The PPX protective paper was launched at Fespa Digital 2016 in Amsterdam, to coincide with the launch of the new 5m-wide Durst Rhotex 500 printer, which prints directly on textiles while using direct printable sublimation inks. Both are now available for purchase.

Texo Trade Services director Floris van den Heuvel said: “Because the new Durst Rhotex comes in five metres there is now a demand for this paper five-metres wide as well. We spoke with the people at our mill and managed to produce the paper in five metres and overcome any logistical problems.”

With the PPX, printers can now fix ink on a printed canvas using a traditional calendar. The paper protects a printer from dye going into the machine during the sublimation process. Van den Heuvel said Texo Trade Services heard the news of the Durst Rhotex being released and immediately wanted exclusivity on the protected paper for the machines, which it now holds for the next five years.

“When we heard about Durst, we discussed with the mill the possibilities of making this paper and we met with the people at Durst and agreed on exclusivity because at that point there was no machine. I had to buy two trucks of paper to do it. They cannot make it for less,” van den Heuvel added.

The paper will ship directly to the UK from the Texo Trade Services production premises in Waddinxveen, Holland. It will cost approximately 6p per sqm. Van den Heuvel said that considering Durst expects to sell 10 to 15 printers next year, it will follow that Texo will sell 10 to 15 5m sheets of PPX.

He said: "We already have many customers in 3.2m. Normally when people have a five-metre machine they won’t buy one wall they will buy a few walls but now we will be able to provide just one wall of protective paper."

Texo Trade Services sells textiles in 3m and 5m length for sublimation printing and sublimation transfer. Last month, it launched its new 5m-wide canvasses for large light boxes.