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The Printing Industry Trends You’ll Be Talking About in 2024
Posted on by Liliana Wright Posted in Marketing & Sales, News & Trends, Technology & Products
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The Printing Industry Trends You’ll Be Talking About in 2024

As we step into 2024, transformative trends are sweeping across the landscape, and LexJet is at the forefront, foreseeing these changes as key to revolutionizing your business. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable products, we delve into the top trends that will redefine the industry. Join us as we explore these trends, bringing innovation and paving the way for what lies ahead in the dynamic world of printing.

Dye Sublimation on Fabric

The future of dye sublimation for grand and large format printing, particularly for trade shows, appears promising. Dye sublimation is emerging as a preferred option for décor and apparel due to its unparalleled versatility. The potential of dye sublimation knows no bounds, as it enables the creation of visually stunning prints. Its advantages include not only aesthetic appeal but also practical benefits. The process is user-friendly with the right equipment and substrate, leading to efficient and high-quality printing. Sublimated fabric is lightweight, allowing for easy and cost-effective shipping. The cost-effectiveness extends to production, making it an economically attractive option. Additionally, the sublimation printing process is odorless, can be environmentally sustainable, and offers straightforward installation, positioning dye sublimation as a frontrunner in the future of large-scale printing and trade show displays.

Direct Printing

Direct printing is gaining widespread popularity as an alternative to the traditional transfer process in printing. More and more people opt for direct printing due to its streamlined single-step workflow. This approach eliminates the need for an intermediary step, offering greater efficiency in the printing process. With the right fabric choice, such as UFabrik, and a compatible printer, direct printing allows users to bypass issues like ink migration and coalescence, ensuring a more precise and vibrant output. While finishing, such as sewing, is still needed, the availability of such services from production companies makes it a seamless part of the overall direct printing process. This shift towards direct printing signifies a move towards simplicity, speed, and enhanced quality in fabric printing.

UV Technology

UV printing has emerged as a dominant ink technology alongside dye sublimation, with advancements driven by LED technology. The notable advantage of UV printing lies in its ability to operate without heat, a significant improvement that enhances its versatility. This technology boasts excellent scratch resistance and the capability to print white ink, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Whether printing on rolls or boards, UV printing offers a vast selection of media at competitive pricing, contributing to its rapid expansion in the printing market.

Sustainable Products

In pursuing sustainability, it has become imperative that eco-friendly products surpass the standards set by their non-sustainable counterparts. Remarkable strides have been made in developing PVC-free or recyclable materials, which now offer not only environmental benefits but also high performance comparable to traditional products. The significant progress in this area is exemplified by products like LINTEC‘s optically clear recycled films. These innovative products not only meet the demand for sustainability but do so without compromising aesthetics or functionality. The competitive pricing of these products makes them increasingly appealing, challenging the idea that sustainability comes at a premium. As the market embraces these eco-friendly alternatives, the landscape is shifting towards a future where sustainable choices are responsible and superior in quality and performance.

Desktop and Home-Based Business Printers

Desktop and small print-and-cut eco-solvent printers have become game-changers for the Etsy market and side-business owners. These printers combine portability, affordability, and ease of use, making them ideal for entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand their creative ventures. The intuitive software accompanying these printers simplifies the printing process, providing step-by-step guidance. This user-friendly approach not only caters to seasoned professionals but also encourages newcomers to the field. The consumer-based workflow these printers offer facilitates the production of a diverse range of products with ease, allowing Etsy sellers and side-business owners to explore and expand their product lines without the difficulty often associated with larger printing setups. These compact and efficient printers empower small-scale entrepreneurs to turn their creative visions into tangible, marketable products.

Direct-to-Film and Direct-to-Garment

The evolution of direct-to-film (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing have undergone significant changes in recent years. DTF has taken the industry by storm, capturing its attention with its rapid popularity. Introducing more sophisticated shaker operations and the promise of powderless DTF technologies on the horizon are poised to bring even greater success to this printing method. On the other hand, DTG, despite its longstanding presence in the market, faced challenges such as limitations in printing on polyesters and the necessity to print exclusively on cotton. However, advancements are underway. These advancements hold the potential to not only enhance quality but also drive down pricing, offering consumers a more accessible and higher-quality printing experience.

Where do you want to take your business in 2024? To learn more about new and exciting trends and how to take your business to the next level, contact a LexJet Customer Specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit LexJet.com.

Technology in Action
Posted on by Perla Johnson Posted in Marketing & Sales, News & Trends, Promotions & Rebates, Technology & Products
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Technology in Action

Are you in the Atlanta, Georgia area and looking to learn more about the latest and greatest in printing technology? Look no further! We are excited to invite you to a demonstration day event for Mimaki printers.

This event will provide an opportunity for you to see the printers in action and learn about their features and capabilities. Our team of experts will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and provide demonstrations of the newest UV-LED, dye sublimation, eco-solvent, and 3D printing technology.

At this event, you will have the chance to see the latest Mimaki printers in action, and learn more about their capabilities, including their high-quality print output, speed, and ease of use. You will also have the opportunity to speak with our team of experts and ask any questions you may have about these printers and how they can benefit your business.

This event is valuable for anyone in the Atlanta area who is interested in learning more about Mimaki printers and their potential for your business. With the latest technology and features, these printers can help you streamline your operations and increase your productivity.

The demo day will be held on February 23rd from 10AM to 3PM at the Mimaki Atlanta Technology Center in Sewanee, Georgia.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the latest technology in the printing industry and learn how it can benefit your business. We hope to see you at our demo day event.

Where:

Mimaki ATL Technology Center
150 Satellite Blvd. NE
Suwanee, GA 30024

LexJet Demo Day- Mimaki in Atlanta, February 23 – Registration closed.

Innovative Products That Take on Heat and Pressure Like a Champ
Posted on by Liliana Wright Posted in Marketing & Sales, Technology & Products
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Innovative Products That Take on Heat and Pressure Like a Champ

Venturing into the world of dye-sublimation can lead to an adventurous journey of countless possibilities and profitable paths. From high-end wall tiles that elevate a space to small, personalized products that increase brand awareness, your imagination is the only limit to your business growth.

Investing in the right equipment and high-quality products can significantly impact productivity, efficiency, and profitability. One essential product for all businesses offering dye-sublimation is a heat press that can take on the necessary heat and pressure and deliver high-quality results every time. LexJet provides many solutions to fit your sublimation needs, including Geo Knight and Sefa heat presses. Not all heat presses are the same, so which one you invest in will depend on budget, space, and the level of automation you require.

Geo Knight Presses

Geo Knight offers presses of various sizes, manual and automated, with a heavy-duty, long-lasting solid steel welded framework. One popular option for smaller projects or a business just starting with sublimation is the manual Geo Knight Digital Knight 16×20 Swinger. The 16×20 swing-away moves the top to the side so you can have full access to the table to place your substrate, then swing the top back in place when you’re ready to press. This type of design can make t-shirt pressing a breeze!

The automatic version, Geo Knight Digital Knight Automatic Air, offers smooth automatic pressing and pushbutton activation providing a productive, fatigue-free operation.

The controller utilizes an easy-to-read oversized-digit LCD to show time and temperature simultaneously. These presses feature a high-accuracy pressure regulator and pressure gauge for specific psi settings, which is a critical factor for success when pressing different substrates that may each require a particular pressure for best results.

The operator can use the 70 programmable presets for saving common application settings of Temp/Time/Pressure, ensuring consistent, repeatable results for all applications. Having preset settings for each product you offer can save you time and avoid costly errors that may occur when the incorrect heat or pressure is used. Not enough pressure can result in faded-looking products, and too much heat may burn your design. Geo Knight boasts a lifetime warranty on the heat platen and an unprecedented 3-year warranty on the heat-control electronics.

Sefa Presses

If you’re looking for a different type of heat press that is not a swing-away or clamshell style, one option is Sefa’s SLIDE 1285 UL, a large-format, air-operated, manual-drawer press. The SLIDE 1285’s two independent heating areas make it suitable for sublimation on large-format textiles and large-format rigid substrates.

SUBLI 1510+ UL is a large-format pneumatic press with two motorized drawer plates dedicated to textile and rigid substrate sublimation. The pneumatic system allows heat and pressure to disperse evenly during the sublimation process, which reduces ghosting and other challenges customers have experienced with other heat presses.

Sefa worked closely with the ChromaLuxe® manufacturers to create the perfect heat presses for their high-end aluminum panels, so the Sefa and ChromaLuxe duo is a winning sublimation combination.

Popular applications for the Sefa solutions include sublimation to rigid substrates, textile sublimation, flex, and with ChromaLuxe Aluminum panels.

Unisub Sublimatable Blanks

Once you’ve chosen the heat press that will take your business to the next level, the next step is determining which products your company wants to offer. LexJet has many durable, easy-to-use sublimation blanks available such as Unisub coasters, ornaments, magnets, key chains, pet tags, and the beautiful ChromaLuxe wall tiles that will elevate the ambiance of any space. ChromaLuxe tiles are available in various sizes and finishes offering superior quality and durability.

ChromaLuxe Wall Tiles

 

Customized gifts and products are hot sellers, adding a much more personal touch to company gifts for employees, family and friends, and customers who want their unique gift or promotional products to stand out. The sublimation process is easy- choose your design, print, and press onto your chosen substrate for a unique product your customers will love.

No matter what you plan to offer your customers, we have high-quality equipment and products to expand your market. To learn more, please contact a LexJet Customer Specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit lexjet.com.

 

 

Heat Things up with Sefa Heat Presses
Posted on by Jennifer Corn Posted in Technology & Products
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Heat Things up with Sefa Heat Presses

Peanut butter and jelly. Batman and Robin. Kittens and puppies. Some things just go together. Now, you can add Sefa and ChromaLuxe to that list of dynamic duos.

Sefa worked closely with the ChromaLuxe manufacturers to create the perfect heat presses for their high-end aluminum panels. The pneumatic system allows heat and pressure to disperse evenly during the sublimation process, which reduces ghosting and other challenges customers have experienced with other heat presses.

LexJet offers three presses to meet your dye-sublimation needs:

SLIDE 1285 – The SLIDE 1285 is a large-format, air-operated, manual-drawer press. The SLIDE 1285’s two independent heating areas make It suitable for sublimation on large-format textiles and large-format rigid substrates.

Applications: Sublimation to rigid substrates, textile sublimation, flex, and the SLIDE 1285 was created in a special partnership to work specifically with ChromaLuxe Aluminum panels.

SUBLI 1510+ – The SUBLI 1510+ is a large-format pneumatic press with two motorized drawer plates dedicated to textile and rigid substrate sublimation.

Applications: Sublimation to rigid substrates, textile sublimation, flex, and the SUBLI 1510+ was created in a special partnership to work specifically with ChromaLuxe Aluminum panels.

SUBLIMAXI 2513 – The SUBLIMAXI 2513 is our largest press model. It is suitable for large-format textile prints and large-format rigid substrates.

Applications: Sublimation to rigid substrates, textile sublimation, flex, and the SUBLIMAXI 2513 was created in a special partnership to work specifically with ChromaLuxe Aluminum panels.

Visit our Dye-sub library to see our complete line-up of dye-sub printers, inks, and accessories.

For more information on the new line of Sefa heat presses, contact a LexJet specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit our dedicated resource page.

Posted on by Jennifer Corn Posted in Technology & Products
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Say Hello to the EPSON SureColor F170

Epson is making one of the biggest splashes in the dye-sublimation market with one of the smallest printers available. Introducing the SureColor F170, a true desktop dye-sub printer.

It is perfect for small companies that personalize gifts like mugs, mousepads, and more. This little workhorse also fits in with companies currently using large-format printers for small jobs. Now you can save time and money and reduce waste with the EPSON SureColor F170.

SCF170 upper+left with print

Highlights

  • Genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink technology — delivers extraordinary color saturation and high color contrast
  • Versatile media support —includes a 150-sheet auto-feed tray for added efficiency; supports sheet media up to 8 1/2-in x 14-in
  • Replace ink less often — high-capacity ink bottles with auto-stop for easy, mess-free filling
  • Tackle a variety of print jobs — Epson DS Multi-Use transfer paper produces amazing images on both soft and rigid materials
  • Easy printing right out of the box — comes equipped with streamlined print software optimized for dye-sublimation

To find out more about the printer, as well as available accessories, visit our dedicated resource page or visit LexJet.com. Still have questions? Contact a printer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Three Major Wide-format Trends to Watch in 2020
Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in News & Trends
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Three Major Wide-format Trends to Watch in 2020

If you’ve been in wide format printing for a while, or even if you’re new here, you’ve probably noticed that things move pretty quickly in this space, from customer expectations to equipment upgrades to new material launches. These changes, upgrades and improvements are never-ending, so here’s a quick list of what we see as the hot topics to watch as 2020 gets started:

Strategic Convergence. You heard a lot about convergence at Printing United, specifically. There was a wave of chatter about diversifying and jumping into different segments to stay relevant, serving at least two segments, like sign & graphic, apparel or packaging. Sales and profitability were both up the most in 2018 for sign & graphic producers, according to NAPCO Research and SGIA. But when diversifying, businesses may have growing pains from adding staff or lacking focus. Working with a good partner who supplies material as well as education and business consultation is key to helping you make the best decisions of material inventory, equipment upgrades and workflow efficiencies. Get a handle on these issues, and your team can converge strategically.

Environmental Responsibility. If there’s one topic on everyone’s tongues, it’s sustainability. At Printing United, some customers who visited our booth were only interested in eco-friendly material options. There’s a generational divide to keep in mind: While Baby Boomer customers tend to embrace their brand loyalty, Millennials and younger are willing to pay more for products made with sustainability in mind. This is true in the consumer world, and growing increasingly true in the business decisions they make. Our industry is working hard to find ways to make materials from recycled or reclaimed items, like plastic water bottles, and, in turn, ways for those products to be recycled or reused to create a circular economy that the print world hasn’t seen previously. Stay tuned for product releases that are better for the earth so you can plan to market them to the customers who are the most receptive to them.

Increased Competition. This isn’t competition from the sign shop down the street. It’s competition from your own customers, who now have access to lower-priced, entry-level printing equipment that’s allowing them to do their own in-house printing — like retail outlets, schools and more. Combat this by excelling in areas they can’t, such as more complex decor applications that require more intense set up and installation; investment in new technology, like dye-sublimation, which can advance you into textile printing; or offer customization in printing with software that allows your team to use variable data to create unique prints (like these serialized decals). Wow your customers with your experience, craftsmanship and innovation, and they won’t want to do it without you.