GMS Printing is a concern of GMS Composite Knitting Ind. Ltd started its journey in 2000 with all the modern facilities. The latest printing technology, digitalization is the foremost efforts to upgrade the printing section in the GMS. Along with a world-class design studio, the group aims to increase its order volume. Textile Today team had a visit to see the digitalization progress and to get updated in the printing industry.
Placement digital printing
Bangladesh has longtime expertise in placement print but this is altogether done manually by screen printing. But screen printing is not all-time accurate and has many limitations to do a variety of print quality. So, as part of digitalization GMS printing introduced ‘Aeoon’ placement digital printing machine with 400 pcs/h capacity.
This is the fastest, most durable and easiest industrial Direct to Garment printers in the world. That is the reason why world-renowned Brand Bestseller (Denmark), Pimkie (France), M&S (UK), Esprit (Germany), Champion, Diadora, Diesel & Kappa (Italy) are buying garments from GMS Printing.
Md. Ashraful Alam, General Manager, GMS Printing said Textile Today, “Our honorable customers know about the innovation of GMS and up gradation of technology that can easily adapt global trends. In this regard, the digital printing machine helps us to grab those orders that usually we refused once because of unavailable technical facilities.”
Digital Light Exposing (DLE) machine
Manual exposing and preparing screen is the most laborious and time-consuming as well as it is an additional expenditure. Conventionally to expose on-screen, require a positive film to solidify the artwork area by ultraviolet (UV) light. But if the setup of artwork, emulsion and light source does not work correctly or glass of the exposure unit is not clean and artwork positive is not aligned properly then the entire process will go in vain.
Only Digital Light Exposing (DLE) machine can do this without any defect in a short period of time. GMS printing in-housed this valuable machine as part of its digitalization plan. DLE screen imaging system images and exposes the screen directly from the computer to screen. The new and efficient scrolling and Digital Light Processing technology sets new standards at the GMS printing unit.
Automated AOP printed machine
Digital AOP is another initiative and pioneering step for the group in the way to digitalization. Many printing factories in Bangladesh installed new digital printing machine but they are not able to get adequate benefits from the set up because of improper study on machine performance. But GMS printing had enough study and investigation before buying any new machine so that the investment does not go futile.
They attend global machinery exhibitions and take suggestions from experts then purchase a machine.
GMS has two Digital AOP machines one established in 2016 and the other has been just set up a couple of months ago. Automated AOP printed machine, DURST Alpha-330 series and sublimation define a new generation of Digital AOP printing systems, creating a new performance class through the integration of new technologies in the print heads, inks, drying units, and in the interaction with the software. This is a new generation of super multi-pass inkjet printers for the digital production of home textiles and fashion. The Alpha series offers print widths of 190 & 330 cm and can be configured with up to 8 colors.
Md. Ashraful Alam, said, “Our careful investment and purchasing machine with relevant study help us to select the right machine for the right production. We visit and attend international seminars to understand new technologies and their outcome.”
Photo coating chemical, exposing AOP
For allover screen expose GMS introduced Luscher Blue Diod which is one of the best machines in the world that uses long-lasting, state-of-the-art laser diodes to cut off the time to produce high-quality rotary screens with a maximum length of 3500 mm. The laser diodes allow tremendous time savings since they expose screens at a higher resolution and up to their times faster than with today’s inkjet liquid wax technologies. Luscher Blue Diod’s overall screen making process is cheaper and more efficient.
“Exposing AOP is hugely costly and time-consuming if we take outside support but the in-housed facilities make things easy to develop new design and print for the customer. Because each season buyer needs new design and print on the fabric so that they can select the correct print and place order,” said Head of Unit Exposing AOP.
Training on digital printing
Many companies invest in digital transformation and capabilities believing that they are going to receive responses from the new customer realities in a digital economy. But without adequate knowledge and experience, no company is not able to pick up benefits from the latest and digital technologies. So before setting up the digital machine it needs to build strong expertise in digital technologies. Otherwise, the company may feel downcast when the returns are not quite as well as expected.
In this regard, GMS provides training for its employee those are working in digital technology. Because in the digital printing ‘Profiling’ is the most important matter to get accurate color and design. The color profile describes the colors that relative to a standardized set of reference colors. Color-managed software standardized profiles translate color from one device to another. This is usually performed by a color management module (CMM).
GMS arranges training program for the technical people who are working in digital printing regularly. To train the technical people in digital printing sometimes some foreign experts (Supplier base) come to GMS and give them necessary training. The company also arranges foreign trips to attend international seminars.
Digital lab for accuracy in the bulk
GMS printing established a digital printing lab to ensure quality as well as to keep the relevant data for the future record. The lab performs batch to batch lab tests and provide the result to the concern if any quality fault has been made.
“We do each batch test to ensure the quality and make sure that the correct product has been delivered,” said the Lab Manager at GMS printing.
Quality and accuracy are the first priority in the GMS digital printing. Furthermore, fast service, understanding and a positive mindset about new technology and process adoption are the key focus area for them. Because they know there is no other technology that combines brilliant colors, wonderful designs, and production on-demand with low resource utilization other than digital printing.
