1996, SPGPrints Pakistan has provided
profitability for everyone in the chain. equipment, consumables, support and
application consultancy to printers in the
Moreover, these advantages reduce risk in the region. Multiple JAVELIN printers are running
supply chain – which makes working with a printer at companies in Pakistan and meeting the
with digital capabilities more attractive. While demands of today’s market conditions and
these benefits are notably exploited by the doing so competitively.
fast-fashion houses, similar benefits are enjoyed
at the higher end of the market with easier and In addition to the support offered in the
more affordable production of shorter runs and region, customers may see the PIKE and
limited editions. JAVELIN printers in action at SPGPrints’
Experience Center at its headquarters in
Today, digital production accounts for only about Boxmeer, Netherlands, where they can
five per cent of the worldwide textile printing conduct print trials using their own jobs and
market. However, the latest market reports show fabrics, and receive technical and application
an exciting growth of around 23 per cent annually, training.
or about two billion square meters per year.
Being well-informed and well-equipped are
Companies that understand this new paradigm the best ways to achieve success in rapidly
can use digital print as a powerful, profitable changing market conditions, and having the
resources and experience of SPGPrints
Pakistan ready to offer local support can be
another factor in your success.

SPGPrints’ stand at ITM 2018, in Istanbul, will
feature an operational JAVELIN printer as
well as comprehensive information on PIKE,
digital inks and latest screens and imaging
equipment.

In the week after ITM, SPGPrints will be the
main sponsor of the Inspiring Change
Conference, at the Expo Centre, Lahore,
24-25 April. The conference will provide a
platform for textile experts to share their
thoughts, and subsequently suggest the next
steps to enhance the global competitiveness,
and ultimately pave the way for sustainable
growth in the textile industry.

Among the objectives of the conference are
the disseminating the latest global trends,
present innovative technological
advancements and solutions for the key
challenges faced by the textile industry, and
suggest new means to bolster exports.

With the participation of leading players in
Pakistan’s textile industry, this conference
presents an important opportunity to plan the
industry’s future.