Digital fabric printing continues to offer print buyers more and more advantages such as customisation, smaller print runs, greater versatility, fast turnaround time and delivery in a market that places ever increasingly short deadline delivery expectations. One way to react to this is by utilising the latest digital fabric printing technologies to produce the printed media that print buyers’ want.
The methods of printing technologies such as solvent, UV, latex and most notably dye-sublimation are all captured under the umbrella of digital fabric printing. One common factor that this term embraces is that the method of printing has many similarities. They all use computer technology to translate the imagery to be printed onto the media of choice. The delivery system and the type of ink may vary from one method to the next but there are many similarities.
As print machines, colour management systems and inks have developed the scope to print on to a wider choice of substrates has increased. Digital fabric printing offers new opportunities outside the markets print companies have traditionally served. This is also fuelled by the fact that print buyers are better informed today of the capabilities of different print machines. The boundaries are always changing as the technology continues to develop as a direct result of the market.
Digital fabric printing offers a wealth of exciting opportunities where fabrics and textiles are replacing yesterday’s media. This trend is likely to continue long into the future as more and more emphasis is placed upon the environmental impact of media such as PVC. Polyester fabrics can of course be recycled meaning that the raw material has an extended life cycle reducing its environment impact.
The graphics produced using digital printing technologies can be achieved using a wider choice of digital fabric printing technologies. Perhaps one of the fastest growing sectors is dye-sublimation because of its environmental credentials and the scope to produce larger graphics that can now compete with other digital printing technologies.
The following table shows all the fabrics that fall in to the category of fabrics suitable for printing on fabric. Many of the fabrics are available in a choice of finishes including pure, Brook-7, Flame Retardant (FR) and Brook-7 FR. Some products are only available as a FR option and are identified as such. Certain fabrics can also be FR treated to order, please enquire. Where weights are given this is for guidance only.
| Digital Fabric Printing Products | ||
|---|---|---|
| Display 220g | Textured Poly 205g | Knitted Poly 160g |
| Knitted Poly 125g | Knitted Poly 115g | Knitted Poly 85g |
| Airmesh 120g | Endurance 115g | Voile FR 35g |
| Metallic Lurex??? | Mesh FR 255g | Sharkstooth FR 135g |
| Knitted Poly Satin 135g | White Woven Blackout FR 250g | Woven Backlight FR 250g |
| Heraldic 200g | Ripstop Polyester FR 49g | Ripstop Nylon FR 65g |
| Sailcloth FR 170g | Airtex FR 260g | Digital Canvas FR 300g |
| Artists Canvas 500g | Artists Canvas 300g | Fibreglass FR 240g |
View and download technical data sheets >
A slightly heavier option for flags and banners of all descriptions. Excellent results when printed dye-sublimation paper-to-textile and direct-to-textile enabling good strong colours and graphics
Artists Canvas 500g is a heavy high quality traditional woven canvas. Versatile it’s uses including stretch-frame art reproduction, café barriers, luggage goods and many other uses. Usually printed dye-sublimation paper-to-textile but also with UV curable inks
Ideal for internal front lit applications this fabric has a dense woven construction producing remarkable results. Usually dye sublimation printed direct to textile or paper transfer for the brightest possible colours. The inter-woven black middle layer allows double-sided graphics if required
