Those in the textile industry know that it is not easy to find the perfect print in a fabric for what you want to produce. But what if you could find or create your own print digitally and then print it directly onto the fabric? This is already a reality. Called digital printing, it is the most technological, economical, sustainable and versatile option for fabric manufacturing, as Digitale Têxtil explains in this link.
“Digital printing is done by a machine very similar to a paper printer, which prints the designs on the fabrics using only ink cartridges. It offers infinitely customizable options, prints with greater variety and quality of colors, and can be printed in both large and small scales, without compromising cost-benefit”, the text says.
According to a report by Grand View Research, Inc., the size of the global printed textile market is expected to reach $266.38 billion by 2025. This means that the market is growing rapidly, and knowing that this is a recurring demand, the opportunities for those who want to get involved and invest in the field are increasingly diverse.
But where to start?
Mila Sanchez, print mentor and owner of a studio that bears her name, offers some tips:
- Invest in technical knowledge about how the technology works;
- Understand how to create prints of all types and complexities (after all, digital printing allows you to be daring and differentiate your work because of the infinite possibilities of creation);
- Learn more about business and digital marketing to conquer your space in the market, positioning yourself with your best differentiation (because the competition today is gigantic, so what will make you stand out is to invest in knowledge and differentiation).
Digital printing trends in the textile industry that the entrepreneur should be aware of
According to the expert, brands and prints are trying to update themselves, becoming more sustainable, environmentally friendly and introducing new techniques in printing. “Therefore, I always point out that new entrepreneurs in the field, who are very attentive to the news of this market and always invest in up-to-date knowledge to have even more demand”, he says.
Here are some trends:
Sustainability
This text, published by Future Print, tells a little about the importance and environmental impact of the textile industry. To give you an idea, according to Global Fashion International, more than 90 million tons of textile waste have been discarded in recent years, and the projection for the next eight years is that this number will reach 140 million tons. That’s a lot! The market has been working to change this reality by adopting more sustainable measures. And digital printing has advantages over the traditional method because it does not produce waste such as screens and paper, and it uses less energy and water.
Customization
It’s not new, but personalization is still a trend. The possibility of printing a fabric with a design of your choice makes this item an eternal wave. This is because it makes the piece unique, but also because it is necessary to be creative and always keep an eye on what is happening at the moment, on the colors, on the figures, etc.
Decoration
Let’s be clear: digital printing is not just about fashion. Decorative items are increasingly linked to the style of each resident. This is why the technique is increasingly being used to produce cushions, sofas and even wallpaper.
Advantages of a digital printing company
For Mila, digital printing is a world of endless possibilities. “This form of printing allows designers to be innovative in their creations and to meet the demands of today’s audiences. Digital printing allows you to go further and serve everyone,” he explains.
Here are some benefits:
- Digital printing allows the entrepreneur to meet any demand: from a single order to a large quantity.
- They have more control over supply, which reduces supply costs.
- There is much more agility in the process of printing the parts. This means you save time and delivery is much faster than before.
- The printing is much more realistic due to the high resolution of the images, which makes the product of even higher quality.
Main challenges for small businesses in this sector
Lack of technical knowledge in the field and among suppliers, in addition to competition. These are the main challenges of the sector, according to Mila. “By investing in his career, with up-to-date knowledge, the entrepreneur can stand out in this market and show his potential”, he says.
Another difficulty she sees is the value of fingerprints for textiles. “There are few that focus on the small entrepreneur in the Brazilian market, but it is already possible to find digital prints focused on this customer”.
Most recommended techniques in digital printing
There are two recommended techniques in digital printing.
- Direct printing: the print is printed directly on the fabric, which is prepared so that the ink penetrates and adheres to the fibers.
- Sublimation: most commonly used for synthetic fabrics, the print is transferred from the paper to the fabric using a thermal press.
Do you like it? If you want to get involved in this sector, you now know that there is no shortage of opportunities. And don’t forget Mila Sanchez’s valuable tip: keep up to date and always invest in knowledge and networking to keep growing.
