The reason for our visit to Mirisi Srece (Scents of Happiness) from Lipik, Croatia, was the installation of the DTF printer Black Monster with five printheads – the first of such capacity in the region. We spoke with Mr. Srecko Sandrk, owner of the company, and Mr. Jure Derman from the Slovenian company DRM, which delivered and commissioned the printer.
Practical Impact of the New Installation
“Our production is now up to 70% faster. T-shirts, bags, umbrellas – everything we produce can now be completed faster and with higher quality. We also offer part of our transfers to other companies. The DTF Black Monster has a higher capacity than our in-house needs, so it doesn’t make sense to keep it running only for us. The transfers will be sold under a separate brand, TurboDTF, inspired by the printer’s speed.
The biggest advantage is automation. The system takes care of ink circulation and cleaning by itself, saving both time and nerves. The installation was quick, everything was done in a single day. Mr. Derman connected remotely, configured the profiles, and then came to finalize the setup. It was all simple and professional,” says Mr. Sandrk.
Monster Technology
“This is our fastest printer to date,” explains Mr. Derman. “The Black Monster is equipped with numerous sensors that ensure a higher level of automation – from sensors at the material feed that maintain constant film tension to exit sensors that control automated film transport through the powder shaker and drying tunnel.
The ink system features subtanks that maintain constant pressure during printing. Automatic cleaning is set to every 10 hours, but if the printer runs daily, cleaning once a week is sufficient. A built-in white ink recirculation system minimizes sedimentation.
We offer two types of white ink – a standard white, ideal for current weather conditions, and a ‘No Sediment’ version for colder days when sedimentation increases. Both use the same color profiles and can be swapped easily, ensuring optimal print quality and long-term system stability. The opacity of both whites is excellent, and their shelf life is up to two years,” says Mr. Derman.
He also highlights the Digital Factory software, noting its user-friendly interface, quick learning curve, and significant ink-saving capabilities.
First Impressions from the Production Floor
Mr. Sandrk emphasizes that the difference compared to their previous printer is substantial.
“It used to take us 11 hours to print one roll – now we finish it in two to two and a half hours. There’s no more film waste at the beginning because the system uses vacuum feeding. Automated powder return and touch-screen control make everything easier. Also, Digital Factory has saved me hours of work in Photoshop.
Customers are satisfied, and the prints adhere perfectly to cotton, polyester blends, bags, towels, and even softshell jackets. We haven’t had a single complaint,” says Mr. Sandrk.
