As early as 2011, Jakob Müller introduced the MÜPRINT MDP2, the world's first system for the direct printing of tapes using sublimation inks. The MÜPRINT MDP2 was able to carry out the contactless, direct printing of up to 16 polyester tapes with a total width of 400 mm and, using an integrated thermofixing process, manufacture a product suitable for immediate sale, fulfilling demands in abrasion resistance and colour fastness, as well as textile standards (OEKO-TEX®).
As opposed to transfer and screen printing, thedirect printing of textile tapes using digital ink jettechnology offers a wealth of advantages:
- Quick and inexpensive ad-hoc production of printed tape patterns
- Print-on-demand from digital designs to just-tape in-time production, short reaction period
- Brief changeover times and fast article switches
- Single-process, continuous production with a limited operator requirement
- Contactless, direct printing that is suitable for use with open fabrics or tapes with uneven or alternating thicknesses (chiffon, velvet, knits, hook and loop, zips, nets)
- Excellent wash fastness and abrasion resistance
- Bleed off printing over the tape edge
- Any repeat lengths and endless printing
- Employment of variable data from Excel or text files for personalised / individualised printing or serial numbers
- Photorealistic printing
- No costs for printing forms, storage, cleaning or transfer paper
- High levels of reproducibility without resetting as in screen or flexographic printing
- High ink yield