Aimed at "enormous growth rates" in the soft signage market, Durst’s new 3.3 metre wide P5 TEX iSUB allows for direct printing onto polyester fabrics. Maximum print speed is 383 m2/hour when the 330 cm print format is fully utilized.
(Launch event video begins at about :53s)
“Durst, manufacturer of innovative digital printing systems and software solutions, is setting a milestone in the field of sublimation printing with the launch of the P5 TEX iSUB,” said a company announcement. “The abbreviation iSUB stands for ‘inline sublimation.’ This eliminates individual work steps, resulting in a significant increase in quality and efficiency for the user.”
The soft signage market is experiencing “enormous growth rates in all areas of application - from visual communication and decor to textile clothing,” Durst said. In the period from 2017 to 2023, sales volume will increase by more than 60 percent, according to a forecast by Keypoint Intelligence, and the market will grow globally from around $19.2 billion in 2019 to $31.4 billion (2023).
“A number of trends can be pinpointed for this continued growth, which clearly speak in favour of the soft signage market," according to Durst. "These include environmental friendliness through the use of water-based, odourless inks. Other user benefits include cost efficiency in logistics and low ink consumption, as well as fast project implementation and a wide range of applications.
“In tune with these trends in the soft signage market, Durst has developed the P5 TEX iSUB, which is based on the successful P5 platform with a maximum print width of 3.3 meters. At the heart of the Durst P5 TEX iSUB is the integrated inline fusing for direct printing on polyester fabrics.”
The advantages of this one-step process are obvious, said Andrea Riccardi, head of product management, Durst Group AG: "No investment and no floor space is required for a calender. The Durst P5 TEX iSUB is operated by only one operator, and the process acceleration also increases our customers' ability to deliver."
Transfer papers can also be printed and further processed in the usual way. “It is precisely the combination of both processes in one system that gives users enormous flexibility.”
Innovation iSUB - contactless fixing technology
The Sublifix dye sublimation ink developed by Durst delivers “vivid colours, even on difficult media such as blackback or backlit for light boxes or flags. A unique feature of the P5 Text iSUB is its innovative contactless fusing. The iSUB contactless technology ensures excellent colour consistency as well as extreme sharpness of detail in images and text, also blurring or bleeding of colour is virtually eliminated.
“A wide range of applications can be implemented with the P5 TEX iSUB. One example is decorative fabrics with strong, brilliant colours and exact reproduction of details. Another are flags that show good print on both sides of the material even without external calendaring. Blackback applications as well as colourful light boxes round out the spectrum while retaining the soft-touch feel. In all these applications, the Durst RIP plays a central role, ensuring consistent colour across all media.”
The maximum print speed is 383 m2/hour when the 330 cm print format is fully utilized. Access to two rolls via the Multiroll option makes changing materials much easier in practice. In addition, the Dualroll option allows two rolls with a width of 1.6 meters to be printed. Another feature of the Durst P5 TEX is the integrated finishing unit, which can be used to sew and stitch media.
Test under practical conditions
The Durst P5 TEX iSUB is currently undergoing field testing at the Italian ABS Group, which has a long-standing partnership with the Durst Group and has been working with a Rhotex 500 and Rhotex 325 for many years. In conjunction with the Durst P5 TEX iSUB, ABS Group benefits from the flexibility and significant process acceleration.
"The Durst P5 TEX iSUB will also prove its reliability in 24/7 operation and deliver a significant increase in quality to our customers," said Riccardi. The ABS Group management also gives a “very positive assessment” of the Durst Analytics tool, the data from which is used to network the P5 TEX iSUB with the ERP software developed in-house and thus optimize production planning and individual processes.
