Woven Monkey looks for expansion with diversification into Epson dye sublimation technology

Woven Monkey is launching a new service offering its craft customers the ability to produce products on a wide range of polyester-based materials, including silk simulations and stretch fabrics.

This new service follows on from an investment by the Ilkeston company in an Epson SureColor SC-F-7200 dye sublimation press which was supplied by reseller RA Smart.

This dye sublimation printer is a 64 inch width machine featuring PrecisionCore technology and TFP heads and run with four UltraChrome DS inks (CMYK) to give vibrant results to textile and home furnishings products.

Woven Monkey’s managing director Ed Morton said: “Magnus Mighall of RA Smart has helped and advised us from the company’s inception in 2013 and he has been instrumental in our decision to diversify from pigment-based printing direct on to textiles to the dye sub sector with the Epson machine.

“With this SureColor F series technology we print onto paper and then heat transfer the image and the ink is absorbed into the material. It is much easier to control than direct to textile and there is less risk with issues like shrinkage.

“The FC-7200 gives us a much wider range of textiles to work with and it eliminates any fear of the image fading when washed. Our vision is to expand into stretch fabrics, including clothing and to make use of the wide range of polyester based materials which today are hard to distinguish from natural products like silk, linen or cotton.”

Woven Monkey sells via its website and also promotes its services using social media and blogs. Most of its work is short run, typically under 10sq m.

Mr Morton added: “The key to our success is quality and the fact that Epson not only supplies the printer but also manufactures the printheads, ink and dye sub paper enhances the control and the confidence we have in this equipment.”

With existing customers asking about different textiles and different products, Woven Monkey is confident business will build rapidly in the next 12 months.

Phil McMullin, sales manager for the Professional Print Solutions at Epson UK, said: “Many printers are waking up to the huge scope of the SureColor F series fabric printers because of their quality and versatility. We are pleased that RA Smart has introduced Woven Monkey to our equipment and added value to this expanding business.”