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PRINT QUALITY
Print quality is the essential ingredient in every digital textile printer, and most people assume—incorrectly—that print quality begins and ends at the printhead. While high-quality printheads are essential, the supporting hardware and software is what makes the difference between mediocre prints and great prints. And this is where i-Dot excels.
Included Computer & Monitor
Although most Direct-to-Garment printers are sold without a computer, that’s not the case with i-Dot. Since trouble-free computer operation is essential to successful direct-to-garment printing, M&R decided to make a computer part of the i-Dot package. Since each computer comes with all the software necessary to operate the i-Dot, users don’t have to load or configure system software, much less resolve hardware or software conflicts. The inclusion of a PC also enables M&R to extensively test each i-Dot system prior to shipment. There’s no question that a complete pre-configured system is the surest way to seamless printer operation. The bottom line is that M&R doesn’t
take shortcuts when it comes to customer satisfaction.
i-Color RIP™ Software
M&R's proprietary i-Color RIP software quickly converts data files into printed images with maximum sharpness, superior shading & gradations, and exceptional color accuracy—all while minimizing print time. i-Color features four standard RIP modes (White, Black, Color, and Economy-Color), and recognizes nine raster-based file formats, including Photoshop files with channels. To further optimize print quality, Black Color Mode (BCM) and Economy Color Mode (ECM) calculate the black areas in each image. On black garments, BCM prevents the printer from laying down white underbase and black ink on black image areas. On colored garments, ECM prevents the printer from laying down white underbase where black will be printed. This saves ink and increases print speed, but the main benefit is images far superior to other direct-to-digital methods—and printed garments that are softer, more breathable, and much closer to water-based screen-printing.
Transport Encoders & Hardware
Although inkjet print engines have built-in encoders and transport motors, they’re designed for moving one sheet of paper at a time. And no provision is made for the precise repositioning necessary for double-printed designs on dark shirts. When used to drive the relatively heavy weight of a pallet and shirt, these encoders have difficulty maintaining pinpoint accuracy.
Despite those serious issues, most manufacturers continue to rely on this cheap but inadequate technology. Not M&R. Instead of relying on the print engine’s built-in low-resolution encoder, we developed Absolute Position® Technology.
Absolute Position® Technology
A LOOK INSIDE i-Dot's APT—Here's an inside look at the key components of Absolute Position® Technology: the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is the computer that drives the system, the Servo Amplifier translates the PLC's commands for movement of the pallet and interfaces with the printer, and the Servo Motor moves the pallet on an industrial-grade transport system designed for precision and repeatability.
M&R’s exclusive Absolute Position® Technology (APT) gives i-Dot a level of repeat registration not found in any other digital textile printer. While most printers rely on low-resolution encoders, APT uses M&R's proprietary high-resolution servo encoder. APT’s custom-designed firmware integrates flawlessly with M&R’s i-Color RIP software. Absolute Position Technology also includes a servo amplifier, PLC controller, and an exceptionally accurate servomotor-driven linear actuator.
The combined power of the elements in the APT system working together—rather than its individual parts—enable i-Dot to print multiple layers of ink on dark and colored shirts with unmatched layer-to-layer accuracy. When registration matters, i-Dot’s APT is the technology that professionals rely on. No other digital textile printer even comes close.