OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for testing the safety of textile materials and chemicals at every stage of production from raw materials to end products. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is divided into four classes based on human ecological requirements, with class I which ensures that printed textile items are safe for babies and toddlers being the most difficult to achieve. Growing awareness amongst customers has fostered the rise in popularity of the OEKO-TEX® label.
“We are very pleased that the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center has awarded our dye sublimation printing technology the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, product class I,” Yuko Maeda, division president of digital printing, market development for Roland DG said, “We developed Texart ink and the RT-640 for a wide range of textile decoration applications, including sports and fashion apparel, curtains and other interior décor as well as promotional goods and personalized gifts. The OEKO-TEX® certification provides not only an endorsement for our efforts to pursue environmentally-safe digital printing, but provides an important decision-making tool for our customers to better meet the needs of end users.”
Roland DG launched Texart ink and the RT-640 in October, 2014. Maeda said the RT-640 incorporates a host of technological advancements that optimize sublimation transfer output while minimizing running costs. “One of the RT-640’s major innovations is our new ink which is available in both four (CMYK) and eight color versions (CMYK plus Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Orange and Violet). Previously, colors printed on sublimated fabrics could look faded with dull blacks, missing grays and fuzzy details. The RT-640’s variable droplet technology in combination with Texart ink displays bold, vibrant colors and rich velvety blacks, as well as subtle gradations and fine details.”
European Sign Federation