Summa, Epson, and Multi-Plot Showcase Textile Production Micro-factory at Texprocess 2024
Summa Press Release
For immediate release 16/04/2024
Frankfurt Am Main, April 2024—At Texprocess 2024, the epicentre of the textile industry, three industry greats—Summa, Epson, and Multi-Plot—will collaborate to create a textile workflow, guiding visitors through a production line from A to Z. The micro-factory will demonstrate the benefits of a well-aligned textile production workflow on a customer’s business.
Summa, Multi-Plot, and Epson believe that in today's competitive landscape, creating an efficient and fast workflow is not just advantageous but imperative for ensuring the success of any business endeavour. Visitors can learn how to boost productivity, reduce operational costs, and deliver better products by streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation, and minimizing production delays.
The following companies will work closely together to create a fast and efficient micro-factory:
- Epson – Printing | epson.de | Stand 8 – C32
- Multi-Plot - Calendars for dye sublimation and transfer printing | multiplot.de | Stand 8 – C38
- Summa – Laser Cutting | summa.com | Stand 8 – D35
A Step-by-step Guide To The Textile Production Process
The micro-factory will recreate a complete real-life production workflow on a smaller scale. This way, we can accurately show our visitors the production process and how the right equipment in a smooth-running workflow can greatly benefit their business.
Step 1: Choosing The Correct Material
The production process starts by choosing the suitable material for the job. We chose Greentex by Sutex because they deliver a high-quality textile and they are eco-friendly. In fact the materials we are going to use are Oeko-Tex certified. For the production of shirts, we will use Tomine Eco fabric, made out of 100% recycled polyester and for the production of pillows, we will use Universal Eco, which is 65% recycled polyester and 35% normal polyester.
Step 2: Printing The Design
The next step is to print the design. Epson chose the SureColor F9400H dye-sublimation printer. The design will be printed using Epson's Edge Print software solution. Edge Print includes a complete colour management solution (incl. SD-10, SD-10 Automated Scanning Table and Edge Color Lite software). It creates media profiles and performs colour matching and verification for Epson printers quickly and easily. The design is mirror-printed onto transfer paper.
Step 3: Sealing The Design Onto The Fabric
Once that is done, it’s time to calendar. The fabric and transfer paper are simultaneously fed into the calendar, a Kalander HJ 75 provided by Multi-Plot. The materials are positioned in such a way that the printed side of the transfer paper faces the fabric, with the design appropriately aligned. As the fabric and paper pass through the machine, heat and pressure are applied. The heat activates the ink, causing it to transfer and fix onto the fabric, while the pressure facilitates this process, ensuring the good adhesion and durability of the print.
Step 4: Cutting The Fabric
After printing and calendaring the design, Summa’s L1810 laser cutter with Caron feeder cuts the material. The new Caron Cradle feeder makes media loading and switching easier while also lowering media waste. The feeder ensures that the material is fed perfectly aligned and that there is no tension on the material to perform a perfect cut. Summa laser cutters are fast and efficient. After cutting, the material has a thin, sealed edge, which avoids fraying and makes finishing, such as sewing, easier.
Step 5: The Finished Product
The finished products will be on display at the booth of Summa and Multi-Plot, however, sewing is not shown live. With the micro-factory, we want visitors to experience what a modern production workflow can look like, requiring minimal operator intervention by automating steps in the process.
Visit us during Texprocess and discover how you can optimise the production workflow of textiles: it’s fast, efficient, and reliable.
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Epson | Printing
Epson is a world-leading technology company committed to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities through the use of its efficient, compact and precise technologies. The company offers a wide range of digital textile printers that can be used to print on various types of textiles such as premium sportswear, apparel, promotional products, soft signage, accessories and gadgets on fabrics, garments and rigid substrates. All products are fully developed and manufactured by Epson to ensure high quality results and efficient utilisation with low running costs.
Stand 8 – C32 | www.epson.de
Multi-plot | Dye Sublimation Transfer Printing
Multi-Plot is an expert dealer in advertising technology and digital printing. The company offers a single source of specialist advise for digital textile printing and enables complete solutions. It has been doing that for over 25 years, making them a true pioneer in the field. Today, Multi-Plot is continually expanding their range so it can always offer customers high-quality products.
Stand 8 – C38 | www.multiplot.de
Summa | Laser Cutting
Summa is a market-leading manufacturer of innovative digital cutting equipment that helps clients cut their applications to the highest standards. For more than three decades, Summa delivers top-notch vinyl and contour cutters, flatbed cutters, and laser cutters without compromise. Companies from all over the world use Summa’s cutting solutions for products in the signage, display, apparel, and packaging industries.
Stand 8 – D35 | www.summa.com
About Summa
Every day, for more than three decades, Summa delivers the world's highest-quality vinyl and contour cutters, flatbed cutting systems and laser cutters without compromise. Summa provides cutting edge solutions for the printing, signage, display, apparel, and packaging industries. Summa’s global headquarters is in Gistel, Belgium and has divisions in Boston (MA), USA and Nottingham, UK. Valiani, which became part of the Summa group in June 2022, is based in Certaldo in Italy. For more information about Summa and Valiani, visit www.summa.com or www.valiani.com.