SAi has updated its Flexi sign-making, print-and-cut Rip software to version 22, adding productivity and workflow features as well as support for direct to film and direct to garment production.

A new feature in Flexi 22 is order snapshots, a way of capturing settings and files for specific jobs that simplifies set-up for repeat orders, gathering the relevant artwork and colour profiles plus all relevant job settings. New production-focused capabilities enable tasks like cutting path generation to be carried out on supplied files, including bitmap types, without needing access to the original artwork-creating application, saving time on back-and-forth requests for amendment with clients.

The design module within Flexi can open and edit files created in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw to add contour cut lines, or these can be auto-generated from bitmap files. DtF/DtG tools enable the automatic generation of white under-layers for printing colours – including halftone images – on dark fabrics or garments, as well as support for solid white elements or knock-outs on white materials. Colour ways for textile or wallpaper designs can also be edited without needing access to original artwork files, and a ‘banded’ approach to Rip output avoids extremely large files having to be processed for large area designs such as wallpaper.

Finishing design tools include automated eyelet placement for banners, various options for image bleed on flaps for block-mounted canvas products and automatic header and footer allowance for pop-up banner design; artwork for very large projects, such as bus wraps, can be created and worked on at actual size. True shape nesting has been improved and is said to allow media savings of up to 20 – 30%, enabling the efficient use of smaller roll-ends or expensive media such as plexiglass.

A new dashboard, called Connect, allows users to keep track of and manage their software licenses and subscriptions and device driver updates, as well as to monitor production and usage of materials and ink; data gathered this way from real-world production can be used to refine estimates. The core Flexi product is complemented by ‘surrounding tools’ such as artwork and logo galleries and access to commercial patterns for step-and-repeat projects such as textiles or wallpaper.

Flexi 22 will be available on 22 June 2022.