Digital printing gaining foothold at Garment Technology Expo ’17

Thus, there were a range of digital devices for textile printing during the 24th edition of Garment Technology Expo (GTE) held from 3 to 6 March 2017 at NSIC exhibition ground in New Delhi. More than 250 companies from 22 countries took part in the exhibition.

The show encompasses the entire breath of garment manufacturing, from sewing machines to finishing and testing to dying and printing to packaging and logistics.

PrintWeek India talks to printing exhibitors during the show. 

Monotech Systems

Monotech Systems has installed four Homer digital textile printers in India — three in Faridabad and one in Gurgaon. “Our total installation is around 20 printers, including four installations in the industrial segment and 15 in dye sublimation,” Manoj Kumar Garg of Monotech Systems said. “All 20 printers were installed in the last few months.”

This is the second time Monotech is at the exhibition and Garg said the company found the footfall to be of potential.

According to Garg, there are around 3,000 dying mills in India and around 3% of them are using digital printing. “In the next five years, most of them will be using digital technology for printing. Thus, the potential and opportunities are huge,” he said, adding that the major market for digital textile printing is Surat which Rajasthan is one of the most growing markets.

Infinity Digital Solutions

New Delhi-based Infinity Digital Solutions (IDS), the trader and supplier of wide-format printers, launched VT-JET grand high-speed digital textile printer during the show. The 3.2m direct fabric printer comes in three varieties — the high quality model runs at 70 sq/m an hour; the production model runs at 100 sq/m an hour and the high speed model runs at 150 sq/m an hour.

IDS has around 200 installations across the country, around 70% of which is dye sublimation and rest 30% is direct-to-fabric. According to Ajit Kumar of IDS, currently the market is down but it will pick up soon.

IDS displayed six wide-format printers at GTE. The company represents China-based Human.

Apsom Infotex

Noida-based Indian manufacturer of wide-format printers under the brand Colorjet and the Indian representative of Japan-based Roland, Apsom Infotex, introduced Colorjet TXF at GTE 2017.

“We have introduced Colorjet TXF eco-friendly digital textile printer with pigment inks for entry and midlevel printers. It works on drop-on-demand printing technology and is equipped with two printing heads. Printing inks can be reactive/ disperse/ pigment-based and up to eight colour can be printed. It is suitable for cotton, silk, wool, blends and polyester,” said Mukeh Kumar Jha of Apsom Infotex.

Apsom also showcased the Vastrajet direct-to-fabric digital textile printer at the show. It comes in four models VJ- 4812, 8812, 4824 and 8824. All models are equipped with eight printing heads and have maximum resolutions up to 1,440dpi.

According to Jha, a dye firm can go for digital solution if its conversion of printing is around 1,500 sq/m per day.

The company has an installation base of 7,000 in India. It has around 100 machines for textile under the brand Colorjet.

Durst India  

Durst India participated in GTE along with its customer, Gurgaon-based Rajdhani Creations. Durst has installed two machines from its Alpha series at Rajdhani. A third machine is on its way. Another machine will be installed at Manesar soon. In total, Durst India has installed five digital printers – two at Rajdhani; one at IR Accessories, Manesar; one each at Jinaam Dresses at Surat and Apsara Silks at Bengaluru.