ImagesMagUK_Digital-Edition_Dec17

PRE-PRESS & POST-PRESS EQUIPMENT www.images-magazine.com 52 images DECEMBER 2017 Telling it like it is: folding and baggingmachines TOTShirts: Amscomatic K-950 Automatic Shirt Folder and AB-9000 Automatic Sealing Machine, from Dave Roper Images talks to two big players in the decoration business to find out how their folding and bagging machines are working out for them Monika Iwinska, despatch manager Tell us a bit about your business TOTShirts is one of the UK’s leading garment decorators, using T-shirt printing and garment decoration processes to create the finest results. TOTShirts offers a complete garment solution, including design, origination, decoration, sourcing, processing, application, finishing and packaging ready for delivery. What is the latest packaging and/or folding machine that you’ve bought? A few months ago TOT invested in the M&R Amscomatic K-950 Automatic Shirt Folder with the Long Sleeve attachment and the M&R Amscomatic AB-9000 Automatic Sealing Machine from Dave Roper. We bought it mainly to replace our old machine, which wasn’t working properly anymore because it was so old, but also to allow us to be able to offer new services. The old machine could only pack T-shirts, whereas the new one can pack a variety of garments, such as long sleeves, vests, sweats etc. All three parts together cost about £60,000 plus VAT. What other machines did you look at before buying these? We also looked at a bagger-sealer made by Nedco. Why did you opt for the Amscomatic machines? We picked the K-950 because we trust the supplier [Dave Roper] who has also supplied some of the other machinery that we use in the TOTShirts print shop. The machine’s main advantage is its ability to fold many types of garments. Another advantage is the bagging part, which automatically threads and seals the bags and therefore reduces labour costs. Is there anything you’d like to see in an upgrade or don’t particularly like about it? We noticed that the folding part was a little faster than the bagging part. We are due to receive an upgraded version of the AB-9000 bagger, which will be more compatible with the folder. What’s it like to use? Do you have any tips on how to get the most out of it? It is quite easy to use. To get the most out of it we’ve learned to adjust the settings depending on what type of garments are being packed. For example, we use different settings for women’s T-shirts than the settings we use for men’s long-sleeve T-shirts. What size runs and garments is it used for? It is used for packing all T-shirts, vests, long sleeve shirts and sweats. The best results are on big runs of T-shirts – 500–10,000 pieces. What‘s your advice to others about buying a packaging/ folding machine? The best advice is to find the product that you are interested in, read and understand all its features and specifications, then go to see the machine before purchasing it; fold and bag a variety of garments to see if you are satisfied before making a decision. Also, use a trusted supplier. www.totshirts.co.uk Peter Joyce, TOTShirts MD, with the M&R Amscomatic folding and bagging system