The Digistar range of water-based inks for the soft signage and textile printing industry follows the launch of a range of fluorescent inks – HD-One, HI-Pro and K-One – earlier this year, which were intended to capitalise on a trend for fluorescent sportswear.

The new range features the Digistar WR-500 water-based multi-purpose sublimation transfer ink and the Digistar Air, also for sublimation transfer. Air was developed for printing onto lightweight papers. Kiian said it was quick drying, with high colour concentration. 

Digistar Tex-R is Kiian’s new water-based pigment inks for direct printing onto a wide range of fabrics.

The new inks are compatible with the Ricoh Gen 5 printhead.

Marketing director Martin Swift said: “It was what the market asked for. These printheads are being used in Ricoh machines and by other OEMs.”

“In many cases our customers are producing for sportswear or fashion brands. The whole thing about digital print is it lends itself to short runs. In many cases if it sells very well they want to have another run. If the ink is not of the same quality, consistency and reliability their products will not look the same.”

Following reports that the soft signage and textile industry has seen double-digit growth, Swift said the market for digital textile printing was growing but it paid to be cautious.

“I hear lots of numbers being bandied about. Yes, the market is growing. I think it’s very important to understand who your customers are and what they need."