Print/Cut Machines

Versacamm Forum Name Change

The popular Versacamm owners forum has changed names. Garmentua.com has changed names to www.myversacamm.com. Myversacamm.com has been a forum for current and prospective Versacamm owners to go for a ton of helpful information.

Here are few things you can expect to see on the site:

  • Versacamm 101 Training class schedule
  • Creative ideas for mixed media applications
  • Marketing ideas
  • Pricing recommendations for any type of solvent digital printing
  • Printing profiles for various types of digital material
  • Current owners ready and willing to share ideas and experiences

If you’re a current Versacamm owner, someone who is considering making the investment or just curious about the technology, I recommend you go to the site and register.  You may be surprised what you learn!

Introducing the Roland Versacamm SPi Series

In early September Roland launched the latest update to the Roland Versacamm’s – the SPi.  Available as a 30″ SP-300i and a 54″ SP-540i, the “i’ series has brought the original Roland Solvent Print/Cut machine in to more modern times. 

Some key improvements from the SPv series:

  • Printing quality has been improved by bringing Roland’s revolutionary Intelligent Pass Controltmto SPi series.
    • Ensures high speed printing with virtually no banding.
  • 50% faster printing in Standard mode.
  • Improved media handling
    • The SPi now accepts rolls up to 66 lbs
    • Additional pinch rollers added to help accomodate the larger rolls.
  • Improved Drive system
    • Belt drive system replaces the previous cable drive system making the accuracy and quality of Print & Cut rival that of the VP series.
  • Ethernet connectivity replaces USB
    • The faster Ethernet connection can work off of any network allowing an entire office or work area to have access to the same machine. 
  • The larger maintenance bay allows for easier access to print heads for cleaning.

Even with all of these improvements, the SPi series is in the same price range as the older SPv.  The SP-300i lists for $12,495 and the SP-540i lists for $17,895.

 

 SPi Printer/CutterRoland Versacamm SP-300i and SP-540i:

Solving Dye-Migration

Dye-Migration is dye from a sublimated fabric bleeding through and dyeing a heat transferred design. Since Polyester is the only fabric that is gets its color from the sublimation process, it’s the only fabric that you’ll see migrate. Dye-Migration should not be confused with opacity. In the world of garment decoration, opacity refers to a heat transfer blocking out the color of the dark garment where as migration is the dye of the fabric coming through and becoming a part of the transfer.

So how do you solve Dye-Migration? Simply by using the right product. Standard heat transfers may not block migration. If you run in to an angry polyester that doesn’t like being transferred on to, you can use the Solutions Sub-Block for a full color printable fabric or Spectra Sub-Stop for single color vinyl cut transfer. Both products are available from Imprintables Warehouse and from me by requesting a sample.

Please see the pictures below for what migration looks like and how much a difference using the correct media makes.  The fabric this material is applied to is one of the popular performance wear garments. 

Heat transfer with Dye-Migration:

migration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same heat transfer using the Solutions Sub-Block:

sub-block

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Side by side comparison:

side by side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The side by side comparison really shows the migration from one transfer to the next.  It is most apparent in the white but the entire design is noticeably faded. 

Dye-migration can be a problem but certainly not one that can’t be avoided or fixed.  Just like choosing the correct transfer for a cotton or nylon, choosing the correct transfer for garments prone to migrate is essential to success as a garment decorator.

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