Here’s a roundup of some of the latest innovations in digital imprinting and laser-engraving equipment to help promotional products distributors and apparel decorators expand their offerings and make their shops more efficient.

North America’s First Direct-toFabric Printer by Epson

The Monna Lisa 8000 is Epson’s first direct-to-fabric printer available in North America.

The Monna Lisa 8000, Epson’s first direct-to-fabric printer available in North America, is the culmination of over 20 years of research, development and customer feedback, according to the company.

“Epson Monna Lisa printers have long maintained a strong reputation and market position in Italy where they have been used to digitally print fabrics for some of the world’s largest international high-fashion brands,” said Mark Krzywicki, product manager, professional imaging, Epson America Inc. “The Monna Lisa 8000 has been developed to provide that same high quality in a more attainable, easy-to-use package – enabling North American companies to print on a wide variety of fabrics locally for both short runs and larger-volume orders.”

Eight new 4.7-inch printheads are included in the printer to produce crisp textile prints at industrial speeds. It is capable of reproducing complex patterns, color gradations, and photographic detail. The ML-8000 can be installed with either Epson pigment or reactive, acid or disperse ink to best suit each customer’s need and application. The ink and pigment can be used to print on a wide range of textiles including cotton, viscose silk, nylon, silk or wool. It has a hot-swappable, ink system that can hold up 20 liters of each color.

AP Lazer Announces an Entry-Level Machine

Small businesses and startups have the ability to personalize a variety materials with the SN2616LR from AP Lazer.

AP Lazer, Lansing, MI, has introduced the SN2616LR laser machine, which is intended for hobbyists as well as startup entrepreneurs. It can engrave any object, regardless of its size or weight. It’s armed with 60-watt CO2 laser power and a 26-inch x-16-inch cutting and engraving area.

Tong Li, CEO, stated that AP Lazer saw its sales rise by 50% between 2020 and 2021. 90% of that overall growth was due to business startups. “That’s when we decided to speed up our entry-level business machine development,” he said.

With a patented open architecture and low rider carriage cart, the machine can easily engrave furniture and home décor, floors, pavement, doors, windows, and wine barrels and bottles – anything a decorator can cut and customize.

“Creating meaningful products by engraving sentiments that evoke love, inspiration or special memories on something even as mundane as a dollar-store wine glass can directly satisfy a customer’s need and generate high, meaningful profit,” Li said.

Kornit introduces a high-volume digital production solution

The Kornit Atlas MAX Poly allows you to digitally produce high volumes of polyester or polyester-blended fabric.

Kornit Digital just introduced the Kornit Atlas MAX Poly system. It allows high-quality digital decoration using vibrant colors on polyester or poly-blends. This machine takes advantage of the growing demand for stylish sportswear and athleisure.

Omer Kulka, chief marketing officer at Kornit, called the machine a “game changer,” adding, “As fashion and sports apparel merge, there’s new opportunity for innovative fashion on polyester, one of the fastest-growing textile verticals. For the first time, recreational sportswear, promotional and sports brands can embrace vibrant and colorful design with Kornit’s proven MAX technology.”

The machine was revealed during Kornit Fashion Week Tel Aviv. It is equipped with process automation and smart, autonomous quality control. Decorators can use the technology to create multiple effects such as threadless embroidery, high density vinyl, screen transfers, and 3D effects. It’s compatible with mesh and plain fabrics, including brushed polyester, while maintaining durability and breathability.

The Atlas MAX Poly is able to match Pantone colors. It also has a broad color gamut including neon colors. According to the company’s website, the machine can automatically load garments and adjust pallets for consistent, high-quality output. This increases throughput by as much as 20%. The machine was successfully tested with four beta customers around the world and will be made available to all customers by the end of this quarter.

Vastex offers an energy-efficient dryer for DTG printing

Vastex’s LoE Dryer consumes 20% less energy than other dryers.

According to Mark Vasilantone (president), the Lo-E Dryer is a Vastex-based device that cures digital white ink and digital CMYK, as well as DTG pretreatment, at a fast rate. It uses 20% less energy than other dryers.

With a belt measuring 30 inches wide, the DTG dryer can dry up 45 garments per hour. This is when digital white ink is used. It can dry up to 88 garments in 1.5 minutes. This dryer is suitable for CMYK DTG garments and DTG pretreatment.

Modular design allows for easy expansion to add chambers or lengthen conveyors as production requirements increase.

The dryer was designed “to fill the void for direct-to-garment printers who need to cure up to 40 shirts per hour, but who have limited electrical current available,” Vasilantone said.

Drawing only 22 amps, the dryer’s two 24-inch-wide x 18-inch-deep high-efficiency infrared heaters provide 4600 watts of power, maximizing curing capacity and in turn, minimizing energy costs per garment cured. Height-adjustable heaters provide dual-zone temperature control and a boost zone to quickly reach cure temperatures.

“It’s the most energy-efficient dryer in our lineup, and maybe the world,” Vasilantone said.