Roland DG has announced the launch of its new Texart XT-640 inkjet printer for the textile printing industry.
The XT-640 is a dye sublimation transfer*1 printer designed for the production of a wide range of applications including sportswear, fashion, soft signage, interior decoration, promotional merchandise and much more. The XT-640 features dual print heads to achieve production print speeds of 41m²/hr to 63m²/hr and high speed modes up to 102m²/hr*2. The rail and frame structure has been reinforced to enable highly detailed printing with precise ink droplet placement. A new, more convenient Feed Adjuster at the front and back of the printer provides even tensioning and prevents skewing of the media. Optimised for textile printing, Texart ink delivers bold and vibrant colours and deep, rich blacks. Adding orange and violet inks increases the colour gamut and allows for exceptional reds, 
oranges, deep blues and purples, while light cyan and light magenta provide subtle gradations, beautiful skin tones and a remarkably fine level of detail. ErgoSoft Roland Edition RIP software, developed especially for Roland DG by ErgoSoft, the premier RIP provider in the textile printing industry, is available with the XT-640.
According to Gino Farina, Sales and Marketing Director for Roland DG Australia, the XT-640 meets the needs of professional textile production with excellent output performance and image quality. “In October 2014,” he said, “Roland DG launched the RT-640 as the first product in the Texart brand lineup. With the RT-640, we looked for a wide range of textile decoration applications, including sports and fashion apparel, soft signs such as polyester banners and flags, curtains and other interior décor as well as promotional goods and personalised gifts. Since the RT-640’s launch, we have confirmed the demand for higher volume production in this area. The XT-640 was developed as the ideal solution to meet this need.”
Regarding market potential, Gino said: “In the fashion apparel field, trend cycles are becoming shorter as seen in “fast fashion” and the desire for personalisation that represents individual preferences and lifestyles. Within these trends, there is growing demand for digital printers that can quickly provide custom one-off and small-lot production. Also,” Gino continued, “in the field of sports apparel, highly functional polyester materials such as sweat-absorbing, quick-drying and dry-touch features have become popular. There is increasing focus on dye sublimation transfer printers that can produce patterns and logos simultaneously while avoiding the uncomfortable seams inside that arise due to post-process sewing.
Prior to the XT-640’s launch, Roland DG acquired OEKO-TEX Standard 100, product class I*3 certification, ensuring the safety of textile items printed with the XT-640 using Texart ink. Our aim,” Gino said, “is to provide print businesses not only with excellent productivity and image quality, but also with added value including safety and eco-friendly aspects.”
Among the long list of features contributing to the XT-640’s productivity and ease of use, the Roland Ink System uses 1 litre ink pouches to ensure long-run printing. In 4 colour mode, the system provides 2 litres per colour. The proprietary Roland Ink Switching System automatically switches to the backup ink pouch when the primary pouch runs out. Further enabling unattended operation, Roland Printer Assist allows users to check printing status from anywhere in the building using an iPad app.
*1 Dye sublimation transfer is a printing method that transfers illustrations, photos or other images that are printed in inverse on transfer paper with sublimation ink to polyester or other textiles using heat.
*2 Print speed will be dependent on suitability to the chosen application and production workflow.
*3 A worldwide examination and certification system verifying that textile products do not contain substances that are harmful to health. Product Class I certifies the safety of textile products for babies and toddlers aged up to 36 months, whose skin is sensitive, and these products are required to achieve the strictest of standards.
Roland DG Australia
www.rolanddg.com.au/xt
