Those new to fabric printing should consider a smaller direct-to-garment (DTG) printer. These printers are easy to use, have a low investment cost, and a small footprint.
Overall, printer manufacturers are working toward providing turnkey solutions for digital fabric printing.
“Fabric printing used to be more of a niche market, but with the broadening range of applications, it’s more important than ever to make equipment that’s reliable, robust, and user-friendly,” says Hunter. “Today, many manufacturers are turning to online support solutions and instructional videos for sharing best practices from setup to finishing.”
Some of the demand for fabric printing equipment is being fuelled by innovations in fabric manufacturing. Newer polyester fabrics that mimic linen, silk, or cotton can be dye-sublimated for a range of apparel and decor applications. Media manufacturers in Europe have even developed a gauzy, woven material that acts as a heat transfer fabric, which can then be adhered to non-polyester fabrics. Further, advancements in primers and other treatments for fabrics have led to black T-shirts that can be dye-sublimated.
Ink manufacturers are creating newer formulations that increase the colour gamut and extend outdoor durability as well as adhesion to a variety of textiles. In addition, the overall industry trend toward vibrant, eye-catching colour has influenced the development of fluorescent inks.
“Fluorescent colours are incredibly popular for everything from uniforms and tennis shoes to accent colours for interior decor,” says Hunter. “In fabric printing and the digital printing market overall, customizing is still the big thing, along with short runs. People want the ability to create unique and specialty personalized items.”
She predicts the next wave of innovation in fabric printing will involve an expanded range of substrates as well as increased options for fabric decoration.
“Manufacturers are working toward developing a suite of equipment to help their clients customize and decorate onto fabrics,” says Hunter. “Overall, we see people getting much more creative. We want to give businesses the tools they need to succeed.”
The future awaits
In addition to foam core and other signage, ultraviolet (UV) flatbed printers are increasingly used to print customized decor such as tabletops, wall hangings, and decorative tiles.
With the many recent improvements in digital printing technology, Roland president and CEO, Andrew Oransky, expects the market for customized products will continue to grow.
“The good news is most printers already have equipment in-house capable of many types of custom applications,” he says. “Manufacturers are leaning into customization with printers that can do even more.”
Another area for progress lies in helping PSPs unlock more value from their software.
“The newest RIP software offers tools including updated registration systems for print/cut, basic image editing, variable data, new colour management choices, and even automatic generation of special colour plates for white, gloss, and other special effects,
all of which can help increase productivity, efficiency, and accuracy,” says Oransky. “Even experienced users are often surprised when
we show them additional features they can access—and the time they can save—by simply incorporating these software improvements.”
Today, manufacturers are focusing on refining usability and introducing products that can create new revenue streams for clients.
“Understanding how products are used, and how they fit into the overall workflow and businesses of users will allow us to develop products that address specific needs and create new opportunities for printed product sales,” says Oransky.
Ginny Mumm is a freelance consultant for digital inkjet printer/cutter provider Roland DGA. For more information, visit www.rolanddga.com.
