
In today’s booming textile and soft signage market, businesses are moving beyond traditional printing methods to embrace digital direct textile printing that delivers speed, efficiency, and exceptional print quality. Among the standout technologies enabling this transformation are DGEN Direct Textile Printers, available through Midcomp — a trusted provider of advanced printing solutions since 1991.
This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about DGEN Direct Textile Printers — how they work, their advantages, the types of machines available, applications across industries, and why investing in these systems through Midcomp is a strategic choice for 2026 and beyond.
What Are DGEN Direct Textile Printers?
DGEN Direct Textile Printers are advanced digital printing systems designed specifically to print directly onto fabric — meaning the printer applies ink straight to the textile surface without having to print on transfer paper first. This direct approach dramatically improves workflow efficiency, reduces production steps, and expands the types of fabrics that can be printed.
These machines are known for:
- Printing on natural and synthetic textiles, such as cotton, silk, polyester, and lycra.
- Versatile ink support, including pigment inks that allow outdoor durability and vibrant colours.
- Integrated pre-treatment systems, eliminating the need to source pre-treated textiles.
By pioneering direct textile printing solutions, DGEN helps print businesses increase productivity while delivering professional-grade output on a wide range of fabrics.
How Direct Textile Printing Works
Direct textile printing — often referred to as direct-to-fabric printing — involves applying controlled droplets of ink directly onto textile surfaces via digital printheads.
Unlike traditional screen printing or dye-sublimation transfer methods (where ink is first printed on paper and then transferred to fabric), direct textile printers apply ink straight to the fabric roll. This makes the process:
- Faster and more streamlined
- Suitable for on-demand and automated production
- Capable of higher print accuracy and colour consistency
DGEN machines also use innovative feeding systems — such as Sticky Belt drive systems — which ensure reliable fabric handling even with slippery or elastic substrates like lycra and silk.
Key Features That Set DGEN Printers Apart
Direct Printing on Natural & Synthetic Fabrics
DGEN direct textile systems support diverse textiles including cotton, silk, lycra, polyester, and blends — opening your portfolio to fashion, apparel, décor, and soft signage markets.
Advanced Sticky Belt Fabric Feeding
Sticky Belt technology is a core innovation that ensures smooth fabric movement during printing — especially useful for lightweight, slippery, or stretch fabrics.
In-Line Pre-Treatment Injection
Some DGEN systems include an in-line pre-treatment channel that applies necessary primers directly from the inkjet head — meaning fabrics don’t need to be pre-coated before printing. This simplifies preparation and reduces costs.
Eco-Friendly Pigment Inks
DGEN printers can use eco-friendly pigment ink, which works well across most textiles and provides strong outdoor resistance — important for banners, flags, and promotional fabric signage.
Operator-Friendly Design
These printers are designed to be intuitive and easy to maintain, helping minimise downtime and workforce training time.
Types of DGEN Direct Textile Printers
Midcomp showcases a range of DGEN direct textile printing solutions to meet varying business requirements.
DGEN Papyrus Grande Pro
A 3.2 m dye-sublimation printer capable of producing both paper and textile output — ideal for businesses that need crossover capabilities.
DGEN Artrix H8
An industrial-grade direct textile printer that excels in printing high-quality graphics on fabric using pigment and acid dyes, with sturdy feeding and optional heat transfer systems.
DGEN Teleios Grande H12
A 3.2 m wide dye-sublimation/pigment machine designed for mixed workflows — perfect for large signage and soft textile decorations.
DGEN Teleios Hexa
A 1.8 m wide solution that balances performance and space requirements for mid-volume textile printing environments.
These models allow businesses to scale production and diversify their service offerings without investing in multiple separate printers.
Why Choose DGEN Direct Textile Printers?
Faster Production, Fewer Steps
Direct printing to fabric eliminates intermediate workflows like printing onto paper and transferring with heat, saving both time and labour costs.
High Image Quality & Precision
By printing directly onto textiles with engineered inkjet technology, DGEN printers deliver crisp, vibrant graphics appropriate for signage, brand identities, and custom apparel products.
Strong Outdoor Durability
Using pigment inks rather than just sublimation inks, certain DGEN printers can produce prints suited for outdoor applications such as soft signage and flags with enhanced sunlight and weather resistance.
Increased Business Flexibility
Whether you serve fashion houses, event signage projects, retail décor, or corporate branding, direct textile printing expands the markets you can serve — enabling new revenue streams.
Applications Across Industries
Digital textile printing with DGEN equipment is used in a wide range of sectors:
Fashion & Apparel
Print patterns, logos, and designs directly onto garments and textile panels — perfect for customised or limited-edition runs.
Retail & Soft Signage
Fabric graphics, backlit displays, and retail installations benefit from vibrant and durable prints that can be produced efficiently.
Events & Exhibitions
Large roll-to-roll fabrics for banners, drapes, stands, and promotional displays can be produced quickly and with professional quality.
Home Décor & Custom Textiles
Printed textiles for drapes, soft furnishings, and décor accents allow interior designers to offer bespoke products.
Corporate Branding
Branded flags, banners, and signage fabrics can all be printed directly on site or for client delivery with rapid turnaround.
Direct vs. Transfer Textile Printing — What’s the Difference?
It’s useful to understand how direct textile printing compares to traditional transfer methods like dye-sublimation:
- Direct printing places ink directly onto the fabric surface, reducing process steps and offering speed and flexibility.
- Transfer printing prints on transfer paper first and then uses heat to transfer designs to fabric — effective for certain materials but adds an extra operational step.
Direct textile solutions are typically preferred for high-volume production, multi-colour projects, and mixed fabric types — especially when time and operational simplicity matter most.
Why Partner with Midcomp for DGEN Printers
Choosing Midcomp means you benefit from decades of experience distributing and supporting professional printing solutions in South Africa and Africa — including DGEN textile technology.
Expert Consultation
Midcomp’s specialists help you select the best DGEN model for your specific production needs and workflow goals.
Installation & Training
From setup to operator training, Midcomp ensures your team is confident and productive with their new equipment.
Ongoing Support & Maintenance
Reliable technical and service support keeps printers operating at peak efficiency, minimising downtime and maximising ROI.
Financing Options
Midcomp also offers financing programs — including Pay-Per-Use options — that can make acquiring industrial printing technology more accessible for growing businesses.
Tips to Maximise Your Investment in Direct Textile Printing
To get the most value from DGEN printers:
- Train operators thoroughly on fabric types and ink usage.
- Use appropriate RIP software for accurate colour and layout control.
- Perform routine maintenance on feed systems and printheads.
- Experiment with fabric profiles to ensure optimal print results for each material.
SEO-Friendly FAQs About DGEN Direct Textile Printers
Q: What textiles can DGEN printers print on?
A: They can print on both natural and synthetic fabrics like cotton, silk, lycra, and polyester.
Q: Do DGEN printers require pre-treated fabric?
A: Many models include in-line pre-treatment systems that remove the need for pre-treated textiles.
Q: Is direct textile printing faster than transfer techniques?
A: Yes — direct printing eliminates intermediary steps, allowing faster production.
Q: Can DGEN ink be used outdoors?
A: Using pigment inks, many DGEN prints have enhanced outdoor durability suitable for banners and signage.
Q: Are DGEN printers suitable for high-volume production?
A: Yes — these industrial printers are built to handle large rolls and continuous printing environments.
Conclusion: Future-Ready Fabric Printing for 2026
The DGEN Direct Textile Printers offered by Midcomp provide a powerful, efficient, and versatile platform for businesses looking to expand into digital textile printing and soft signage markets in 2026 and beyond. With direct print workflows, advanced fabric handling technologies, and strong support infrastructure, DGEN systems help producers deliver outstanding print quality while improving operational efficiency and opening new revenue streams.

