DIGITAL PRINTING / DTF www.images-magazine.com 46 images APRIL 2022 Top Print: R-Jet Pro DTF from TheMagicTouch Mike Barlow, director Tell us a bit about your company. Top Print is a family-run business based and working from Warrington, established in 1984. With a steeped history in print, we are proud suppliers of high-quality printing with a firm belief in innovation; Top Print aims always to deliver the very best solutions in personalised and decorated workwear, uniform, personal and promotional apparel. Supporting local, small businesses to that of big-name brands, Top Print delivers quality products with a prompt customer service that provides excellent value. What DTF machine did you buy? After much deliberation and research within the industry, Top Print saw a need for this specific type of print, and collectively we knew the R-Jet Pro was the right machine for us. The cost was £16,995 installed, which is not a great outlay for what you get in return. Why did you choose this particular printer? The first attraction to the R-Jet Pro, that really got my attention, was ‘no more weeding’. Although, as a company we were already producing nice full-colour transfers, it was very labour intensive. The new DTF process has saved Top Print time and labour costs; it also enables us to produce press or supplyonly transfers, which has allowed us to lower our cost to customers and give them a faster turnaround time – everyone is a winner! What other systems did you look at before purchasing this one? We already have a DTG machine, which we have used for small scale projects for the past eight years. However, I wanted to use this opportunity to see where I could grow the Top Print business for a prosperous future in printing. I looked into upgrading our DTG machine, but also wanted to find a machine which could service all areas of our business. By chance, I happened to speak with Mark Rossi from TheMagicTouch who mentioned a new machine entering the market called DTF. I instantly wanted to find out more, so arranged to see a machine for myself. Straightaway I saw the potential in this machine that would be time saving and a huge benefit to my business. In over 30 years of trading, this must be the best machine I have installed. Is there anything you’d like to see in an upgrade or don’t particularly like about it? This is still new, we are printing on many fabrics with great results. Since having the R-Jet Pro machine installed there have already been changes for the better so, in my opinion, the more of us on board with this process the better it becomes for us all to keep sharing new knowledge on any improvements which will come soon. What’s it like to run? We have spent much time testing and trialling various patterns, colours, effects and designs. In addition to the initial outlay for the machine and installation, this time spent was of equal value to the business as the results were outstanding. My advice would be to get to know your machine; experiment and learn what works, what doesn’t work. Be both bold and creative in your thinking as to what could and can ultimately be achieved. What types of work is it used for? The beauty of the machine is that it can deliver both short and long runs. No longer are we restricted by minimum quantities or time scales. The machine allows us the opportunities to deliver for our clients in ways that through previous processes we just simply could not achieve. It’s also allowed us to set up Toptrancolours, a trade service where other garment decorators can order DTF transfers from us easily and quickly. What would be your advice to others thinking of buying a DTF machine? You’ve heard the saying ‘Just do it’. The potential and possibilities are endless. If you are willing to put the investment of time in addition to the financial investment which Top Print has, the results will follow. www.topprintltd.com www.toptrancolours.co.uk The R-Jet Pro DTF has allowed Top Print to set up the trade service Toptrancolours
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