Digital Imaging Services increases capabilities with MTEX 1800 buy

Wide-format printer Digital Imaging Services has invested in an MTEX 1800 direct-to-textile printer to open up new markets.

The Wolverhampton-based company paid £65,000 for the machine, which was installed at its premises earlier this week.

The 1.9m-wide machine uses a water-based inkset and prints at up to 1,400dpi at speeds of up to 65sqm/hr in standard mode and 35sqm/hr in high-quality mode.

Head of production Dave Purcell said: “This investment will add another string to our bow and we hope it will take us to the next level and win us some more work from new customers whose radar we might not have shown up on beforehand. We’re getting more and more enquiries about flags and textile soft signage.”

The business also considered alternatives from Mutoh but found that the MTEX device best suited its needs.

The machine, which is additional to the firm’s plant list, joins a Canon Océ Arizona 480GT, an EFI Vutek QS3220 hybrid UV-cured machine and Epson and HP roll-fed aqueous printers.

In conjunction with designer Craig Oldham, the business recently produced graphics for the D&AD (Design and Art Direction) New Blood awards in East London’s Spitalfields Market, for which it won an award.

“We kitted out four different locations in London over four days using different Mactac products and we entered it into the worldwide Mactac Creative Awards. We ended up winning a silver award and were the only UK entrant to reach the final judging stage,” said Purcell.

Digital Imaging Services has 16 staff and provides full-service projects including logistics, distribution and installation for creative and design agencies and blue chip companies.