SGIA '05 Bursts at the Seams with Direct-to-Garment Digital

For Immediate Release
August 23, 2005
Contact: Kate Achelpohl, SGIA
703.359.1301
kate@sgia.org

Fairfax, Virginia  — Digital direct-to-garment printing will be in the spotlight at SGIA '05, with equipment on display from major innovators including Brother, Kornit (presented by SPSI), Mimaki and SGIA '05 Gold Sponsor US Screen Print and Inkjet Technology (Booth 3731).

"Digital direct-to-garment inkjet technology has definitely gone beyond the 'wow' factor and is becoming a competitive approach to the garment market," says SGIA Vice President of Technical Services Johnny Shell. "Some of the machines now have capacity that matches that of traditional automatic textile presses, and a number have added a digital-on-dark component."

Shell notes that digital direct-to-garment equipment is also attracting new competition for the garment decorator. For example, Internet companies are expressing heavy interest. These Web sites will allow customers to order as many or as few custom prints as they like, and their customers include artists establishing a market as well as consumers looking for a custom short-run item, like a t-shirt for a family reunion.

"A direct-to-garment digital press might require a larger cash outlay initially than a traditional piece of equipment, but it can also bring substantial production-line savings. Regardless of the technology they choose, garment decorators need to understand these machines as well as the markets and competition they create," Shell says.

To stay on top of technology and trends, there's nothing quite as effective as seeing the equipment in person or learning from the people who design and sell it. That's especially true with brand-new technologies like digital direct-to-garment printing. The leaders this burgeoning area will be at SGIA '05 and will help you develop the understanding you need, while you get a feel for the newest direction specialty imaging is taking.

For more information about SGIA '05, visit SGIA.org.

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
"Specialty imaging" comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they'll tap in the future. These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, signs, advertisements, garments, containers, and vehicles. To make the most of your specialty imaging business, take full advantage of the information on SGIA.org, and experience the specialty graphic imaging industry first-hand at SGIA'05.

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