Evidence of printing on fabric can be found dating back as far as 5,000BC on cloth discovered in Egyptian tombs. However these printed artefacts were printed using what can be considered very primitive technologies. Such technologies included block printing using images engraved onto wood or stone blocks for example.
From these somewhat humble beginnings we now have what is a highly technologically advanced industry that continues to develop at a pace. As these technologies have developed so has the choice of fabrics to, as modern digital printing machines become more capable of printing onto modern synthetic fabrics. This has opened an ever-wider choice of opportunities not seen before.
Taking many different forms printing on fabric is gaining in popularity as fabrics replace the conventional fabrics of yesterday. Polyester fabrics in particular are proving highly sought after often as the first choice substrate. With so many printing technologies to choose from print buyers can decide which gives the very best results in terms of brightness of colour, detail, speed and of course value.
The trend and appetite for printing on fabric using digital print technologies will continue to grow long into the future. Print buyers today are very much aware of the environmental impact of PVC and actively seek suitable alternatives. Major retailers and large corporate companies are also acutely aware of their companies’ impact on the environment and strive to minimise this impact. This is partly being driven and influenced by consumers; whether direct or indirect, choosing to buy goods or services from companies that demonstrate a genuine environmental conscience.
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.
| Printing on Fabric Products | ||
|---|---|---|
| Display 220g | Textured Poly 205g | Knitted Poly 160g |
| Knitted Poly 125g | Knitted Poly 115g | Knitted Poly 85g |
| Airmesh 120g | Endurance 115g | Poly Suede 250g |
| Voile FR 35g | Metallic Lurex??? | Mesh FR 255g |
| Sharkstooth FR 135g | Knitted Poly Satin 135g | Satin Opaque 390g |
| Heavy Satin FR 230g | Woven Satin 125g | White Woven Blackout FR 250g |
| Woven Backlite FR 250g | Heraldic 200g | Woven Flag 155g |
| Taffeta Flag 65g | Ripstop Polyester FR 49g | Risptop Nylon FR 65g |
| Sailcloth FR 170g | Airtex FR 260g | Polyester Matt 190g |
| Rollerblind 120g | Lightweight Canvas 245g | Digital Canvas FR 300g |
| Artists Canvas 500g | Artists Canvas 300g | Fibreglass FR 240g |
View and download technical data sheets >
The holes in it’s construction of this fabric allows the free passage of air through the otherwise solid construction. A great fabric for feather or beech flags. Available in a choice of width options giving great choices for printing
This is the heaviest knitted flag fabric available for demanding applications where increased durability is required. This fabric can be printed by many different methods including dye sublimation producing excellent results when printed direct to textile or paper transfer
Digital Canvas FR is a optic white traditional canvas fabric producing stunning results when printed dye-sublimation or even with UV curable inks. Often used for theatrical stage backdrops, retail and exhibition graphics
