Specialty papers, such as photo paper for printing photographs and transfer paper for dye sublimation processes, must be handled carefully to avoid damaging their surface coatings. Large master rolls of these materials must generally be cut to smaller widths and shorter lengths prior to use in printing shops, photo centers, or in self-service photo kiosks. Converters and manufacturers of these papers rely on precision winding machines to unroll, cut, and reroll them without damage or offset.
Jennerjahn Machine manufactures a variety of slitter and rewinder machines for all types of paper, including photo and transfer paper. Our selection of fully automated, semi-automated, and manual equipment efficiently cut bulky master rolls of material into precise widths and lengths.
Learn more about how converters and paper manufacturers can use Jennerjahn’s machines to prepare large rolls for processing and distribution.
What Are Photo Paper and Dye Sublimation Paper Center Winders?
Center slitter/rewinder machines, or center winders, are designed for materials with sensitive or delicate surfaces that can be damaged if improperly handled. These are an excellent option for slitting and rewinding photo and transfer paper to avoid damaging their emulsions, dye-holding coatings, and binders. Rotation is driven by the center of the shaft, which minimizes equipment contact with the material surface.
Center winders have two (sometimes four) winding stations, which allows the next cycle to be prepared as the previous cycle is being finished, cut, and sealed. A rotating turret in the center of the machine moves empty cores and completed rolls between the stations. A shaft loaded with empty cores starts in the first station, where a strip of adhesive tape is applied to secure the ends of the material. The completed rolls from the previous winding cycle are moved to the second station, and the roll ends are cut. As the next cycle begins, a nip roller makes brief contact with the new cores to secure the material. At the same time, the turret rotates and transfers the completed rolls back to the first station where they are sealed and removed from the shaft.
Key Features and Benefits of Jennerjahn’s Photo Paper and Dye Sublimation Paper Center Winders
Jennerjahn’s center winders offer excellent performance, durability, and operator safety. Our automated JTS-2 Shaft Turret Slitter and JTS-4 Shaft Turret Slitter are designed to minimize surface damage to sensitive materials like photo paper and dye sublimation transfer paper. Both are fully automated, and the operator has only to assist with roll packaging and loading cores into a core hopper.
JTS-2: 2 Shaft Turret Slitter
The JTS-2 has two shafts and can start a new winding cycle as the previous one is ending for high efficiency.
JTS-4: 4 Shaft Turret Slitter
The JTS-4 has four shafts for reduced changeover times between cycles. Like our two-shaft model, it for maximum efficiency.
Markets That Use Photo Paper and Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper
In the converting process, large rolls of paper are cut into smaller, more manageable rolls that achieves faster cycle times, such as:
- Retail Photo Labs. Photographs are printed on photo paper that can be cut from rolls at the point of use.
- Apparel. Dye sublimation transfers are printed on transfer paper cut from converted rolls. These transfers are then used to print images and graphics on textiles and other materials.
- Advertising Materials and Banners. The dye sublimation process can also be used on vinyl banners and promotional items such as mugs, decals, or metal panels.
- Photography. Pre-packaged sheets of photo paper can also be cut from converted rolls for sale to consumers and professional photographers.
Photo Paper and Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper Center Winders from Jennerjahn Machine
Jennerjahn Machine stands out for its cutting-edge technology for converters. Like all of our slitter/rewinder equipment, our center winders are engineered for optimal production without damage to rolled materials or costly waste.
Contact our team with questions, or request a quote to learn more about our custom converting solutions for photo paper and transfer paper applications.
