Machine: Nagel & Hermann’s Endless Libero C
From Dave Roper
Phil Millar
Managing director
Tell us a bit about your business
We’re embellishers of leisurewear in various forms, including embroidery, print, transfer and rhinestones. We specialise in workwear, promowear and retail garments.
What rhinestoning machine do you have and when did you buy it?
I bought an Austrian-made machine by Nagel & Hermann, the Endless Libero C model. I saw it at Fespa and thought it looked great, so I bought it through Dave Roper at the end of 2015. It cost around £30,000.
Why did you decide to buy a rhinestoning machine?
We were doing plenty of rhinestoning for customers already – we were getting the designs created for us by another company and then we’d heat press them on. Having our own machine allows us to automate the process and speed up our turnaround for our customers.
What other machines did you look at before buying this one?
I also looked at the Ioline CrystalPress, but the thing I like about the Endless Libero C is that the transfer paper is on a roll, rather than in individual sheets, so you don’t have to keep loading it.
What do you consider to be its main advantages?
You can use all different size rhinestones. Nagel & Hermann has got a great range of rhinestones, all different kinds and shapes, not just the usual 3mm and 5mm. Plus, of course, because the transfer paper is on a roll you can leave it running all night by itself.
How easy is it to use?
It’s about as easy to learn to use as an embroidery or screen print machine. You definitely need training on it and how to use the software.
Is there anything you don’t like about the machine?
It’s slow, because each rhinestone is put on individually – I can’t think of any other way to do it though, that’s just the way it is.
What sort of work are you doing on it?
Mostly garments for the female market, such as for footballs clubs where we’ll make the crest in rhinestones. We’ve also just done a job for a yoga company. The run lengths vary from five pieces up to 2,000. The more the merrier.
Do you use it in conjunction with other machines?
We often combine print and rhinestones together for a great effect, either with direct-to-garment prints from the M&R M-Link or with screen prints.
What would be your advice to others thinking of buying a rhinestone machine?
You’ve got to have a market for it. Don’t get it and think you’ll find a market, you’ve got to have that sorted before you buy it.
Having our own machine allows us to automate the process and speed up our turnaround for our customers
TRANSFER APPLICATION
The Endless Libero C is a four hopper, hot fix setting machine that allows rhinestones and other hot fix elements to be applied to transfer paper. It can apply up to 7,000 rhinestones per hour, from 2mm to 8mm. It works automatically, with no operator needed to feed the transfer paper, and can also cut the transfer paper if required.
