The Practical Printer

The STS XPD-924D is the Best DTF Textile End-to-End System in the World Today. I spoke at length with STS Founder Shahar Turgeman about his outstanding product, and here is a good excerpt from our chat.

Their 24-inch Direct-to-Film printer designed for consistent performance in production settings, and the entire workflow and all the components in it are best-in-class. It features staggered dual AccuFine HD printheads that support print speeds of up to 188 square feet per hour and resolutions up to 1200 x 1200 dpi, producing transfers with smooth gradations and fine detail. The outstanding neoStampa software they use is a big reason why they can achieve this; now all software is equal. The printer's continuous white ink circulation system and heavy-duty aluminum rail assembly contribute to reliable operation and print stability, while automated maintenance functions and adjustable printhead height settings simplify daily use. Compatible with STS XPD-series inks, the printer suits professional (key word, professional) garment and textile workflows requiring steady output and excellent quality and reliability.

See them yourself at ISA Sign Expo in Orlando 2026 Booth 623. I'll be there on Thursday doing some interviews with Shahar and his team.

Calvin Tuttle and I chat about ONYX Align. Align is the cloud-based print shop management powerhouse from Onyx Graphics, built exclusively for wide-format and sign printers who need to know the true cost and get an accurate quote out quickly. This browser-based MIS centralizes your entire operation—from instant, predictive quoting and accurate cost estimation to customizable job boards, real-time production calendars, and seamless job tracking straight through to delivery—while integrating directly with ONYX Thrive RIP (and staying RIP-agnostic for ultimate flexibility).

Whether you're quoting a rush banner on your phone or monitoring shop floor progress from anywhere, ONYX Align eliminates guesswork, slashes errors, and connects effortlessly with QuickBooks so you can focus on what matters: delivering profitable jobs on time and scaling your business without the chaos. The true cost, then a fast quote; the perfect tool for the bust sign shop.

I sat down with Cody Martin from Nekoosa to prepare for the big ISA Sign Expo this week in Orlando. Listen in to hear about Nekoosa’s powerhouse duo for today’s fast-paced signage and graphics pros: Trifecta Pressure-Sensitive Textured Vinyl and NextBond Solvent-Free Adhesive. Trifecta is the ultimate one-media wonder—6 mil semi-rigid matte white vinyl in canvas, sand, or linen textures—that lets you print stunning floor graphics (UL 410 slip-resistant certified), wall murals, countertops, and windows in a single step with no overlaminate required, delivering clean removability for up to a year indoors and 3-year outdoor durability. Trifecta is the universal roll media. Not sure? Trifecta.

We also discuss NextBond’s revolutionary UV-cured, solvent-free adhesive technology—an eco-friendly, cost-effective upgrade over traditional solvent-based options—and you get bonds engineered to last up to 10 years while shrugging off humidity, UV rays, moisture, and chemicals for long-term outdoor and high-traffic applications. Stop by the 1818 booth to see the difference!

Marc Rannow from CutWorx USA joins me to talk shop and to announce their products for the ISA Sign Expo later this week in Orlando. They will be in booth 1311 with their complete portfolio, and will have products dotted around the show floor. Stop by and see them. I will be in their booth at noon on Wednesday for some interviews with the guys.

Cutworx USA has the largest portfolio of finishing equipment for the graphics, signage, packaging, and textiles worlds. If you need to cut it, trim it, or refine it, they have it. Based in Irving, Texas, their crew boasts over 175 years of combined finishing know-how and offers a killer lineup of digital flatbed cutters like the award-winning Apex M series, lightning-fast die cutters, CNC systems, lasers, laminators, foam cutters, foil fusion sleeking machines, and automation wizardry that handles everything from contour-cutting stickers and rigid panels to creasing boxes and heat-pressing sublimation graphics. Cutworx delivers the gear, expert installation, hands-on training, and expert support to bring your jobs to completion.

Josh Cormany and I go back decades. He's a big fish in the digital printing industry. He’s heading up the Dimense project over at Media One. I think the results on the Roland Dimense printers speak for themselves. Wow! Nothing like it. Visit booth 2441 at the ISA Sign Expo April 8-10 to see this remarkable technology in action and have Josh show you what it can do.

The new Roland DIMENSE DA-640 is a groundbreaking large-format dimensional surface printer that allows you to produce full-color prints with true, tactile texture and embossing up to 2 mm high. Instead of relying on heavy ink layering, it uses specialized media, structural ink, and precision heat to create impressive, premium 3D effects. You can use this for high-end applications like interior décor, wallpaper, signage, fine art, and other high-value jobs. Best of all, because the DA-640 is water-based, eco-friendly, and PVC-free, you can deliver on-demand creativity and profitability quickly, all in a single, efficient pass. Media One has set out to become the world-wide experts with this new technology.

Media One is North America’s top full-service provider for large-format digital textile printing. Headquartered in Garden Grove, California. And since 2001, the company has been serving wide-format and textile print shops by offering you a complete ecosystem: printers, proprietary digital fabrics, inks, substrates, finishing equipment, and expert technical support. Media One is your one-stop partner for everything related to digital textile printing: hardware, media, finishing equipment, and expertise.

Full interview here: http://www.youtube.com/
Media One here: https://www.mediaoneusa.com/ #

I am a big fan of Patrick Howell and Howell Studios, and I've finally had a chance to have him on The Practical Printer for an interview. Howell Studios has a remarkable suite of products tailor made for the printing industry in every vertical segment, whether you are a print shop or a manufacturer, they will meaningfully improve the way to market your business. And all seamlessly linked together.

Howell Studios is redefining how the digital printing industry connects with its audience. They don't just create content; they build the technical marketing infrastructure that helps print firms, packaging specialists, and sign shops turn complex capabilities into compelling stories. From immersive video production to high-impact brand strategy, Howell Studios offers the visual and digital tools necessary to stay competitive in an automated landscape.

As the industry pivots toward AI and more sophisticated lead generation, Howell helps businesses prepare their systems for the next generation of rapid growth. Their focus is on the "emotional why" behind every print project, ensuring that your technical precision is matched by a brand narrative that resonates. Stop chasing leads manually and start converting them through scalable, data-driven marketing stacks. Adapt or die.

I'm going to be partnering with Patrick and his team at this upcoming ISA International Sign Expo 2026 in Orlando! Visit the Howell Studios team at Booth 257 from April 8–10 to discuss how Patrick can elevate your digital marketing to another level--and register to win a free year of his services--a 10k value.

https://printing.howellstudios.com/

Full Interview: https://www.youtube.com/

I had Joseph Sciberres from CET onto Print Island a few weeks back and we had a long chat about CET, their philosophy, and their unique approach to building the ideal printer. It was a very insightful interview and I recommend you listen to the full interview here.

https://www.youtube.com//videos

Here is an excerpt from the full interview i had about CET's new Q2-100 flatbed printer, which they launched at Printing United, and I have to say—I think it's a little gem. It's a true 24×36-inch flatbed, compact and priced around $40,000, which makes it an accessible entry point for a lot of shops. What really stands out to me is the impressive 8-inch head height; very few machines in this class can handle substrates up to eight inches thick, so the versatility for promotional products, signage, custom direct-to-object work, and layered pieces is excellent. It uses Ricoh GH2220 (Gen 6) print heads, which I’ve always liked—they’re proven, reliable, durable, and deliver beautiful gradients with that fine 2.5-picoliter droplet size for really high-quality output. I’ve seen plenty of Ricoh Gen 5 machines, but these Gen 6 heads feel like a nice step up in consistency and detail.

The Q2-100 feels like CET took all the best parts from their higher-end flatbeds—the Dynasty series down through the Q6—and shrunk them into a smaller footprint without losing the ease of use, upgradability, or robustness I value in their bigger machines. It even offers the same optional rotary attachment I like for cylindrical items, plus an optional camera system that automatically locates material on the bed. That’s huge for shops that don’t want to rely on a ton of custom jigs; just place the piece and let the camera find it.

They’ve bundled the machine with Flexi software (Onyx is also an option), and I’m glad they did—Flexi handles textured printing and ADA/Braille signage really well, which is perfect for this size bed. Layered Braille signs, raised textures, and custom signage are exactly the kind of high-value work this printer seems built for. Overall, I see the Q2-100 striking a strong balance of price, print quality, speed, and reliability. For anyone looking for a versatile, no-nonsense flatbed without jumping into a much larger (and more expensive) industrial machine, this one checks a lot of boxes for me.

William Davis Jennifer Dupriest Alex Martins Darci Jeffrey-Andersen Greg Wise PRINTING United Expo

For those who know, Tajima manufacturers the finest embroidery machines in the world, and Hirsch Solutions stands as the nation's premier provider of high-quality apparel decoration equipment, proudly serving as the exclusive U.S. distributor for Tajima embroidery machines since 1968. With Tajima's 80+ years of proven excellence, Hirsch delivers world-class reliability, precision, and efficiency to help businesses start, scale, or diversify in the competitive embroidery market. Backed by unmatched nationwide service, expert installation, hands-on training, and innovative financing options, Hirsch positions itself as a true partner in long-term success—offering everything from compact single-head models to high-volume multi-head systems. I had a detailed chat with Ed Levy at Printing United 2025 about his complete Tajima product line.

Their Tajima embroidery lineup covers every need: single-head machines (like the compact SAI for startups and the advanced TMEZ with revolutionary i-TM automatic thread tensioning for flawless results at speeds up to 1,000 SPM); multi-head production beasts (TFMX series with slim cylinders and wide 500mm intervals for bulky items like jackets and blankets); plus specialty lines including chenille, heater wire, perforation (PAX for leather and multi-function work), and add-ons like Coloreel for unlimited on-demand colors. This robust portfolio, combined with Pulse software and full consumables support, empowers decorators to tackle any job with confidence and crush production goals.

https://www.hsi.us/

There is a new choice in premium dye sublimation transfer paper: Nekoosa. Nekoosa's new Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper is a versatile option for high-quality image transfers on both hard and soft surfaces, emphasizing vibrant colors and sharp details. Available in 105 gsm for lighter, faster applications and 140 gsm for more durable needs, it's fully recyclable and manufactured in the USA, aligning with eco-conscious printing practices. This paper supports a variety of professional uses, from custom apparel to promotional products, delivering consistent performance without compromising on image stability or transfer efficiency.

Designed for compatibility with major dye sublimation printers using water-based inks, it comes in practical roll sizes like 24"x393' or 74"x262' to suit different project scales. Launched to address the expanding sublimation market, Nekoosa's paper offers a reliable, sustainable choice that maintains excellent color fidelity, making it a solid upgrade for printers seeking quality and environmental responsibility in their workflow.

Nekoosa segment manager, Erika Thomas, explains this excellent new transfer paper at Printing United Expo.

Coldenhove Texcol® is a game-changing, patented pigment transfer paper (weighing in at 115 gsm) from the Dutch innovators at Coldenhove. You print your high-resolution designs onto it using standard textile pigment inks, then transfer them in a fast, waterless roll-to-roll heat-press process onto natural and blended fabrics like cotton, linen, viscose, h**p, silk, wool, or even nylon blends—no messy pre-treatments, steaming, or washing required. The clever multifunctional coating delivers vibrant, razor-sharp colors with deep blacks, excellent light- and wash-fastness, strong resistance to crocking (rubbing off), and up to 25% ink savings for brighter results without sacrificing gamut. It's built for smooth handling on compatible calenders, making it super efficient for fashion, home textiles, custom apparel, and on-demand production—cleaner, greener, and way simpler than traditional methods while keeping that soft fabric hand-feel intact.

This is a discussion I have with Gijsbert Harmsen at Coldenhove about the product. Texcol is the backbone of the Mimaki TRAPIS system, but can but used with any pigment ink printers.

Here is a link to a YouTube video that explains the product in much greater detail:

https://youtu.be/3X3P3jD7DCc?si=f7ytmE8pGK5550b8

Nekoosa is the world-wide leader in carbonless paper. I chat with Director of Commercial Print, Daniel Garrity at Printing United 2026 to explain their portfolio. Nekoosa is the apex choice for creating multi-copy documents without the mess of old-school carbon sheets.

Nekoosa specializes in high-quality carbonless paper that transfers images cleanly across layers, perfect for things like invoices, receipts, order forms, medical records, and contracts. They're known for brands like Nekoosa Coated Products and NCR PAPER*, with a focus on reliability, good looks, easy printing, and even eco-friendly options.

Here's a quick breakdown of their main products:
U20® Carbonless: Great for everyday multi-part forms, emphasizing sustainability and sharp imaging.
NCR PAPER Superior*: A trusted go-to for professional use, delivering consistent results.
Digital Carbonless: Designed for laser printers and copiers—runs smoothly without jams, ideal for custom or short-run jobs. Comes pre-collated in 2- or 3-part sets (like white/canary or white/canary/pink).
Universal Carbonless: Works for both traditional offset printing and modern digital setups, with special coatings for easy form assembly.

These papers come in standard sizes (e.g., 8.5x11 or 8.5x14), various colors and part counts, and even perforated options. The tech uses tiny capsules that activate under pressure for smudge-free copies, making it a staple in retail, auto shops, healthcare, and finance. If you're streamlining your business ops or printing needs, Nekoosa's lineup could save time and hassle. What do you use for your forms?