The Role of Software in Textile Printing

In today’s textile industry, printing software has become a fundamental component for enhancing productivity. At Febratex 2024, it was evident that the demand for solutions that integrate automation, precision, and flexibility has never been higher. Our company, focused on providing cutting-edge software for printing, stood out due to the number of resellers opting for our robust solutions. At this event, we secured three new resellers, one of which is a major paint manufacturer in the region.

Visitors to the fair were able to explore how our solutions enable efficient printing, job optimization, and a comprehensive set of tools for production. With the trend of printing flow on the rise, our software proved essential for companies to meet specific demands quickly and with quality, whether for small runs or large production volumes. We showcased our solutions at 15 booths, featuring approximately 40 pieces of equipment, including sublimation, DTF, and DTG technologies.

Innovations Presented at the Fair

During Febratex 2024, we observed significant interest in technologies that combine high productivity with sustainability. FLEXI is prepared for this new movement in the market, offering functionalities that not only improve print quality but also optimize the use of materials, reducing waste and promoting greater savings alongside higher productivity.

La entrada The Visit to Febratex 2024: An Experience of Innovation and Technology in the Textile Industry se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

SAi is thrilled to announce the release of the latest iteration of our pioneering software suite designed to elevate CNC machining to unprecedented levels of precision and productivity. This update is packed with innovative features and enhancements tailored to meet the evolving demands of our users in the professional software and CNC machining industries.

Empowering CNC Machining Professionals:

The EnRoute family of products includes:

EnRoute Complete: The all-in-one solution for comprehensive CNC machining needs.

EnRoute Plus: The professional solution for all your 2D or 2.5D projects.

EnRoute Design: Perfect complementary software for those who require multiple designers working together without the need to export files to production.

EnRoute Fabrication: Tailored for waterjet, plasma, and laser CNC machines, providing the precise control required for high-quality production.

EnRoute for Flexi: A specialized version targeting Flexi users, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced capabilities.

Each product version has specific new features available, ensuring tailored solutions for diverse user needs.

Unveiling the Future of CNC Machining:

1. Advanced Threading Toolpath

Our new tool type and toolpath for cutting threads allows users to apply thread toolpaths similarly to “drill centers,” enabling the application of threads to multiple geometries simultaneously, significantly streamlining the machining process.

2. Optimized Toolpath Ordering

With the new “Order by Entry/Pierce” parameter, toolpath sequencing is enhanced by allowing users to order entries into the material, even within larger toolpath groups. This ensures more efficient and organized cutting operations.

3. Enhanced Plate Tool Bar Functionality

When nesting files across one or multiple plates, the option to “maintain layers” is now checked by default. This ensures that objects and their associated toolpaths remain on their respective layers post-nesting, preserving the integrity of the design.

4. Intuitive Entry/Exit Editing

Users can now effortlessly edit the size and angle of entry/exit objects by simply clicking and dragging, providing greater flexibility and control over toolpaths.

5. Double-Sided Machining Capabilities

Support for double-sided machining includes options to choose flip direction, dowel hole type, and dowel size. This feature facilitates accurate positioning of jobs when flipping over materials, enhancing the precision of complex projects.

6. Trim and Extend by Length

The ability to trim and extend contours by a set length has been re-enabled, offering users more control over contour modifications.

7. Individual Output File Generation

For users without automatic tool changers, the latest EnRoute software offers the option to automatically create output files for each tool used. The tool name will be appended to the output file name, simplifying file management.

8. Snap to Point in Point-Editing Mode

The new snap-to-point functionality in point-editing mode improves accuracy when editing contours, ensuring precise modifications.

9. Comprehensive PDF Reports on Output

Generate detailed PDF reports during output, complete with cut time estimation, tool lists, barcodes, and print previews of plates, providing a comprehensive overview of each job.

10. Entry/Exit and Bridge Position Maintenance Post-Scaling

Users can now maintain the relative position of entry/exit and bridges on toolpaths when scaling, preventing recalculations that reset these positions.

11. Improved Kerf Compensation

The corner entry/exit will now default to the sharpest corner of the geometry, optimizing kerf toolpath placements for superior cutting results.

12. Fixed Output Location for Label Images

Users can set a fixed output path for label images generated with ATP, ensuring consistent and organized file management.

13. Layer Name Placeholder on Labels

A new placeholder for layer names has been added to labels, enhancing clarity and organization.

14. XY Guidelines at the origin on Plate Creation

An option to create XY-guidelines at the origin of the plate upon creation has been added, facilitating precise alignment and setup.

15. Drag-and-Drop File Opening

Users can now open ER files by simply dragging and dropping them into EnRoute, streamlining the workflow.

16. Hot Folder Export as Layered DXF

Designs can be sent to a hot folder as layered DXF files, enhancing compatibility and flexibility in file management.

17. Right-Click Menu Enhancements

The ability to edit entry/exit and bridges has been added to the right-click menu when targeting a toolpath, simplifying adjustments and modifications.

18. Manual Kerf Width Entry

Users can manually enter kerf widths without needing a specific tool set up in the library, providing greater flexibility in toolpath creation.

19. Integrated Post-Processor Options

Post-processor options are now available within the Output window of the automated tool pathing module, enhancing customization and output control.

Conclusion

The latest EnRoute software represents a significant leap forward in CNC machining software, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and enhancements designed to boost efficiency, precision, and ease of use. We invite our users to explore the new features and experience the unparalleled performance of the latest EnRoute software.

For more information, demos, and to upgrade to the latest EnRoute software, please visit our website or contact our support team.

About SAi

SAi is a leading provider of advanced software solutions for the printing, sign-making and CNC machining industry, committed to delivering innovative tools that enhance productivity and precision for professionals worldwide.

La entrada SAi Unveils Enhanced Software Suite: The Latest EnRoute Software se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

Networking and Partnerships

The fair provided an ideal environment for networking. We had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share experiences, and discuss potential collaborations. We established valuable contacts that will undoubtedly open doors to new partnerships and future projects. Additionally, we gained a deeper understanding of market needs and expectations, which will help us align our strategies and solutions to better serve our clients.

 Showcasing Our Company

Our booth at the fair was a highlight. We used a new layout, different from previous editions, which garnered a flood of compliments and allowed visitors to get a better understanding of our products and services. The reception was excellent, with many participants expressing interest in our solutions. We emphasized our commitment to innovation and quality in customer service, reinforcing our position as a leading player in the visual communication market.

 Impact and Future Prospects

Participating in Future Print not only reinforced our market presence but also inspired us to continually pursue innovation. We left the event with a clearer vision of the future of visual communication and a renewed enthusiasm to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead.

In summary, the fair was an absolute success for our company. We returned home with new knowledge, valuable contacts, and the certainty that we are on the right path to continue growing and providing innovative and effective solutions for our clients. We are eager to apply everything we learned and to continue standing out in the dynamic world of digital communication.

La entrada Participation at Future Print 2024: A Transformative Experience se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

Flexi RS Versions: Print RS and Sign RS

FlexiPrint RS:

Flexi Print RS is tailored for small print businesses that need a reliable, cost-effective solution for their printing needs. This version includes essential features such as:

• Design and Layout Tools: Comprehensive tools for creating professional designs and layouts.

• Print Management: Advanced print management features to handle multiple print jobs efficiently.

• Color Correction and Management: Ensures accurate color reproduction and consistency.

• Support for Popular Printers: Compatible with a wide range of printers, making it a versatile choice for various printing applications.

FlexiSign RS:

Flexi Sign RS is designed specifically for sign-making businesses, offering a robust set of tools to handle all aspects of sign production. Key features include:

• Vector Design Tools: Powerful tools for creating and editing vector graphics, essential for sign-making.

• Vinyl Cutting Integration: Seamless integration with vinyl cutters, supporting features like contour cutting and weeding lines.

• Job Management: Efficient job management tools to keep track of multiple projects and deadlines.

• Cost-Effective: An affordable solution that delivers professional-grade results without breaking the bank.

Why Flexi RS Versions are Ideal for Small Businesses

Affordability:

One of the most significant advantages of the RS versions is their affordability. Small businesses often operate with limited budgets, and Flexi Print RS and Sign RS provide access to professional-grade tools without the high cost typically associated with such comprehensive software suites.

Ease of Use:

Both RS versions are designed with small businesses in mind, offering an intuitive user interface and easy-to-learn features. This reduces the time and cost associated with training staff, allowing businesses to quickly implement the software into their workflow.

Comprehensive Features:

Despite their lower cost, the RS versions do not skimp on features, the only limit being the number of devices that can be driven simultaneously. They offer all the essential tools needed for high-quality design, print, and sign-making tasks, ensuring that small businesses can compete with larger companies in terms of output quality and efficiency.

SAI, a leader in providing innovative software for the sign and print industry, has once again set the standard with the latest version of Flexi Complete. This comprehensive software suite offers a wide range of features designed to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and ensure top-quality output.

Main Features of Flexi Complete

All-in-One Design and Production:

Flexi Complete combines powerful design tools with robust production capabilities. Users can create intricate designs using vector and bitmap tools, and then seamlessly transition to production with features like contour cutting, tiling, and nesting. The software supports a wide range of file formats, ensuring compatibility with various design and production equipment.

Intuitive User Interface:

The latest version of Flexi Complete features an intuitive, user-friendly interface that simplifies complex design and production tasks. The customizable workspace allows users to arrange tools and panels to suit their workflow, improving efficiency and reducing learning curves for new users.

Advanced Color Management:

Color accuracy is critical in the sign and print industry. Flexi Complete includes advanced color management tools, allowing users to achieve precise color matching and consistency across different media and devices. The software supports ICC profiles, spot color libraries, and color proofing to ensure optimal color output.

Enhanced Cutting Tools:

Flexi Complete provides a range of cutting tools for various applications, from vinyl cutting to contour cutting for printed graphics. The software supports most popular cutting plotters and offers features like weeding lines, cut-by-color, and overcut to enhance cutting precision and ease of use.

Efficient Workflow Integration:

Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, Flexi Complete supports direct communication with printers, cutters, and other production equipment. The software includes features like job management, barcode creation, and print-and-cut automation, streamlining the entire production process from design to final output.

In conclusion, the latest version of Flexi Complete by SAI is a game-changer for the sign and print industry, offering a comprehensive set of features designed to enhance productivity and output quality. For small businesses, the Flexi RS versions, Print RS and Sign RS, stand out as particularly cost-effective and efficient solutions, while Flexi Complete offers a more powerful option for those with bigger needs.

Come and visit us at Future Print – Booth N010 from July 10th to 13th to discover more about our line of products and how our solutions will help you improving all aspects of your business workflow and production.

La entrada Flexi: A Comprehensive Solution for Modern Sign and Print Businesses se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

Among the highlights are the new Flexi Complete, Flexi Design, Flexi DTF|DTG, Flexi Print RS, and Flexi Sign RS. These innovative products are designed to cater to various needs within the sign and print industry, from comprehensive design and printing solutions to specialized packages for specific applications.
Flexi Complete is the flagship product, renowned for its robust capabilities that encompass design, print, and cut functionalities. It offers an intuitive interface and advanced tools that streamline workflows, making it ideal for professionals at any experience level. Flexi Complete includes powerful vector drawing tools, advanced color management, and seamless integration with other software and hardware.

Flexi Print RS and Flexi Sign RS are cost-effective versions of Flexi Complete, tailored to meet specific needs. Flexi Print RS provides a comprehensive solution for design, print, and contour cutting on a single printer and cutter, while Flexi Sign RS focuses on driving any cutter for direct and contour cuts. Both versions include a full suite of Flexi features such as spot color mapping, true-shape nesting, and a robust 64-bit RIP engine, ensuring high efficiency and quality in production.
Flexi Design is perfect for design-only stations, offering powerful tools for creating professional designs and artwork. It supports various applications, including stickers, vehicle wraps, and traffic signage, and integrates smoothly with other RIP software and production setups.

To experience these cutting-edge solutions and learn more about how they can enhance your business operations, visit the SA International booth at FuturePrint. Engage with experts, see live demonstrations, and discover how Flexi software can revolutionize your workflow.

For more details, visit thinksai.com/latam and join us at FuturePrint to explore the future of sign and print technology!

La entrada See you at Future Print! se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

Uncovering Opportunities in Bolivia

My journey began in the dynamic city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, where I was warmly welcomed by our local clients at ACRICOLOR. During our discussions, their strong interest and commitment to our new Vouchers and Subscription Licensing business model were clear. The visit also aligned with an agenda set by our distributor, HP, which included the launch of the Latex 630w printer. A comprehensive training session on the Flexi HP Edition software was held, capped by the grand opening of a new branch where we introduced our solutions to approximately 40 clients.

Exploring the Colombian Market

The business trip continued in Bogotá, Colombia, where we were met with enthusiasm by our Colombian partners amidst the city’s vibrant business landscape. The meetings underscored a robust confidence in the ongoing growth of this crucial market. A key highlight was the chance to visit several distributors, which provided valuable insights into their specific needs and a deeper understanding of the markets they serve. We held commercial and technical training sessions that supported SAI’s strategy for the Latin American market and advanced our revamped product line, which includes all the latest tools and drivers.

Additionally, similar to our activities in Bolivia, we executed agendas requested by HP, meeting with clients SIGN SUPPLY and DISPAPELES to showcase the full range of HP solutions, including the 3M Traffic Edition solution. Esteemed resellers, 2B GRAFICO and IDEALINOVA, also hosted us graciously.

Conclusion: A Journey of Learning and Growth

This business excursion to Bolivia and Colombia went beyond mere commercial engagements; it was a journey of personal and professional development. By interacting with clients and partners in diverse cultural settings, I expanded my worldview, sharpened my intercultural communication skills, and uncovered business opportunities in emerging markets.

La entrada Expanding Horizons: Strategic Business Insights from Our Journey to Bolivia and Colombia se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

Introducing The All New Flexi Complete

Exploring the Future of Flexi: Flexi Complete

In the ever-evolving landscape of design and printing software, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. Enter Flexi Complete, the latest offering from SAi, promising a suite of cutting-edge features to revolutionize the way professionals in the industry work. Let’s delve into what makes Flexi Complete a game-changer for designers, printers, and sign makers alike. Flexi Complete is the same Flexi you know and love but with a fresh new look and a bevy of improvements. Let’s see what’s new.

A Better User Experience: One of the standout features of Flexi Complete is its commitment to providing a seamless user experience. Flexi Complete brings a new look to the intuitive interface of Flexi. Designed to streamline workflows, users can navigate the software with ease, saving both time and effort. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in sign making, DTF DTG, direct-to-vinyl, or other wide format printing applications Flexi Complete’s user-friendly design ensures that you can hit the ground running from day one.

Enhanced Design Capabilities: Flexi Complete empowers designers with enhanced capabilities to bring their creative visions to life. With an array of new tools and functionalities at their disposal, users can push the boundaries of design like never before. From advanced vector drawing tools to dynamic effects and filters, Flexi Complete offers unparalleled flexibility and control, allowing designers to unleash their creativity without limitations.

Optimized Printing Workflow: Efficiency is key in the world of printing, and Flexi is engineered to optimize every step of the printing workflow. With robust finishing tools and advanced color management features, users can ensure that their prints are accurate and of the highest quality, every time. Whether you’re producing large-scale signage or intricate graphics, Flexi’s printing capabilities are second to none.

Seamless Integration: Flexi seamlessly integrates with existing workflows, making it easy to incorporate into your existing setup. Whether you’re using other design software, RIP software, or hardware devices, Flexi plays nice with others, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption to your operations. Flexi Complete offers a total package from design to production, including a powerful 64-bit RIP to give users a seamless workflow from start to finish.

Commitment to Innovation: At its core, Flexi Complete is a testament to SAi’s commitment to innovation. With a dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, SAi continues to raise the bar in the world of design and printing software. Flexi Complete is not just a product but a reflection of SAi’s ongoing mission to empower professionals in the industry with the tools they need to succeed.

With its intuitive interface, enhanced design capabilities, optimized printing workflow, seamless integration, and commitment to innovation, Flexi Complete is made to revolutionize the way professionals in the sign and print industry work. Whether you’re a designer, printer, or sign maker, Flexi Complete is the ultimate tool to bring your creative visions to life.

Learn more about the exciting new features.

La entrada Introducing The All New Flexi Complete se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.

USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN

In our market, AI used to stand for Adobe Illustrator, but these days itâ€s being associated with Artificial Intelligence. It appears that AI is very quickly intruding on just about every aspect of life. But can AI be used in graphic design? Letâ€s look at what could be a viable workflow.

TELL CHATGPT ITâ€S A GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ASK

For this exercise, we will use the free version of ChatGPT. If you want to use this, just search Google for ChatGPT and set yourself up with a free account. Iâ€ve already done that. Just tell ChatGPT something like this: “Imagine you are a professional graphic designer specializing in sign making. Image you are a professional graphics designer specializing in sign making. Iâ€ll ask you some question to help me craft a design.”

ChatGPT has agreed to pretend to be a graphic designer. Next, itâ€s good to provide a little context for your project. Here is what I tried.

Here’s what ChatGPT came up with:

I have to say, this is a good strategy for the design. Ater reviewing this information from the ChatGPT, you should have an idea now appearing in your head! (Scary, but true, right?) Iâ€m already “seeing” a window with some of these elements! Letâ€s see what we can come up with following the suggestions of ChatGPT.

FIND A COLOR PALETTE

I just typed “pastels brown green color palette” as a google search and here is what I got.

I kind of like the one on the right, so I did a right click to copy, then pasted this into Flexi.

Next, I asked Flexi to Color vectorize the image. After that I created a custom color swatch by right clicking on the current one, choose New and then right clicking on the new blank swatch and choosing merge from document resulting is a new custom color swatch.

FIND A STARTING TEMPLATE

To find a starting point, I went to www.canva.com and in the search box typed “hair salon with pastel colors” Here is one design I liked.

So, I downloaded it as a PDF file and opened this file in Flexi.

When importing I allowed Flexi to import the lettering as a font rather than curves because I want to change the fonts and edit them. In addition, I opened DesignEditor so I could select various objects that I wish to change.

Finally, I made some text changes and added a picture of a martini that I searched google for as well.

What do you think?

Okay, AI didnâ€t actually create the job, BUT it was really good at giving me a path to follow. Iâ€m sure you REAL graphic designers could do better but for this old man, not bad!

Tell us how you use AI in design….as for me? Itâ€s time for my hair cut and I hope thereâ€s a long wait!

Need some help with SAi Flexi or EnRoute?

Our Learning & Development Department Can Help, just visit www.adendo.com to start your learning journey today.

You can also join the Flexi User Community where you’ll find content that’ is nowhere else on the internet and be able to connect with other users just like you.

by Mark A. Rugen, Managing Director of Learning & Development, SAi

La entrada Using Artificial Intelligence for Graphic Design se publicó primero en ThinkSAi - LatAm.