The Epson SureColour F7200 printer has proven to work very well with the METal substrate
Bang Tidy Clothing has partnered with digital textile specialist i-Sub to offer a dye-sublimation print service onto large format aluminium sheets from METal.
METal aluminium sheets have a specially developed polymer coating for dye sublimation, producing a “perfectly flat, glossy, richly colourful high-quality image”. The aluminium is 1mm thick, and once printed can be displayed flat, curved or even folded.
Using an Epson SureColour-F7200 printer and a Monti Antonio Maxi MOD200 industrial heat press, Bang Tidy Clothing says it is the only company in the UK currently able to produce full-size high-quality sublimation-printed aluminium up to 2.4 x 1.2m.
Nick Collinson, managing director of Bang Tidy Clothing, commented, ‘We are primarily a business-to-consumer company and it is clear to us that while there will be some consumer interest in large format aluminium sheets, most of the new business will be to the business sector.
‘There has been a fairly steep learning curve with the new setup because there are some differences in times and temperatures compared to textile sublimation. Removing moisture has been a key element as this can destroy a sublimated print. However, by purchasing the Epson printer, we have been able to overcome these challenges.’
The Epson SureColour F7200 printer has proven to be well-suited to the METal solution thanks to its printheads and software and the integrated heater/dryer.
Mr Collinson concluded, ‘We are very excited by the potential opportunities that METal opens up for us and are very pleased to be the first company to provide this in the UK.’
