TF Signs opts for new Epson SureColor SC-F6300

Telford-based TF Signs has purchased and installed a new Epson SureColor SC-F6300 dye-sublimation printer from CMYUK.

TF Signs took on the machine to aid the production of team apparel for the British male and female teams competing at this years’ FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle competitions.

Following a curtailment in 2020 due to the pandemic, and with a reduced presence in 2021, the ISDE made a spectacular comeback this year for its 70^th anniversary, which in pushed TF Signs and is managing director Ryan Austin to bring the manufacturing of the event jerseys in-house for the first time.

 “After the cancellation in 2020, the uncertainty surrounding the 2021 event, the companies we previously partnered with seemed disinterested in the project we had this year,” Austin explains, adding: “With Brexit and the Covid excuse, the usual sources in Italy became unusable, due to long lead times required on design and production and the tax tariffs imposed by Brexit.

“Back in June I took the decision we needed to manufacture here in the UK to enable us to solve the above problems, giving us 100 percent control over every aspect of the garment production.

“Nobody is manufacturing such items in the UK for this market space, previously it was all outsourced to companies in Italy, and while the garment costs are competitive, the customs bills are proving very high due to Brexit.

“My thinking was to install a dye-sublimation printer to enable me to produce garments at roughly the same production costs but without the long lead times and logistic issues which continue to be problematic.”