39 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026 with proven industrial inkjet experience is therefore essential, especially in DTO applications where substrate shape, surface type, and production conditions can vary significantly.” Cook says Xaar’s printhead technologies, including TF Technology, High Laydown Technology, and the ability to jet higherviscosity fluids through Ultra High Viscosity Technology, help maintain stable jetting, support thicker layers and textures, and enable the use of more demanding decorative and functional fluids. “This is particularly important in directto-shape and product decoration, where accurate droplet placement, robust operation, and fluid flexibility are essential to achieving high-quality results on curved, shaped, or challenging surfaces,” he adds. Application-First Approach Elsewhere, Boris Liberman, engineering and technology leader at Engineered Printing Solution (EPS), agrees the DTO market has matured significantly over the past few years. He says one of the biggest trends is the move toward production-scale digital printing. “Manufacturers want systems that can deliver consistent quality, high uptime, and seamless integration with existing production workflows,” he says, adding: “As a result, conversations have shifted away from print engines alone and toward complete solutions that include material handling, robotics, vision systems, pretreatment, and curing. “We’re also seeing growing demand for more flexibility. Brand owners and converters need to manage more SKUs, shorter product lifecycles, and increased customisation without sacrificing productivity. DTO print helps address these challenges by reducing changeovers, inventory and supply chain complexity.” For those seeking to take advantage of increasing demand and pondering new investment, Liberman advises looking first at the application rather than the printing technology. He sets out how different products, shapes, materials, production volumes, and quality requirements demand different approaches. “There is no single solution that fits every application and so we encourage manufacturers to evaluate their entire production process,” he says, continuing: “The printer is of course only one part of the workflow; surface pretreatment, product presentation, curing, inspection, and automation all have a significant impact on final performance. “A successful DTO installation therefore is typically the result of a well-engineered system rather than a standalone machine purchase.” From an EPS point of view, Liberman says the company has taken this application-first approach, working with customers to evaluate the product, substrate, production volumes, and business objectives before recommending the most appropriate solution, whether that involves digital inkjet, pad printing, or a combination of both. “Our latest systems also place a strong emphasis on pretreatment and process control, which are often critical factors in achieving consistent adhesion and print quality across challenging substrates,” he says, adding: “By integrating technologies such as flame, plasma, and other pretreatment methods into the production workflow, we help customers achieve reliable, repeatable results in real-world manufacturing environments.” Versatility of Applications Further advice comes from Andy Gregory, sales director at Hybrid Services, the exclusive distributor for Mimaki in the UK and Ireland. He says DTO continues to move at pace and has, for some time, included far more than simply promotional printed items as key outputs. “At Hybrid, we’re now seeing an increased number of Mimaki UJF printers installed in manufacturing setups, where print forms just one part of a much larger process,” he says, adding: “The ability to customise Demand is particularly strong for direct decoration of glass, plastic, and metal containers, where brands want a premium look and feel without relying on labels or sleeves ▲ Xaar highlights the importance of fluid compatibility when investing in new DTO kit DIRECT-TO-OBJECT PRINTERS | ROB FLETCHER
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