How does it work?
Kornit`s machines were specially designed for digitally printing on light & dark garments. First, the Wetting Solution is applied automatically during the pre-treatment process directly onto the printed area and prepares the surface to accept Kornit`s special textile ink. Following that, the printing process digitally creates a printable surface of white ink on the printing area (only for dark garments) then immediately applies the CMYK inks. The White and CMYK colors are printed wet-on-wet. When printing on light garment no white-ink is applied.
How can we print on light garments other than white, and get good results?
When printing on a different kind of media colors other than white, one must take into consideration the color of the shirt itself. Since the color Kornit uses is based on 4 colors (C.M.Y.K), one must use a method which will help redefine the color that it will be accustomed to, based on the media color chosen. Kornit`s inks allow us to use the colors of the shirts as a background color. In order to achieve the best results, Kornit uses a third party rip software that has the capability to reach it. We first measure a test file that is compatible with our Eye1 densitometer of GretagMacbeth, in order to get linear output results. It is highly recommended to produce ICC profiles for each new media used. In this case we are using a Profile Maker,which enables us to reach great results! Kornit`s basic software comes with built-in ICC profiles that were developed by Kornit`s applications engineers for most common media colors.
How can we print on different types of clothing items such as pants, hats, bags, etc.?
In order to print on different clothing items in special sizes such as sleeves, hats, begs, scarves, pants etc., one must use a custom-made Pallet that will allow printing on different shapes and sizes. The pallet should accustom the media to the printing head and be adjusted according to the size and location of the media. Kornit has a large variety of different pallets that allow printing on different substrates and on different locations on the media. The ability of our printers allows us to develop different pallets according to the market`s needs within our space of implementation.
How can we print on different types of fabrics?
Our special ink allows us to print on any type of fabric that can stand the curing conditions such as: 100% cotton, any cotton polyester blends, Lycra, Viscose, Micro fiber, Linen, leather and syntactic leather, satin, canvas, silk, velvet, PVC etc… Kornit developed progressive printing processes involving two key elements:
The development of special ink that can be implemented on a large variety of applications, designed to achieve high-vibrancy and high-durability results. The ink applied by the printer should be versatile in order to implement a high-quality result on as many materials as possible. The development of the printer`s industrial structure that enables to adjust the printing heads according to the thickness of the media that it prints on, so that the print heads will not touch the media. This feature also allows over-seams printing by simply defining the desired printing height. The maximum thickness available is 2 inches (5cm).
How is it possible to print the white with the CMYK together?
Kornit`s unique solution when printing on dark garments allows printing wet on wet. First, we print the white layer (one or to layers according to the printing mode) followed immediately by the CMYK layer, no curing involved.
How can we print in maximum speed and still get optimum resolution results?
Kornit Storm, Thunder & Paradigm use 4 printing modes: Normal- 363 DPI, Best – 454 DPI Super – 545 DPI Special – 636 DPI. Kornit Breeze uses 600 x 1200 DPI.
Usually there is no need for more than 454DPI for printing on cotton. 636DPI is only for thick and very absorbent substrates.
How do our inks handle washings?
In order to check the wash fastness we had a variety of printing samples (light and dark garments) examined in an official lab. The results were (ISO STD): wash fastness 4 in a scale of 5. Crock fastness: 3-4 in a scale of 5. These results show the same wash ability as plastisol inks.
How much does the ink cost per print?
The cost for print depends on the size and resolution of the prints. When printing on light garments only the CMYK is needed. For an image 8 inch X 8 inch (20cm X 20 cm) the cost per print is 10-12 US cents. When printing on dark garments, one must print a white layer first and then apply the CMYK colors. For the same size image the white ink will cost 30-40 US cents, meaning, the total printing cost will be 40-50 US cents.
How can we print faster to reach higher quantity in production and what is the maximum throughput?
Kornit machines have the capabilities to print in different resolutions.
Higher resolutions will provide us with the best results, but when using a lower resolution we get higher production. This is the logic of digital printing in general. Kornit`s machines carry Spectra print heads that can print in high resolution and in different speeds. In order to get high production with the best resolution possible we can increase the printing speed and preserve the quality of the print.
The throughput is being determined by the resolution and the size of the image, for instance: the throughput of Kornit Storm 931-8 for 8inch X 8 inch image size on light garments with a resolution of 454DPI will be approx 150/hr.
How can we print on different sizes of garments and what is the maximum printing size?
Kornit customizes its pallets according to the market`s /customers` needs. We have different kinds of pallets that we offer with the machine, children pallet, sleeve pallet, grand pallet, hat pallet and the universal pallet that allows you to print on different sizes of garments. The maximum printing size available is 20`` X 28`` (50cm x 70cm) with Kornit Storm 931. The machine arrives with a STD pallet of 16`` x 20`` (40cm X 50cm).
Click here to view our pallets
How can we print different files for short runs in each job and can one use variable data for the print?
The software of the Kornit machine uses queue management exactly as a "home printer" when sending a few jobs for printing. When you need to use variable data (using the same image and changing data or text), using the RIP software, it enables you to load as many files that you need and the machine will print it continuously without stopping between files.
How is the Kornit technology superior to other Direct-to-Garment technologies?
Kornit machines are the only ones that are considered to be industrial machines. Their uniqueness is that they were designed and developed for the garment printing industry unlike most direct to garment machines in the market.
Kornit uses state of the art technologies:
Ultimate print heads for printing on fabrics – Kornit uses Spectra print heads with 256 nozzles of 80 Pico liters volume of drop (as appose to other digital printers which use print heads with 92 nozzles of 30 Pico liters volume of drops). PreT System – Kornit machines are the only machines in the marketplace that offer a pre-treatment system that is integrated into the machine. Using Kornit`s proprietary wetting solution, Kornit offers a complete printing solution that saves the customer time and money. Exclusive Chemistry Solutions – Kornit developed its ink and PreT wetting solution based on many years of professional experience, and created tailor-made CMYK & white inks specifically for the Kornit machines. Moreover, Kornit machines are considered to utilize the lowest ink use per print and the lowest cost per print Motion System – Kornit uses linear motors, which work on magnetic fields for all the movements within the machine (pallets and print heads unit). These kinds of motors are built to work as an industrial unit 24/7 without any maintenance for years, and considered to be the most accurate motors in the industry.
How is D.O.G Printing faster than other Direct-to -Garment technologies?
Since the industrial design of the printers (the print heads, the ink system and the motors) is assembled from industrial equipment, the machine is much faster than other printers in the market.
How can one purchase a Kornit machine?
|