This article is translated from a report issued by the China Dyeing and Printing Association

Part 2: Innovation and Progress of Digital Inkjet Printing Equipment in China

Digital inkjet printing equipment continues to innovate in high speed, high precision, more stable and reliable, intelligent, integrated, energy-saving and environmentally friendly, and the upgrading speed is accelerating. It mainly presents the following characteristics:

1. Constantly Improving Printing Speed

With the continuous improvement of printing accuracy of digital printing machine, the upgrade of control software and boards, and the increasing maturity of multi-printheads control technology, the number of print heads that can be carried by a single digital inkjet printing machine has increased, and large-scale industrial-grade digital inkjet printing machines have become mainstream. Single Pass inkjet printing machine can reach a speed of 60m/min~80m/min, which meets the needs of large printing factories, and is equivalent to the speed of rotary screen printing.

2. The Automation and Intelligence of Inkjet Printing Machine Are Constantly Improving

The application of technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain enables digital printing machine to achieve automated production and intelligent control.

In terms of hardware, digital printing machine is equipped with automatic printhead cleaning system, moisturizing system, constant temperature system, automatic ink circulation system, and automatic guide belt cleaning and maintenance system, making the operation and maintenance of digital inkjet printing equipment easier.

In terms of software, digital inkjet printing equipment is remotely diagnosed and controlled through a cloud platform; and printing equipment has a system integration module that can be connected to manufacturing execution system (MES) and enterprise resource planning management system (ERP), significantly improving the coordination of the production process and helping companies build automated, visual, and intelligent printing workshops.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative design and digital printing continues to deepen, especially in the fields of color separation and pattern design, showing great application potential, and promoting the design innovation of fabric patterns.

3. Integrated Digital Inkjet Printing Equipment and Processes Are Gradually Maturing

EFI Reggiani, MS Printing Solutions, Kornit Digital, EPSON, Hangzhou Honghua Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Xiamen Hanyin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Allprint, etc. have launched textile pigment ink printing equipment that integrates sizing, printing, color fixing and drying, realizing continuous production of fabrics from pretreatment, printing and color fixing, shortening the process flow, improving production efficiency, and promoting the continuous market expansion of the textile pigment ink printing solution.

4. The Color Accuracy and Stability of Inkjet Printer Are Improved

The color management system of digital inkjet printing equipment is constantly improving. It accurately controls the ink landing point through optimization algorithms, and uses color compensation software, MES intelligent production management software, etc. to solve various color difference problems, optimize production processes, and improve printing efficiency and quality. The color configuration of inkjet printing machines can support color channels from basic 4 colors to up to 12 colors. The widening of the color gamut not only improves the color level and vividness, but also allows more color combinations, thereby improving the quality and visual effects of printed patterns. In order to achieve the consistency and stability of digital inkjet printing color, some companies provide color management solutions, such as the color consistency monitoring and correction software and intelligent soft proofing color adjustment software developed by Hangzhou Honghua; the Hanson "RIIN" Beidou version color printing software launched by Shenzhen Hanson Software Co., Ltd., etc. These color management solutions are initially applied in the printing industry and improved the printing quality of digital inkjet printing inks.

5. The Application Field of Digital Printing Continues to Expand

Printing Equipment manufacturers continue to innovate, and have continuously launched new products and technical solutions that meet market demand, which has promoted the continuous expansion of the application field of digital inkjet printing and generated many sub-fields to meet diversified printing needs, such as digital + rotary/flat screen printing machines, double-sided digital printing machines, elliptical + digital cut-piece printing machines, garment printing machines, hot stamping (dusting) machines, lace embroidery positioning printing machines, ribbon printing machines, shoe material printing machines, etc., forming a rich product matrix, and the industrialization and supply capabilities are constantly enhanced.

At present, except for print heads and color management software, the supply chain of digital inkjet printing has basically achieved localization, and has shown strong development potential and innovation capabilities in multiple sub-fields.