Roland DG Corporation in Japan has announced the new TY-300 Direct-to-Film (DTF) production transfer printer for the decorated apparel market. Inital availability is only in Japan, before expanding worldwide.
At 30-inch (762mm) film width, the new RolandDG TY-300 will open up more opportunities for size and productivity in transfer-applied garment decoration
The DTF transfer method is still a relatively new, but growing, method to create custom T-shirts, fabric items and sportswear. After printing on a special film, hot-melt powder is applied and thermally melted, before the film is simply layered on fabric and heat-pressed. This method is becoming very popular because it can accommodate complex designs, without weeding, and can transfer to a wide range of materials including cotton, polyester, cotton polyester, denim, nylon, and rayon, as well as dark and light coloured materials.
Tony Miller , RolandDG Corp.
“The TY-300 raises the standard for DTF transfer printing,” says Tony Miller, President, Global Sales and Marketing Division. “It combines high image quality, high productivity, and exceptional cost performance with the rich colours and excellent detailed expression required in the apparel business.”
Newly developed print heads allow for the precise expression of fine lines, small letters, and detailed designs, as well as photographs. The printer is also equipped with the True Rich Color 3 print setting that creates beautiful output that achieves a unique combination of vividness and natural appearance in a single graphic. Two profiles with different white densities are also available for optimal printing according to the color of the fabric.
The staggered layout of the two large print heads enables printing white, essential for apparel printing, with high productivity of 10.9 m2/h in Production mode. A recommended DTF shaker oven is also available to complete the high performance of the TY-300.
New DTF inks, printheads and nozzle upkeep
The newly developed S-PG2 ink enables high-quality output with low ink consumption and reduces the amount of waste during cleaning by reducing ink coagulation in the print head, which is characteristic of the DTF method.
RolandDG also offers the 20" VersaStudio BY 20 DTF printerMaintenance functions are enhanced to ensure stable use at all times. To prevent print head nozzle loss, the print head is automatically cleaned according to the customer’s frequency of use. During manual cleaning, a new print head nozzle refresher tool cleans the print head surface effectively. To minimize downtime, customers can now easily replace caps, wipers, wiper cleaners, and the flushing sponge around the print heads that previously required replacement by service personnel.
TY-300’s inks and powder are certified under OEKO-TEX Eco Passport an international standard for textile products. This guarantees that they do not contain toxic substances in concentrations harmful to the human body and certifies the highest level of safety in the world.
Example of a finished RolandDG DTF-printed item
Miller adds: “Within just a few years of its introduction, DTF technology has revolutionized the process of apparel goods production, and has been implemented in apparel businesses around the world. Meanwhile, customer requirements and expectations for this solution are rapidly increasing. We are confident that the TY-300, with its superior image quality, productivity, and cost performance, will bring high added value and competitiveness to customers engaged in screen printing, printing bureaus, and online sales of original apparel. We will continue to support people’s creativity by providing innovative digital devices.”
Australian release date is not yet disclosed, nor the 'recommended' powder shaker/oven and heat press essential for the production of completed transfers onto textiles.
