DTG/DTF

10 Sep

Understanding the advantages of RIP Software for DTG

The importance of digital textile printing has grown significantly throughout the last decade. While the process is challenging and the workflow must be well understood, technological advances in software, printing equipment, print heads and inks, have allowed the creation of more cost-effective solutions for short print runs.

Direct-to-garment [DTG] printing represents a growing segment of this market. This is because of the technology’s ability to customise garments. The basis of DTG production is finished and, in many cases, pre-prepared garments, which can be used for customisation both on a large scale and in small volumes. There are two types of machines on the market: commercial and industrial. Traditionally, the first ones were found in local businesses where very short customisation runs or premium clothes were produced. In contrast, the industrial printers are responsible for larger runs in factories that focus on outsourcing. 

Today, a hybrid between the two previous models is emerging and the popularisation of mass customisation, boosted by the growth of ecommerce, is facilitating that. With this model, companies provide users with a production centre in just a few clicks. They will be able to print their own designs on-demand and with no minimum or maximum number of repetitions. It enables companies to be more flexible in responding to both individual orders and larger print runs. 

From a supply chain point of view, there is a requirement among print service providers for both machine types, either through synergies or by expanding resources. For this reason, DTG is gaining more and more strength as it allows companies to choose from a wide range of devices which can adapt to the needs of each manufacturer and situation on an individual basis, thus simplifying customisation in the fashion and apparel market. 

RIP software for DTG printing

Behind every good DTG print, there is a learning process based on the technology used to create a workflow, how this technology has been adapted to meet the needs of the print service provider, and the requirements of the end consumer. Manufacturer’s must learn about the printers, the inks, the fabrics, and especially the software to enhance results. 

RIP software is responsible for interpreting a file and calculating how many drops of each colour will be needed to obtain the best results. It does this while considering the productivity of the printing device. 

In other words, if you invest in a DTG printer, whether industrial or desktop, RIP software is the solution to allow manufacturers to get the most out of a printer’s functionalities. 

Inèdit always recommends RIP software with modes specifically designed for DTG printing. But which key features should be measured when looking for the right RIP software?

The right software

It is important to consider colour management. With RIP software you can operate with CMYK and RGB colour profiles. The difference between the two methods lies in the way they interpret the colours they have. In short, CMYK profiles have four inks and create colours from the superposition of these. White is created from the absence of these colours and black is created from the sum of these colour profiles.

Meanwhile, the RGB method has three inks and creates new colours from the variation of their light. This allows for the interpretation of a wider range of colours. Therefore, a RIP that works in RGB will significantly increase the number of colours that a printer can export, thus improving printing quality.

An RIP software’s calibration system also influences the accuracy of a colour base when printing. Calibration is carried out to understand what colour interpretation capacity a device has, and then indicates how each of the colours and gradients should be exported. An intuitive and fast calibration system is what Inèdit recommends when printing DTG. RIP software should also have integrated concepts to calculate the ink limit, make linearisations, and see the profile of the printer in operation. 

Additionally, in discovering the right RIP software, white management must be factored in. The white channel in DTG printing is one of its main features. With the correct white management, it is possible to save money and ink in production runs. In DTG printing, the white channel is used to create a layer between the substrate and the ink when the substrate is black, or a specific colour, so that the colour of the printed ink is not affected by the substrate. The disadvantage of not managing this channel is that the use of white ink increases significantly, thus affecting the price of production. It is therefore important to have a RIP software that has a set of defined standards. 

For instance, neoStampa Delta incorporates different printing modes depending on the use of white ink. Printers can choose between creating an all-white background under the drawing, or use default values for black, grey and coloured backgrounds. 


Another benefit of the white channel generation is that it allows hybrid DTG printers to detect the white they are going to print first and the colour channels they are going to put on top of it.

However, the settings for black backgrounds should also be understood. The RIP software should allow print service providers to use the black background of a T-shirt, for example, as to avoid using black ink or creating greys by mixing white ink with the same background. By using this type of configuration, up to US$0.60 per print, and up to 30% of white ink consumption, can be saved. 

Moreover, RIP software should have a choke system. This is the method that avoids registration problems when printing an image on a background colour. It should also support transparency: accept several formats that use a transparent colour or an alpha channel and take advantage of the T-shirt background. 

On-demand printing

DTG print service providers have traditionally provided for end consumers on-demand thanks to growth in ecommerce.  However, there is growing trend among leading brands to capitalise on the growing demand for personalised fashion and Web2Print. Some larger brands have been implementing DTG to limited short-run collections based on the latest fashion trends inspired by online influencers and celebrities. 

In the industrial field, this translates into the need to generate more agile communication with the customer and faster and more efficient production. Therefore, digital printing continues to grow as it allows for the start and stop of print runs at any time.

Web2Print has been born in response to this new trend. It consists of personalisation at its maximum exponent, allowing a customer, both individuals and businesses, to send a file in a specific format from 

a website so that the manufacturer can print it directly, whether it is just one unit or a short print run. But how can RIP software help in this whole process? 

Firstly, it maintains the colour output that the customer expects when sending a file and secondly, it helps the manufacturer organise the workflow and extract cost information. 

If a customer sends a file with an embedded profile – for instance, Adobe RGB or Apple RGB – it is easy for the manufacturer to access those from their RIP software, as long as it is specialised in RGB. This way, the printed colours will meet expectations because they accurately match what the customer saw on screen when they originally placed the order. This process also reduces the need for sampling. 

From a manufacturer’s point of view, Inèdit highlights two drawbacks that could be solved with a good RIP software. The first of these is a lack of organisation when receiving work orders and transferring them to production. A very useful concept included in some RIP software is the print queues. These arrange pending work orders into different queues according to the production printer that is going to be used. 

In addition, there is some RIP software, like neoStampa, which enables users to access print queues remotely from anywhere in the world: printing sequences can be organised, the preferred output for each machine can be set, and print runs can be stopped and resumed at any time. All of this can be dictated from outside the manufacturing facility and simplifies the flow of communication from any department anywhere in the world. 

Furthermore, it is important that the software incorporates a cost control screen. This is how manufacturers put a price on orders placed online or remotely. A cost control system will consider both the productivity of a company and the costs derived from it. Therefore, by knowing the units needed for each run, the current ink price, and the cost of consumables, basic production costs can be generated. That helps manufacturers apply a final price to the printed product. 

[sub-head] neoStampa Delta for DTG

For years, Inèdit has been working with leading DTG printing brands such as SanRoq, Epson and Brother but this year has taken a further step by launching a new version of neoStampa Delta which is equipped with a module dedicated to the high-growth digital DTG printing market. The latest software upgrade is designed to work with both small- and large-format printers.

DTG/DTF , ,
Read more...
16 Jun

DTF vs DTG: Which is the best alternative?

The pandemic has prompted the small studios focused on Print-on-demand production and with it, DTG and DTF printing have hit the market, increasing the interest of manufacturers who want to start working with personalized garments.  

Since now, Direct-to-garment (DTG) has been the main method used for t-shirt printings and small productions, but in the last months Direct-to-film or Film-to-Garment (DTF)  has generated interest in the industry, winning every time more supporters. To understand this paradigm shift, we need to know what the differences are between one method and the other. 

Both types of printing are suitable for small items or personalisation, such as T-shirts or masks. However, the results and the printing process are different in both cases, so it can be difficult to decide which one to choose for a business. 

DTG: 

  • It needs pre-treatment: In the case of DTG, the process starts with the pre-treatment of the garments. This step is necessary before printing, as we are going to work directly on the fabric and this will allow the ink to be well fixed and avoid transferring it through the fabric. In addition, we will need to heat the garment before printing to activate this treatment.
  • Printing direct to garment: With DTG you are printing Direct to Garment, so the process can be shorter than DTF, you don’t need to transfer. 
  • White ink usage: We have the option of putting a white mask as a base, to ensure that the ink does not mix with the colour of the media, although this is not always necessary (for example on white bases) and it is also possible to reduce the use of this mask, putting white only in some areas. 
  • Printing on cotton: With this type of printing we can only print on cotton garments. 
  • Final press: To fix the ink, we must do a final press at the end of the process and we will have our garment ready. 

DTF: 

  • No need for pre-treatment: In DTF printing, as it is pre-printed on a film, which will have to be transferred, there is no need to pre-treat the fabric. 
  • Printing on film: In DTF we print on film and then the design must be transferred to the fabric. This can make the process a bit longer compared to DTG. 
  • Adhesive powder: This type of printing will require the use of an adhesive powder, which will be used just after printing the ink on the film. On printers specifically created for DTF this step is included in the printer itself, so you avoid any manual steps. 
  • Use of white ink: In this case, it is necessary to use a layer of white ink, which is placed on top of the color layer. This is the one that is transferred onto the fabric and serves as a base for the main colours of the design. 
  • Any type of fabric: One of the advantages of DTF is that it allows you to work with  any type of fabric, not just cotton. 
  • Transfer from film to fabric: The last step of the process is to take the printed film and transfer it to the fabric with a press. 

So,  When deciding which print to choose, what considerations should we take into account? 

  • The material of our printouts: As mentioned above, DTG can only be printed on cotton, whereas DTF can be printed on many other materials. 
  • The production volume: Currently, DTG machines are much more versatile and allow for larger and faster production than DTF. So it is important to be clear about the production needs of each business. 
  • The result: The final result of one print and the other is quite different. While in DTG the drawing and the inks are integrated with the fabric and the feel is rougher, like the base itself, in DTF the fixing powder makes it feel plastic, shinier, and less integrated with the fabric. However, this also gives a feeling of greater quality in the colors, as they are pure, the base color does not intervene.
  • Use of white: A priori, both techniques need quite a lot of white ink to print, but with the use of a good Rip Software, it is possible to control the layer of white that is applied in DTG, depending on the base colour and thus reduce costs considerably. For example, neoStampa has a special print mode for DTG that not only allows you a quick calibration to improve the colours, but you can also choose the amount of white ink to use on different types of fabrics.

In a nutshell, DTF printing seems to be gaining ground over DTG, but in reality, they have very different applications and uses. For small-scale printing, where you are looking for good color results and you don’t want to make such a large investment, DTF may be more suitable. But the DTG now has more versatile printing machines, with different plates and processes, which allow faster and more flexible printing.  

DTG/DTF , , ,
Read more...
31 Mar

Understanding the advantages of RIP software for DTG printing

Inèdit Software assesses the benefits of direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, its impact on the industry, and how the use of the right software can improve production workflows and end results.

The importance of digital textile printing has grown significantly throughout the last decade. While the process is challenging and the workflow must be well understood, technological advances in software, printing equipment, printheads and inks, have allowed the creation of more cost-effective solutions for short print runs.

Direct-to-garment [DTG] printing represents a growing segment of this market. DTG printers can be used to customise products in large or small volumes. There are two types of machines on the market: commercial and industrial. Traditionally, DTG printers were used by local businesses where short customisation runs or premium clothes were produced. In contrast, industrial printers are responsible for larger runs in factories that focus on outsourcing.

Today, a hybrid between the two previous models is emerging and the popularisation of mass customisation is facilitating that. With this model, companies provide users with a production centre in just a few clicks. They will be able to print their own designs on-demand and with no minimum or maximum number of repetitions. It enables companies to be more flexible.

From a supply chain point of view, there is a requirement among print service providers for both machine types, either through synergies or by expanding resources. For this reason, DTG is gaining more and more strength as it allows companies to choose from a wide range of devices which can adapt to the needs of each manufacturer and situation on an individual basis, thus simplifying customisation in the fashion & apparel market.

Colour management is a persistent challenge but which RIP software can assist with

Inèdit is aiming to expand its signature neoStampa Delta software into the DTG market in 2020 following the inclusion of a new module

RIP software can streamline production and improve print quality

RIP SOFTWARE FOR DTG PRINTING

Behind every good DTG print is a learning process based on the technology used to create a workflow, how this technology has been adapted to meet the needs of the print service provider, and the requirements of the end consumer. Manufacturers must learn about the printers, inks, fabrics, and especially the software to enhance results.

RIP software is responsible for interpreting a file and calculating how many drops of each colour will be needed to obtain the best results. It does this while considering the productivity of the printing device.

Inèdit always recommends RIP software with modes specifically designed for DTG printing. But which key features should be measured when looking for the right RIP software?

THE RIGHT SOFTWARE

It is important to consider colour management. When choosing a RIP software you can find the ones that operate in CMYK and the ones that can also read RGB profiles. The difference between the two methods lies in the way they interpret the colours they have. In short, CMYK profiles have four inks and create colours from the superposition of those. White is created from the absence of these colours and black is created from the sum of these colour profiles.

Meanwhile, the RGB method has three inks and creates new colours from the variation of their light. This allows for the interpretation of a wider range of colours. Therefore, a RIP that works in RGB will significantly increase the number of colours that a printer can export, thus improving printing quality.

A  RIP software’s calibration system also influences the accuracy of a colour base when printing. Calibration is carried out to understand what colour interpretation capacity a device has, and then indicates how each of the colours and gradients should be exported. An intuitive and fast calibration system is what Inèdit recommends when printing DTG. RIP software should also have integrated concepts to calculate the ink limit, make linearisations, and see the profile of the printer in operation.

Additionally, in discovering the right RIP software, white management must be factored in. The white channel in DTG printing is one of its main features. With the correct white management, it is possible to save money and ink in production runs. In DTG printing, the white channel is used to create a layer between the substrate and the ink when the substrate is black, or a specific colour, so that the colour of the printed ink is not affected by the substrate. The disadvantage of not managing this channel is that the use of white ink increases significantly, thus affecting the price of production. It is therefore important to have a RIP software that has a set of defined standards.

For instance, neoStampa Delta incorporates different printing modes depending on the use of white ink. Printers can choose between creating an all-white background under the drawing, or use default values for black, grey and coloured backgrounds.

Another benefit of the white channel generation is that it allows hybrid DTG printers to detect the white they are going to print first and the colour channels they are going to put on top of it.

However, the settings for black backgrounds should also be understood. The RIP software should allow print service providers to use the black background of a T-shirt, for example, as to avoid using black ink or creating greys by mixing white ink with the same background. By using this type of configuration, up to US$0.60 per print, and up to 30% of white ink consumption, can be saved.

Moreover, RIP software should have a choke system. This is the method that avoids registration problems when printing an image on a background colour. It should also support transparency: accept several formats that use a transparent colour or an alpha channel and take advantage of the T-shirt background.

ON-DEMAND PRINTING

DTG print service providers have traditionally provided for end consumers on-demand thanks to growth in ecommerce. However, there is a growing trend among leading brands to capitalise on an increasing demand for personalised fashion via Web2Print. Some larger brands have been implementing DTG to print short-run collections based on the latest fashion trends inspired by online influencers and celebrities.

In the industrial field, this translates into the need to generate more agile communication with the customer and faster and more efficient production. Therefore, digital printing continues to grow as it allows for the start and stop of print runs at any time.

Web2Print has been born in response to this new trend. It allows a customer to send a file in a specific format so that the manufacturer can print it, and the order size is irrelevent. But how can RIP software help in this whole process?

Firstly, it maintains the colour output that the customer expects when sending a file and secondly, it helps the manufacturer organise the workflow and extract cost information.

If a customer sends a file with an embedded profile – for instance, Adobe RGB or Apple RGB – it is easy for the manufacturer to access it from their RIP software, as long as it is specialised in RGB. This way, the printed colours will meet expectations because they accurately match what the customer saw on screen when they originally placed the order. This process also reduces the need for sampling.

From a manufacturer’s point of view, Inèdit highlights two drawbacks that could be solved with a good RIP software. The first of these is a lack of organisation when receiving work orders and transferring them to production. A very useful concept included in some RIP software is the print queue. These arrange pending work orders into different queues according to the production printer that is going to be used.

In addition, there is some RIP software, like neoStampa, which enables users to access print queues remotely from anywhere in the world: printing sequences can be organised, the preferred output for each machine can be set, and print runs can be stopped and resumed at any time. All of this can be dictated from outside the manufacturing facility and simplifies the flow of communication from any department anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, it is important that the software incorporates a cost control screen. This is how manufacturers put a price on orders placed online or remotely. A cost control system will consider both the productivity of a company and the costs derived from it. Therefore, by knowing the units needed for each run, the current ink price, and the cost of consumables, basic production costs can be generated. That helps manufacturers apply a final price to the printed product.

NEOSTAMPA DELTA FOR DTG

For years, Inèdit has been working with leading DTG printing brands such as SanRoq, Epson and Brother but this year has taken a further step by launching a new version of neoStampa Delta which is equipped with a module dedicated to the high-growth digital DTG printing market. The latest software upgrade is designed to work with both small- and large-format printers.

Article written for Digital Textile Magazine

DTG/DTF , , ,
Read more...