Han's Yueming Laser, formerly Spectrum Printing, has moved ahead into the 21st Century with a new laser cutting machine.

Called the Spartacus I, it is distributed by Bito and made by Proel. The new machine is a galvanometric, stand-alone device that cuts fabric for applique designs as well as wood, paper, textiles, aluminum, polymers, Plexiglas and leather.

“This is fairly new to the industry,” said Spectrum’s President and CEO Tom Cotton, who added the machine in January. “Our customers were asking about doing more cutting edge work. We looked into it and found there was a demand all over.”

The Spartacus I will do laser etching and/or cutting on all types of fabric. While the process needs precise measurements and several computers need to be synchronized, the process is fairly simple.

The first step is to have the design department at Spectrum create the logo or project needed, or take a design file and adapt it for use on the laser.

If the customer would like an embroidered look, the design is transferred to the computer that runs with one of the embroidery machines. Spectrum has a total of 19 heads to their embroidery machines that can work with up to 19 pieces simultaneously. The piece to be decorated is secured by a device similar to an embroidery hoop and the design is basted to the clothing. The piece then is moved to the laser machine which precisely cuts out the design. The piece of clothing then goes back to the embroidery machine to add the border stitching around the edge of the design, along with any other decoration needed.

Spectrum Marketing Services has purchased a Spartacus I laser machine to offer its customers cutting edge options for their promotional items.
If the customer desires the tattered look, with frayed edges around a logo or wording, the edges won’t have any border stitching. The material will fray after the first washing.

The Spartacus I will also do laser etching. Again the article of clothing is secured with the embroidery hoop, then put directly into the laser machine, which has been programmed to cut the desired design. The laser then burns the design into the fabric.

With each new design, the computer running both the embroidery machines and the laser need to be adjusted so the two work together.

“The darker colors seem to work better with the etching,” said Cotton. “Depending on the cloth, the design may come out lighter, or sometimes darker than the article of clothing.”

The same laser both cuts and etches, just by changing the settings.

“It needs different heat for different materials,” said Cotton. “The laser also needs to be set at different heights to do its job.”

For a two- or three-toned look, several different colors of cloth, and different types of fabric, may be used. The laser will cut through one or two of the layers to give the design depth.

“In one day, the embroidery machines can finish about 200 designs, depending on the level of intricacy,” said Jayne Marrotte, who runs both the embroidery and laser machines. She has been in the printing business for more than 30 years.

Marrotte estimated the smaller embroidery designs take about 2,000 stitches, while the more elaborate ones can take up to 111,000 stitches, or more.

Spectrum Marketing Services staff have worked on the typical T-shirts and sweatshirts, but have also done work with brief cases, duffle bags, hat bands, ties, gloves, golf bags, suitcases and wine coolers on wheels, portable fish houses and chairs.

“One of the most unique jobs we worked on was adding Jagermeister logos to small freezers for one of their promotions,” said Cotton.

Spectrum has also begun a stewardship program within the company that Cotton said has been embraced fully by the employees.

Spectrum operates sales and service offices in Wadena, Alexandria, Moorhead, Broomfield, Colo., and Gilbert, Ariz.

“Little Falls is where all production is done,” said Cotton. “We have begun to give back 1 percent of the company’s gross profits in forms of in-kind donations, cash and labor or services. Recently, Spectrum employees spent several hours at the Alexandria Food Shelf distributing food. Our goal is to increase our donations to all the communities we work in.”

Spectrum also planted a garden on its property in northwest Little Falls and has donated more than 250 pounds of food to the Morrison County Food Shelf this summer.