Brisbane-based custom apparel printer, The T-shirt Mill has started 2026 with a strategic investment in automation, installing a ROQ IMPRESS automatic DTF heat transfer press, ROQ FEED automatic DTF transfer loading device, and ROQ PEEL automatic DTF transfer removal machine from GJS to eliminate manual processes and drive competitive pricing across its product range.
The installation of these automation solutions strengthens The T-shirt Mill's position as one of Australia's most comprehensively equipped garment decorators, with the investment enabling the business to maintain competitive pricing while scaling production to meet growing demand.
Greg Stone, Managing Director of GJS, says: "Businesses that have been watching from the sidelines are recognising that automation isn't a luxury or a future consideration, it's a business necessity, and the competitive advantage it delivers is immediate."
"We're seeing 2026 shape up as a pivotal year for automation adoption across the Australian print industry."
Susan McAskill, Director at The T-shirt Mill, adds: " The manual pressing stage has always been a constraint for our business: you're placing transfers by hand, trying to get alignment perfect, then manually removing the film after pressing. It's slow, it requires several operators, and mistakes can be costly."
"With the new ROQ solutions, we're able to produce significantly more garments per hour with less labour input. That means we can take on more jobs, turn work around faster, and most importantly, price more competitively. We've already started re-pricing our DTF products because the cost savings from automation make it viable to be more aggressive in the market."
The ROQ IMPRESS, ROQ FEED and ROQ PEEL form part of ROQ's automated DTF workflow solutions. With laser-guided positioning and automated film removal, the system delivers consistent accuracy with production up to 500 garments per hour.
Under GJS stewardship, Stone notes: "ROQ has moved from being a relative newcomer to becoming a recognised name across screen printing, DTF, and automated finishing. When established operations like The T-shirt Mill invest in ROQ technology, it sends a clear signal about where the industry is heading. Automation has become a non-negotiable for businesses that want to compete on price, speed, and consistency."
The ROQ IMPRESS, ROQ FEED, ROQ PEEL and the ROQ PULL+, which removes garments and stacks them on a conveyor belt, are all available Australia-wide exclusively via GJS.
