A bold new future for digitally printing textiles
Laurel Brunner discusses digital printing manufacturers’ keen interest in the textile market. Digital printing has a wide range of technologies available and there are numerous opportunities in textiles, not least because of the environmental dimension.
Manufacturers of digital printing presses have been eyeing up the textile market for a while. Both direct-to-garment (DtG) printing and the printing of textiles for other purposes have been attracting attention. This makes sense given the range of technologies available and the dynamism in the digital printing business: everyone’s looking for that next killer application. Textile printing may well be it.
There is indeed a massive opportunity in textiles, not least because of the environmental dimension. Reducing environmental impact should be as much a driving force in the positioning of digital printing of textiles as supply chain disruption, because the traditional linear model of textile production is incredibly resource intensive. It requires huge amounts of water for instance, apparently taking nearly 2000 litres of water to produce a single pair of jeans. And according to the journal Nature the textile industry is responsible for 1.2 billion tonnes of Greenhouse Gas emissions per year. To put that in perspective in 2017 the airline industry’s worldwide flights accounted for 859 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Anything that can be done to cut the environmental impact of textile production has to be a plus.
In the wake of the fast fashion phenomenon, there are other indicators that the traditional model is vulnerable to disruption. Fast fashion encourages people to wear and keep their clothes for less time and there are also signs of an increase in the frequency with which interiors are refreshed. The combination of an outdated linear supply chain, environmental pressure and changing consumer expectations suggest a sector ripe for serious disruption. We may be looking at the advent of superfast fashion produced on demand. The only snag, and it’s a serious one, is how to deal with the waste, because existing textile waste and recycling management are decidedly subpar.
A new textile economy is beyond the graphics industry on its own but printers and their technology providers can contribute to a model that follows the principles of the circular economy. We need new ideas for textile and clothing recycling and alternative supply chains that support it effectively. Here it makes sense for equipment manufacturers to partner with service providers and brands more effectively, especially in the physical and online retailing spaces. At the very least digital press manufacturers serving the textile sector should acknowledge the environmental concerns. They should provide positioning statements outlining their intentions and initiatives to support textile recycling and reuse.
A new approach to apparel and textile recycling will drive superfast on demand fashion because it solves the two big problems facing buyers. We want new clothes on demand because we never, ever have anything to wear, and there’s never enough wardrobe space. For digital press manufacturers such as Kodak, Ricoh, EFI and HP, the opportunity is to digitally print textiles and clothes selling more ink, more often in the process.
Source: This article was produced by the Verdigris project, an industry initiative intended to raise awareness of print’s positive environmental impact. This commentary helps printing companies keep up to date with environmental standards, and how environmentally friendly business management can help improve their bottom lines. Verdigris is supported by the following companies: Agfa Graphics, Spindrift.click, EFI, FESPA, HP, Kodak, Kornit Digital, Ricoh, Splash PR, Unity Publishing and Xeikon.
Topics
Interested in joining our community?
Enquire today about joining your local FESPA Association or FESPA Direct
Recent news
FESPA Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo to return in Berlin, Germany in May 2025
FESPA has today announced that its flagship annual FESPA Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo events will return to Messe Berlin, Germany, from Tuesday 6 – Friday 9 May 2025, covering screen, digital and textile printing, signage and visual communications. Confirmed features include Personalise Make Wear, World Wrap Masters, Club FESPA and the return of the bi-annual FESPA Awards.
New technologies and materials rewire and remap the silk road
Debbie McKeegan speaks to Thomas Poetz about the changes within the textile sector in the last 30 years. Thomas shares his insights and discusses the latest innovations in textile fibres.
FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo and Personalisation Experience 2024 - Day 1 Highlights
It is the first day at the FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo and Personalised Experience 2024, Europe's leading printing and signage exhibitions. Taking place at the RAI, Amsterdam in the Netherlands from 19th - 22nd March.
Sportswear Pro 2024 - Day 1 Highlights
It is the first day at FESPA's brand new exhibition, Sportswear Pro 2024 organised for professionals in the sportswear and merchandise manufacturing industry. Taking place at the RAI, Amsterdam in the Netherlands from 19th - 22nd March.