Article: Specialist Printing Magazine - November 2024
David Sweetnam at keypoint Intelligence explains how multiple printheads allow for a wider range of direct-to-fabric printing colours, including neon.
When the DTF revolution began we saw printers pouring out of China all utilizing CMYKW ink printings and the same dual Epson printhead configuration. This meant differentiation from one supplier to another was largely down to the printer skillset.
Within a year the DTF evolution saw vendors launching systems three/four printheads. Most promoted this purely as a speed enhancement benefit. However the extra printheads also opened up a new opportunity to go beyond CMYK and W printing, with vendors able to dedicate an entire head or certain channels to new ink colours. Some added light magenta or cyan to improve halftone fill quality. However, most went down the route of expanding the colour space with standard spot colours, and some went even further and introduced neon inks.
How do neon inks allow you to differentiate your apparel from a CMYK-only shop?
There is the obvious difference of course, a glow in the dark garment created using neon inks will make you stand out in a nightclub or other destination where black light (UV light) is being used. To those of us who regard nightclubs are a distant blurry memory from younger years this lure might not result in an impulsive credit card purchase. However, neon inks do not just cater to the nightlife crowd, with the vibrant pink, orange, yellows, blues and green colours making designs stand out in daylight and generate that wow factor everyone can appreciate.