M&R launches new high-speed digital DTG printhead

M&R has announced the launch of DigitalSqueegee high-speed direct-to-garment (DTG) printhead. A preproduction model of the new printhead was previewed at the recent ISS Long Beach Show in January this year, where it performed flawlessly with M&R’s Stryker automatic oval garment printer. The hybrid system was used to print images on both white and black shirts using screen-printed acrylic-based white ink to provide a toned under-base for the black shirt art. Screen printing remains by far the fastest, most economical way to print garments, but the digital component brings with it the ability to add special effects and to make every garment a one-off. In this, the problem has always been one of speed. Slowing a high-speed press down to the point where you turn out a print every thirty to sixty seconds rarely makes economic sense.

But with its ability to print up to 720 images per hour, M&R’s DigitalSqueegee eliminates all conventional issues. The DigitalSqueegee can deliver a full-colour 40 x 50 cm (16″ x 20″) image in less than five seconds. It can be integrated with newer M&R automatic presses, and the CMYK images printed by the DigitalSqueegee are fully compatible with standard and advanced screen printing techniques, which can be used either before or after the digital print takes place.