SENFA, the Alsace, France-based Technical Substrates division of the Chargeurs Group, will be launching a new fabric for both transfer and direct sublimation printing at FESPA 2017, which takes place in Hamburg, next week. The company hopes that its innovative Sublimis range from SENFA Decoprint will open up new possibilities for print businesses that use dye sublimation technology for backlit graphics applications.

“It is commonly known that for backlit applications, coated fabrics improve the vividness of the colours and create a stunning white point thanks to superb light diffusion. Until now, printers using sublimation technology – either direct-disperse or transfer – have had to settle for second best by printing onto uncoated media for their illuminated displays,” said Blaise Humphries, SENFA-Decoprint Business Unit Manager.

“Previously, sublimation printing on to coated media for backlits led to problems due to a phenomenon known as ink migration whereby, after printing, the ink tended to migrate to areas on the substrate where it shouldn’t – causing disastrous results. With Sublimis, ink migration is a thing of the past and printers using sublimation technology can now aspire to hitting the very best possible white point and delivering the punchy colours that only coated media can provide.”

Sublimis range

SENFA’s flagship product, Decoprint Pearl – for UV-curing and latex technologies – has been installed in thousands of premium retail and advertising sites, the company reports. The Sublimis range aims to build on this success and provide a go-to solution for direct-disperse/transfer sublimation printers.

“Sublimis is not about replacing Decoprint Pearl – it’s been introduced to give more choice to the industry. Even as a coated media, Sublimis remains lighter than many of the uncoated textiles typically used for backlits, meaning it’s cheaper to transport and easier to install. The light diffusion is also excellent thanks to Sublimis’ unique formula and the range has passed all the necessary fire certification standards for indoor applications,” commented Blaise Humphries.

Availability

Sublimis has been developed by SENFA-Decoprint’s in-house research and development team in response to customer demand, the manufacturer explains. The product will initially be launched in two different 3.1m-wide versions: one for direct-disperse printing, and one for dye-sub transfer printing.

The product line will then be expanded to widths of up to 5m thanks to SENFA-Decoprint’s recent investment in a state of the art super-wide coating line at its Alsace headquarters.

“From now on – no matter which printing technology they use in-house – our customers will be able to take advantage of all the benefits offered by SENFA’s unique functionalised fabrics for graphics applications. All our products are made in France and meet the very highest standards; we look forward to further developing our presence across Europe and further afield,” concluded Blaise Humphries/

SENFA

The Chargeurs Group is a leading manufacturing and services group with leading positions in four segments: Protective Films, Interlining for garments, and Wool, as well as Technical Textiles.  With more than 1500 employees worldwide, Chargeurs Group is listed on the French Stock Exchange and has operations in 32 countries spanning all five continents.

Based in Alsace, France, SENFA is the technical textiles division of the Chargeurs Group and had an annual turnover of EUR 25m in 2015. From its manufacturing plant in eastern France, SENFA distributes its range of Decoprint solutions which includes a wide range of specially coated fabrics made from synthetic and natural fibres for inkjet and transfer printing.

www.decoprint.eu