a device is provided for holding down textile material on the platen of a digital printing machine . the device includes facing flexible rubber pads or seals mounted on the periphery of the platen . the seals have opposed gripping surfaces which touch or have a selected limited spacing there between . the textile material is pushed and tucked in between the seals . the seals grip and hold the material in position , to provide a smooth material surface on which the ink is applied . after the printing operation , the textile material is pulled out from the seal grip .