Leading computerized knitting machine manufacturer SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its European subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI EUROPE, LTD. and sales distributor FENIX DIGITAL GROUP SRL, will participate in the FESPA 2017 exhibition in Hamburg, Germany this May. On display will be the company's newest offering in digital textile printing.

SIP-160F3 is SHIMA SEIKI's latest flatbed inkjet printing machine, capable of beautiful full color printing on a variety of fabrics. Reactive dyes, acid dyes and pigment inks can be used to support different types of print applications. White color is now available with pigment ink, allowing printing on fabrics of dark tones. The printing head can be raised or lowered according to thickness of the product, allowing printing on fabrics with 3-dimensional textures, or even directly on finished products. Multidrop inkjet technology, ink circulation and degassing system, and ink thermoregulation provide efficient and stable printing.

Also on display is the latest version of SHIMA SEIKI's SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system, whose color management system provides accurate simulations of the printed piece for checking before printing on SIP-160F3. APEX3 is also at the core of the company's "Total Fashion System" concept that supports all aspects throughout the apparel supply chain, by integrating production from product planning and design to production and even sales promotion. Especially effective is its capability to improve on the planning process with Virtual Sampling. Photo-realistic simulation capability allows Virtual Sampling to minimize the costly time- and resource-consuming sample-making process while enhancing presentation quality. At the retail stage, these Virtual Samples allow shoppers to make a selection without having actual samples on hand, which is especially effective in supporting new trends in retail such as e-commerce. And by taking advantage of on-demand print capability of SIP-160F3, customized production of printed products becomes a reality.

Large format printing on a pair of jeans. Realistic embroidery simulation created on SDS-ONE APEX3 can be printed at a fraction of the time it takes to punch an embroidery piece.

The printing head on SIP160F3 can be raised and lowered up to 50mm. For jeans, this means that printing can be performed beautifully across pockets by compensating for the extra thickness in fabric.

Designs can be printed across the entire T-shirt for great impact and high perceived value.

White pigment ink is used on the initial pass to allow vibrant colors to be printed even on dark tones.