Designs, which were thought to be impossible yesterday, are available today with limitless colors, and forms. Digital textile printing meets individual fashion design concepts.
Novel techniques in textile printing create new opportunities in business. As technology advanced in the printing process, color inkjet printers became a vital part in the printing process of the fabric market as well. Utilizing the advantages of the digital printing technology, this is a process of printing on textiles and garments, through specialized or modified inkjet technology. It is done by using an inkjet printer and using fabric sheets with a removable paper backing. A transport mechanism for the fabric, and special textile inks are applied to textiles directly and are absorbed by the fibers.
Digital textile printing is an excellent reflection or original artworks with a right blend of classic and elegant view. Also known as direct to garment printing, the process prints designs on fabrics from the computer without any other sources like designing on paper and printing. It enables for changes in color and design easily, and quickly prior to printing. This technology offers faster production technology, cost effective print runs, and provides majority of the worlds printed textiles. This process consumes less water, and dyes, thereby proving to be environmentally friendly. Family photos too can be used for digital printing on the fabric of ones own choice.
Fabric is a three dimensional structure and the ink and hues vary to a larger extent. Due to this some practical limitations exist on the fabrics. From the viewpoint of the conventional textile industry, digital textile printing is slow and expensive when compared with traditional processes used commonly in todays market. However, the key driver in adopting this technology is minimizing sampling costs, and time to market.
A recent research by Dupont states that cotton is most commonly used followed by blends of cotton and polyester. Other fabrics such as wool, silk, and polyacrylic play a minor role. Cotton is normally used for good washability. While using dark fabrics, a special pre-treatment is done prior to printing to make the ink hold well with the fabric.
For businessmen in search of new markets textile digital printing opens new doors. It provides a prosperous niche market. Consumers of today are more demanding with specific choices relating to style, design, and color combinations. This business enables quick turn-around, economic and flexible, efficient set-up and speed. Main advantage of this process is color applications through latest printers, and software applications. Recent concepts of shimmering, shadow, reflection, blurring, layering, and superimposing is also possible through digital fabric printing.
The art of digital printing has influenced both the style and process of textile printing. Digital textile printing has re-aligned conventional textile printing processes with innovation, and technological advancement.
References:
1. http://www.woodheadpublishing.com
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