World's largest sublimation printer now in production at Van Straate..


7 March 2016

High-Quality sublimation printing on 5 m wide fabrics now possible

Van Straaten is proud to announce that it is now the owner of the latest breakthrough in sublimation printing - the Durst Rhotex 500. Durst developed this sublimation printer, capable of 5 m wide textiles, in close consultation with Van Straaten. Up until now, these type of sublimation
printers have been able to handle a maximum width of 3.2 m. This breakthrough makes it possible to sublimation print large spreads in one run without the need for joins, producing a truly stunning result. Sublimation printing on this scale is also eco-friendlier.

rhotex 500 van straaten printerVan Straaten and Durst have been working together very closely for several months to develop the world's largest sublimation printer. The partnership came about as a result of Van Straaten's goal to sublimation print larger format soft fabrics. The printer will
be presented at the FESPA Digital 2016 trade show being held at the RAI Amsterdam from 08 to 11 March. A second printer was recently installed and tested at Van Straaten's 6,500-m^2 production facility at Schiphol Airport.

High Quality & Green

Heat-sensitive inks bond directly with the textile's surface during the sublimation process, penetrating the material's structure. The quality of sublimation prints are excellent, because dot patterns aren't visible. Other major advantages are that prints do not fade or damage easily, and are
totally odourless. These are just a few of the reasons why sublimation printing is gaining in such popularity. However, until recently, one of the limiting factors of sublimation printing was a maximum width restriction of 3.2 m. This whilst the market demands larger soft fabrics.

In addition to the ability to use sublimation print for larger sized soft fabrics, sustainability is a major value add. The fabrics that Van Straaten has introduced for this sublimation printer are REACH certified and contain no heavy metals or PVC. The inks used are also water based.
Sublimated textiles can also be folded. This means that they can be packaged, stored and transported more efficiently, resulting in leaner logistics processes for the customers of Van Straaten.

New World Standard

Van Straaten is a family-run business that has been a pioneer in innovative visual branding printing techniques for ninety-eight years now. It believes that it will be setting a new standard in printing with the arrival of this new printer. Niels van Straaten (Managing Director) explains, `The
progression to 5 m wide sublimation printing is a logical one. There's ever growing demand for 'bigger and better' and visual media are no exception in this respect. This new sublimation printer also gels nicely with our policies on sustainability. We're currently the first company to offer 5
m sublimation printing, but it will soon become the norm.'

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About Van Straaten
Van Straaten is a specialist in the field of innovative visual communication. The company's mission is to enhance people's experience, both in the professional and in the personal realm. To this end, the company offers customers an end-to-end solution of the highest possible quality. These
end-to-end solutions consist of concept development and realisation with high quality prints and frames, expert finishing and on-site assembly. Customers use our solutions for retail, museums, stand construction, events and outdoor advertising. The family-owned company was founded in 1918 and
since that time has always been leading in the development and use of new techniques. For more information, visit: http://www.vanstraaten.com/.