Spoiler: quite hard. Especially when it is a Durst P5 TEX iSUB. Our latest addition is not only our third 5-meter sublimation printer, but also the first in which printer and calender form one fully integrated system. That means faster production, more consistent quality and lower energy consumption. But before it prints a single metre of fabric, a lot has to happen first.
Step 1. Construction first, print later
This printer does not do half measures and neither do we. The P5 TEX iSUB requires specific climate conditions, with separate cooling and stable temperature control. That is why we had a completely new, enclosed space built inside our production hall. Think industrial air conditioning, controlled airflow and special lighting. This lighting simulates daylight, allowing us to clearly assess colour accuracy while printing. Only when the environment is right does the printer move in.
Step 2. Installation and fine-tuning
The installation itself is a precision job. In about a week, all components are installed, aligned and connected. The print unit, integrated calender, ink supply and software.
We check fabric tension, running speed, calender temperature and ink laydown. Everything is fine-tuned step by step so the printer runs stably, even at high speeds of up to 160 m² per hour.
Step 3. Testing, testing, and more testing
After installation, one to two weeks follow in which we run all our materials through the printer. We measure factors such as shrinkage and drying time, and make sure our production software is adjusted correctly. These are often small tweaks, but they are crucial for reliable quality.
Step 4. Colour is no coincidence
Finally, we create a colour profile per material according to the FOGRA system. This means working with fixed colour profiles, measurement reports and repeatable results. This is not a one-off action. Even after the machine is up and running, we continue to check and calibrate regularly. For our customers, this ensures that a red today, next month and next year remains the same red. Even at five metres wide.
Investing in what comes next
All of this represents a significant investment in time, technology and people. But it fits who we are. We were not the first in Europe to install a 5-meter sublimation printer by accident. With this new generation, we continue on that path. Faster, more efficient, and with even greater control over quality and sustainability.
In short, installing a printer at Van Straaten is not a matter of plugging it in and getting started. It is a carefully managed process, because reliability begins long before the first print comes off the machine.
Early March, we will start using the Durst P5 TEX iSUB for customer production. With that, we are ready for the next step in large-format textile printing.
