Today solvent printing plotters are considered by many to be old machines or even outdated for some applications. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that plotter printing is still a very modern technology, flexible and transversal to different and new markets thanks to the many possible applications. Let’s try to discover and understand the benefits of this digital printer and how to build customer loyalty and increase margins.
The solvent or eco-solvent printing plotter was created for printing on vinyl surfaces (such as adhesive PVC) and on forex panels, to later find its maximum expression in the applications in cast vinyl for decorations on vehicles. The flexibility, the brightness of the colors and the ability to withstand outdoor conditions are its undisputed pros. With the advent of UV inks, however, something begins to change. Forex, aluminum or methacrylate panels become the prerogative of UV printing plotters, taking important market shares away from solvent-based printing plotters. The latter are also starting to lose ground in the printing of 6m x 3m posters or banners, continuing to excel only in the field of vehicle decoration.
And it is exactly this snapshot of reality that makes most people think that the solvent-based printing plotter technology is an old, if not declining system.
But this is not true. On the contrary! Having a solvent or eco-solvent printing plotter means, as a matter of fact, having great opportunities to stand out in the digital customization market, to retain customers and increase profits. But how can we affirm all this?
For two reasons mainly. Because it uses inks with extraordinary performance and because in combination with the appropriate media, such as heatflex films, transfer films or decals, it becomes a printing machine capable of ranging from small to large formats and from fabrics to murals, without any limits.
But let’s proceed in order. Before talking about print media, let’s focus on the main features of solvent and eco-solvent inks that make this technology unique and highly profitable, today more than ever.
Solvent or ecosolvent inks:
- they are available in many colours, from CMYK colors to white, light cyan, light magenta and light black, thus providing a wide reproducible gamut for prints with intense and bright colours;
- they have a rapid drying speed and do not leave residues or surface agents, such as silicones or others, which could affect the transfer process or protection capabilities;
- they always ensure perfect and extremely elastic results on every type of support;
- they are resistant to water, scratches and UV rays;
- they are certified for indoor use;
- they have a low cost.
All the mentioned features give real competitive advantages for the owners of a printing plotter or a print and cut plotter, as they allow them to stand out in different sectors. In fact, alongside the standard applications (printed materials for shop windows and event displays, rollups, stickers and large format banner printing) solvent or eco-solvent printing plotters also allow for unusual applications, if used with specific transfers or print-cut heatflex films.
Digital transfers and heatflex films are nothing more than reels that have a film with a specific coating, usually up to 50 m long, capable of transforming a solvent printing plotter into flexible equipment with multiple applications. That’s right! In some cases, digital transfers or heatflex films can make solvent plotters the basis for manufacturing or industrial production thanks to the possibility offered by transfers and films to be protected and therefore guarantee longevity to the prints.
But let’s take a deeper look at all the possible applications thanks to digital transfers or heatflex films for solvent and eco-solvent plotters.
With a printing or print and cut plotter and the suitable printing media it is possible to range from the customization of fabrics of all types (including cotton, polyester, nylon) to customized workwear with the guarantee of excellent resistance to washing and longevity of the prints, thanks to the use of protective liquid solutions.
Thanks to the print-cut heatflex films that can be used in “mirror-mode” (i.e. without application tape), applications can also be made on light colored fabrics, on large sized natural and coated leathers and on wooden panels. This is possible because the thermoadhesives incorporate the pigment and bind to the fabrics due to the action of heat and pressure of a heat press or calender; this is also thanks to the absence of detaching agents.
And what’s more, with decals for solvent-based plotters it is also possible to get into sectors such as interior furnishing, the restoration of internal and external wall surfaces, the decoration of floors, coverings and street furniture elements. This is because there are patented decals for application on walls, wood, marble and many other porous surfaces.
So, how do you build customer loyalty and increase margins?
With the proposal of new services.
Let’s take an example
Let’s assume that your core business is public vehicle decoration. In this case you will come into contact with the customer only occasionally, in case of restyling of the graphics or for other particular needs. So, after having taken care of the decoration of his vehicle you will most likely see your customer again only after several months. You are not making the most of the potential of your print and cut plotter since in reality you could offer the same customer many other services, including for example personalized uniforms for the drivers (one for each season). And you could thus retain them and continue to serve and invoice regularly.
Therefore, if it is true that with the eco-solvent printing plotter and print and cut plotter you can print various communication supports, it is also true that, nowadays, being competitive in this sector has become very difficult. But this absolutely shouldn’t discourage you, because your plotter is your secret weapon that will allow you to expand your target market and keep your customers.
It is therefore sufficient to have a solvent plotter in good condition, high-performance inks (if accompanied by certifications, even better!) and specific and reliable thermoadhesives and transfers. The latter will offer new application possibilities to your plotter and will allow you to range from the customization of t-shirts and fabrics to the world of furniture, from leather goods to shoe factories, from light construction to interior and exterior furnishings. If you add to this a little imagination and a good ability to involve customers, the game is done!
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