Epson is targeting small to medium enterprises to grow its business with the introduction of its first direct-to-garment t-shirt printer, the SureColor SC-F2000. With the global garment printing market expected to be worth over Sh24billion by 2014, small to medium businesses can benefit from the SureColor SC-F2000’s revenue-generating features.
Combined with high performance, low maintenance and running costs, it enables businesses to offer a new t-shirt design and print service. According to Epson Regional Sales Manager Mukesh Bector, online t-shirt shops, production t-shirt printers and even corporate users will benefit from the SC-F2000, as its ink is crack resistant and is soft against skin.
Users can configure the system to suit their needs by choosing from two sets of CMYK ink for white garments or CMYK with up to four white inks for coloured garments. “The printer is bundled with Epson’s garment creator software which includes a cost calculation function that allows users to estimate the print cost by calculating the amount and cost of the ink used for each print job. This can be beneficial if you want to set a tax rate or discount. This design software enables designers to unleash their creativity and easily produce customised, eye-catching designs on t-shirts, caps and bags up to 25mm thick,” he said.
Unique to the industry, this is the first system where a print-head, ink and chassis have been designed and manufactured by a single brand. The hardware and ink are designed to work together and users benefit from the reliability and high-quality output that Epson is renowned for.
Mukesh noted that as well as enjoying the new revenue stream, uses are assured that Epson has applied its years of print knowledge and know-how to deliver an eco-friendly device that excels in performance and delivers low running costs. Featuring Epson’s durable TFP printhead, the SC-F2000 is capable of printing a single white t-shirt in 27 seconds when using dual colour mode and a dark coloured t-shirt in 111 seconds, using white and colour ink, so production is quick without sacrificing print quality.
When used in conjunction with Epson’s UltraChrome DG Ink (available in 250 or 600ml cartridges), the SureColor SC-F2000 excels on dark fabric, because it’s white ink is tough. The white ink is circulated within the system and has been designed to reduce clogging, which increases productivity, allowing deadlines to be met consistently.
The SC-F2000 offers a resolution of up to 1440x1440dpi for accurate dot shape and placement, while its wide colour gamut produces vibrant colours, sharp contours and smooth gradations. Despite its ability to create a lasting visual impact, Epson’s UltraChrome DG ink is kind to those it comes into contact with. The eco-friendly ink has been awarded a part certification from Oeko-Tex® Standard 100[1], which means it doesn’t contain any harmful substrates.
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