Mutoh Europe and STS Europe are joining forces to deliver the new STS DTF - a modular direct-to-film system for the creation of custom T-shirts and apparel. In the EMEA, the STS DTF system - which uses a 24in-wide Mutoh printer and is due to be presented at Fespa Global Print Expo - will be offered by STS Europe through selected Mutoh distributors.
The DTF system is compatible with non-treated cotton, silk, polyester, denim, nylon, leather, 50/50 blends, and more. It is said to work equally well on white and dark textiles, offering matte or glossy finish.
“Mutoh Europe are pleased that STS selected our reliable made in Japan core technology for their DTF solution,” said Mitsuo Takatsu, MD of Mutoh Europe. “The STS VJ-628D printer is based on Mutoh’s existing ValueJet 628 eight-channel printer chassis. Mutoh Japan’s R&D team adapted the basic chassis to cover the specific needs of DTF, including but not limited to the capability of jetting white inks.
“We look forward to partner with STS Europe for them to roll out this programme throughout the EMEA business area through selected Mutoh Certified Distributors who have the local presence, the experience with our VJ-628 engine as well as knowledge of the DTG/Textile markets. The total solution including all key components such as inks, TPU adhesive powder, PET film, powder shaker and software will be fully supported and warranted by STS Europe”.
The new system utilizes the STS VJ-628D printer to print onto a single-sided coated PET Film. The STS PET film (available in multiple sizes of sheets and rolls) provides optimal printer roller traction with minimal static allowing for a high-quality printed image without background artifacts. It is manufactured to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of a heat press. The cured film is then used to transfer the printed image onto textiles using a lightweight powder adhesive, applied with the STS Automatic TPU Adhesive Powder Shaker, which distributes the adhesive evenly across the artwork and enables the transfer process. STS Inks also offers hot-melt adhesive powder that is specially formulated to provide excellent bonding and flexibility properties, withstanding up to 40+ washes with maximum coverage and a high-level transfer rate.
As an alternative to the STS Automatic TPU Adhesive Powder shaker – for cutsheet prints or roll to sheet prints, the printed film can be cured in the easy-to-operate STS Transfer Film Curing Oven, which is capable of curing film up to 13” x 19” (58.42 cm x 48.26 cm).
The STS Inks DTF System deploys Flexi/STS 628D Rip software, created exclusively for the STS VJ-628D printer. With Adobe Illustrator layer support, Multi-layer Illustrator or PDF files can be split into multiple jobs which then can be processed as spot colours like white and varnish.