Wide Format Imaging

Textile printing, the generic name for all woven fabrics and the art of ornamenting such fabrics by printing on designs or patterns in color, is very ancient and an art form that originated in the Far East. Over the past few years it has seen its reemergence due to digital design and printing on fabrics based on clients' customized demands. So it should be fitting that one of the products leading the rebirth of this market should also come from the Far East with Teleios from D-gen.

Available in 102-inch and 74-inch models, the Teleios offers the versatility to output a host of products including outdoor and indoor flags, banners and displays. The printer is now being distributed in the US by CA-based NuSign Supply.

John Willhoite, co-owner of Rainbow Pennant Flags & Graphics (RPM) in Oklahoma City, OK, was one of the first shops in the country to have the 74-inch model in house.

"RPM is a family owned and family operated business. We have been providing flags, banners and pennants for our clients since 1958. Early last year we were looking at moving to a digital workflow for printing our products, so I started to do some extensive research. I first saw the Teleios 74 printer at FESPA 2006 and I was impressed the output samples they showed me. At the time, they didn't have US distribution so I had to wait a little while to get it in our shop," he says.

Once they did, Willhoite was quite pleased with the results. "I purchased my first one direct from the company and then added a second one through NuSign Supply when they picked up the US distributorship. NuSign has been very helpful in getting us set up as well as providing great customer service when we have any questions or need ink or media for the machine."

Willhoite reports that they use the printers on all their jobs. The Teleios 74 has taken us into the digital age of fabric printing. The unit stands out among direct textile printers because it produces high-quality (up to 1440 dpi) graphics without the need for a separate heat setting process. Proprietary technology ensures bright, saturated colors on both sides of the fabric."

Willhoite also likes the unit's feeding system. "The patented synchronized cylinder media feeding system was a key selling point for us. This unique system makes it easy for us to print on any type of fabric used for banners or flags without any curvature or twisting of the item you are printing on," he adds.