Textile Finishing Equipment for Signs

SOFT SIGNAGE IS ONE of the fastest growing segments of the sign industry. Banners, flags, awnings and exhibit displays are just a few of the applications for soft signage. A plethora of digital printers are available from many manufacturers, and several low-end up to industrial-speed demons on the market can fit most pocket books. It’s a great time to jump on the bandwagon. Before you make that leap, be aware that you will probably need additional tools to deliver finished product. So let’s cover some of the necessary equipment if you want to pursue the soft signage market.

If you have started looking for a textile printer, then you may have already encountered one of the first decisions to make. Do you want to print directly onto the fabric or to transfer paper? Both technologies have their pros and cons, and some machines, like Mimaki’s TS330-3200DS, can handle both. If you choose the transfer paper method then you will need a means of transferring the printed image onto the fabric. The process is much like using a manual heat press to transfer a graphic onto a T-shirt. The biggest difference is the need for something that can handle a much wider print and rolls of fabric. The solution is to use a calendar, though not the wall variety. This kind of calendar looks similar to a laminator and uses heat and pressure to transfer the print onto the fabric. These are available in light to industrial grades and your anticipated volume will dictate how much you want to spend.

Once we have a roll of finished fabric, how does it need to be cut? If you’re working with small volumes and rectangular shapes, you may be able to get away with sheers and/or rotary knives. If you are working in anything but very small quantities then you really need a finishing cutter. If you already have a digital finishing machine, you may be able to buy just a fabric-specific tool. You may want to have a roll-feed system and conveyor if you are dealing with large-volume work. If you are starting from scratch you may need to get a finisher that employs a laser as the cutting tool. Laser cutters seal the edges and eliminate edge fraying, thus producing a superior cut. In some cases you can get a machine that will double as a digital-
finishing machine for rigid prints.

Now you have your pieces cut. Maybe you are finished but in most cases, the piece will need to be hemmed and possibly pocketed. If you are working on any non-sign product, such as cushions or awnings, then things get even more complex. To finish soft signage you need to get an industrial-level sewing machine. Here is where you really need to look at what you want to sell. If the pieces just need hemming then a machine with only minimum features is required. The weight of the fabrics (for example, cotton or canvas) will dictate how powerful the machine needs to be. If you are working with large volumes, computerized machines can make tasks such as hemming or adding Keder pockets a whole lot faster and easier.

So as you can see, getting into the soft signage business takes more than just the printer. Make sure you have included floor space into the equation, as some of this equipment can have a large footprint. Just don’t skimp on the finishing side. A great print can be ruined in the finishing phase.

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