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Epson has a strong foundation in manufacturing and lives by the Japanese business philosophy of Kaizen, which means ‘continuous improvement’. To learn more about Epson’s continuously improving print technology in the garment decoration market, P&P editor Melanie Attlesey spoke to Phil McMullin, head of sales commercial and industrial at Epson UK, to find out more.
A decade ago, Epson’s primary focus was manufacturing printers for the photography market. Epson’s printers were also used as a method of proofing by companies producing brochures on a large-scale capacity because the print quality was that consistent all thanks to Epson’s piezo print heads.
Recognising the exemplary qualities of the piezo print head, the R&D team in Japan set to work to find other uses for it. They quickly discovered that almost any ink type can be put through the print heads and they will perform at the same level as the water-based ink used for photo printing and proofing.
Expanding product line up
“Suddenly in the space of about 18 months our product line up expanded dramatically. We moved into signage, label printing and textiles,” explains Phil.
In 2013 Epson transitioned into the dye sublimation transfer market with the SureColor F-Series of printers and garment T shirt printing with the launch of the SC-F2000.
“We didn’t invent dye sublimation, but thought how can we take our ability to consistently produce the best possible print quality with the widest colour gamut, how do we take that from the photography and proofing market and move it into the dye sublimation market? And that’s when we started to have a really big impact globally and our number of sales expanded dramatically,” explains Phil.
By seeing where Kaizen could be applied, it comes as little surprise to learn that 11 years on Epson is on the third generation of the SC-F2000 – the SC-F2200, a hybrid DTG/ DTF printer. Launched in January, the SC-F2200 was designed specifically for start-up companies or medium-volume businesses. It uses Epson’s advanced PrecisionCore Micro TFP print head technology to provide faster printing and data processing speeds, resulting in a productivity increase of up to 25% over its predecessor the SC-F2100. It also features a brand-new chassis.
Also in the garment decoration market, at the beginning of 2024 Epson launched the SC-F1000. This is Epson’s first entry-level direct to garment printer, an area which resellers said Epson’s presence was missing. With its highly compact design and dual direct to garment and direct to film capabilities, this printer is ideal for hobbyists and those looking to get started in garment printing. Not only this, but the printer occupies a unique position in the market with its ability to print on both black and white T shirts.
“Just like everybody else, when DTF printing came along, we weren’t sure it was going to work. Dust, white powder in print heads – it ain’t going to work!” exclaims Phil. “The print head is the most expensive part of the machine and should last the lifetime of the machine. If you put dust in it and don’t clean it, you’ll be facing a huge bill for new print heads.”
After keeping a watchful eye on the growth of DTF, Epson first entered the market around two years ago when it converted the SC-F2100 DTG printer into dual function. “When DTF first came about it did massively affect DTG sales, no question about it,” says Phil. “We started to see a pickup in DTG/ DTF hybrid machines around 12 months ago in Germany first, and then around six months ago in the UK. We are now back to pre-DTF DTG sales, I would say,” he adds.
Piezo print heads
With all this talk about piezo prints heads, what exactly is one and what makes them so unique? All of Epson’s printers use Micro Piezo technology. The print heads utilise piezo crystals that pulse when electrical signals are sent to them by the printer. Incredibly consistent droplets, both in shape and size, are produced to deliver clear and sharp prints. Other alternative print heads on the market use a heating element to boil the ink, creating an air bubble which ejects the ink through a nozzle, resulting in prints which can be less accurate. No heat on the Epson piezo print head means less stress on the print head and consistent print quality for the life of the print head. Is it any wonder that other manufacturers opt to use Epson piezo print heads whenever possible?
A pledge to the environment
The concept of Kaizen doesn’t just stop at the printers that Epson manufactures. This philosophy is carried right through to everything from ink cartridges, to packaging, to the buildings that Epson staff work from.
82 years ago, when Epson was founded near to the shore of Lake Suwa in Japan, the company’s founder pledged to never pollute the lake. And it’s this pledge that means Epson is continuously looking at ways to improve the company’s and customers’ impact on the environment – no matter how small the changes.
As such, in August Epson is moving from its current home in Hemel Hempstead to a purpose-built premises in Watford called Clarendon Works. This new Grade A sustainable building will utilise 100% renewable energy, single use plastics will be banned, the company’s carbon footprint and energy consumption reduced and many other environmental benefits will be instilled. Epson published its Environmental Vision 2050 statement in 2008 and over the years has adapted its goals in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This vision sets out Epson’s strong commitment to addressing major societal issues such as decarbonisation and resource recycling. As part of this commitment, Epson made the global switch to 100% renewable energy in December 2023.
“We have been conscious of our environmental impact for the last 20 years and actively minimising this, we just haven’t shouted about it,” says Phil.
Huge growth opportunities
With an estimated 90% of the textile market yet to go digital, the head office in Japan has identified this as a huge growth opportunity and Epson will be there at every step of the way to help PSPs enter or grow in this market. “Understanding that personalisation and adding your own mark to a standard product enables the PSP to charge more for that product is key. This market is not going to go away, it is only going to grow. And our mission at Epson is to make life as easy as possible for the operator so they can spend more time making their customers happy and upselling to their customers to become more profitable,” says Phil.
Take the commercial printer as an example. A customer walks through the door and wants 200 brochures. What other print opportunities exist for this customer? What else could the PSP sell them with branding on it?
“Can you sell them a T shirt, a mug? Because if you’re not, somebody else will. And they will then offer to print those 200 brochures as well. Selling more to an existing customer is about 10 times easier than selling to new customers,” adds Phil.
He continues: “We believe this market is here to stay and will continue to grow. We will continue to design, build and supply products that will make it easier for our customers to succeed in the personalisation market.”
With the introduction of various new products in the garment decoration and textile printing sector this year alone, it is clear that Epson has belief in the longevity of this market.
