SUBLIMATION
Win-win situation for distributor and producer
TTS and Figarol join forces in
5 m wide sublimation market
By Ton Rombout
Figarol, a production printer based in Tours (France) which provides printing services to resellers rather than
directly to end consumers, joined forces with TTS (Texo Trade Services - a company based in the Netherlands) to
develop an interesting application for wide format print production providers, who are keen on doing more with
products in the 5 m wide sublimation textile market. Figarol has been printing on 5 m wide sublimation textile with
a restructured 5 m wide printer for the past year, but recently acquired the new Durst RhoTex 500 printer at FESPA
2016. Together with media distributor TTS they developed the optimum system and media to produce 5 m wide
direct-to-textile sublimation prints.
Fltr: Floris-Jan van den Heuvel, Frédéric Roux, Emmy Louyot (export sales assistant), Fabrice Godard, in front of Durst RhoTex 500.
T
KBC Festival - Belgium: Sublimation imprint method,
THD 5 m width on 240g fabric. Three times lighter than
canvas, easy to install and store, and more environmentally friendly.
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2016 • September
he benefits of these sublimated
In-house warehousing
textile products far exceed those
TTS also provides in-house warehousing services at
of the flexible products generated
Figarol’s premises in Tours, i.e. stock materials prepared
by UV and solvent printers. They
for direct printing on textiles in consignation. Figarol is
are lighter and better foldable,
printing, finishing in-house and sells these products to
and consequently cheaper to dis-
trade partners in France and abroad. It only pays for stock
tribute, and more environmental friendly. Figarol ope-
taken from the warehouse during a specific month and
rates both in France and abroad as a trade service pro-
TTS restocks the warehouse.
vider for other – reselling - sign production companies.
This results in a leaner distribution model as Figarol can
The above mentioned properties are, therefore, highly
immediately source ordered media from the warehouse,
significant in terms of improved logistics and cheaper
print it and distribute the final products to other parts of
distribution. What is more, the colour quality and colour
France without incurring any delays. Monthly transports
fastness can easily compete.
from TTS in the Netherlands to Tours to replenish the
SUBLIMATION
About Figarol
Figarol, a family owned company founded in 1976, is
based in Saint Pierre de Corps, an industrial village
near Tours on the river Loire. It’s part of the Faire
savings and in-time and even faster deliveries of our
Valoir Group, with an estimated turnover of 7 million
products to the various regions of France.”
euro.
Fabrice Godard, Commercial Director of Figarol, explained
The company specializes in digital wide format
Figarol’s future plans and strategy: “Together with TTS we
printing on rigid and flexible substrates, using many
different devices. Figarol still produces the entire
range of sign products, but has been specialising
developed an extremely fast production and distribution
system, which is much appreciated by our customers.
About TTS
Based in Waddinxveen, the Netherlands, TTS is
Europe’s leading manufacturer and distributor
of dye sublimation transfer papers, calender
in sublimation printing on textile for many years.
When they order sublimated textile products such as flags,
protection paper, printable textiles and textile
This is a growth market for Figarol, not only on 3.2
spinnaker tissue, decoration tissue, decoration tissue with
finishing products for the visual communication,
m wide but now also on 5 m wide media. Figarol’s
stretch or block out media, they know they can rely on
interior design and active wear industries. TTS also
trade customers are ordering more and more subli-
extremely fast service, better quality and more economic
manufactures an extensive range of high quality
mated textiles, because they are lightweight, easy
to fold, high quality and cheaper to distribute. As a
rule the quality of the end product is better because
products than those produced with UV or solvent inks.
The media are pre-shrunk and tested for both by TTS and
transfer papers and polyester films for silk screen
printing. The company headquarters are based in
the Netherlands, with subsidiaries in France and
by us, to ensure they have the optimum properties for
Italy. TTS distributes and operates worldwide in 55
that of media printed on solvent or UV printers. 5
consistent printing in the correct sizes. All substrates are
countries.
m wide sublimated textile is also becoming incre-
certified in accordance with the appropriate standards to
www.texo-trade.com
asingly popular, because this is the size needed
guarantee reliable media. TTS has been an outstanding
for festivals and promotions at shows and in public
partner in this venture.”
of the wider colour gamut and colour density than
spaces such as theatres and concert halls.
Frédéric Roux is convinced that the acquisition of
the new Durst Rhotex 500 and partnership with
TTS fits in extremely well with their strategy. “We
had already been active in the sublimation textile
print business since 2000 and had accrued considerable experience in the 3.2 m wide segment.
The next step is to provide our customers with 5 m
wide solutions. It is also a first in both France and
Europe. We were the first to develop and explore
this market. And our strategy continues to focus on
being at the forefront of permanent innovation.”
www.figarol.com
stock are also cheaper than daily or weekly deliveries of
one-offs transported across relatively large distances.
Win-win situation
Floris-Jan van den Heuvel, Managing Director of TTS,
McDonald’s – Paris Champs Elysées: Sublimation printing technology on diffusing fabric with silicon finishing for
ecological, odour free and easy to change visuals.
explained as follows: “This is obviously a win-win situation
for us - as an international distributor of flexible media
Advantages of 5 m wide sublimation
particularly in the sublimation market - and for Figarol -Extensive range of attractive textiles to print on
as a company providing trade services in printed subli-
and adapt to individual customer requirements;
mation textile products to other sign and wide formation
-
Unrivalled print quality compared to UV or
print providers in France and abroad.”
Frédéric Roux, Managing Director of Figarol, continued:
“We have made major efforts to optimize our ability to
supply trade customers with the best textile products
solvent;
Frédéric Roux, Managing Director Figarol, Floris-Jan
van den Heuvel, Managing Director TTS, and Fabrice
Godard, Commercial Director Figarol in front of textile art
frame.
-
Excellent colour density;
-
High definition quality of printed colours;
-Print quality which is flexible, fire resistant and
created using sublimation techniques. We were already a
has superior acoustic properties;
-
Water repellent properties (sometimes after
market leader for 3.20 m wide flexible products and over
special treatment);
the past few years experimented with 5 m wide subli-
mation, because of the increasing demand in the market.
Using our new Durst Rhotex 500 and Monti Antonio
washed;
calender we are now able to produce 5 m wide sublimated textile products. Our cooperation with distributor
TTS represents a significant add-on in terms of cost
Odour free;
-Hygienic because the visuals can be machine
-Because the product is thin and can be folded, it
Typical example of positioning of ‘augmented reality’
signs, which are used by Figarol for faster and more
exact design and installation purposes.
requires little space during transport;
-Environmentally friendly because of the use of
water based inks;
-And last but not least: rapidly growing market
potential. 2016 • September
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