Big Picture - November/December 2017 - 20

A DV E R T I S E M E N T

OPPORTUNITIES IN DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING

D

igital textile printing has continued
to advance primarily in the
exhibition, P-O-P, and hospitality
industries, and all expectations point
to sustained growth: A report by Smithers
Pira, a market research, consulting, and testing
firm, forecasts an average annual growth rate
of 12.3 percent and expects the global market
to more than double in value in the next five
years ("The Future of Digital Textile Printing to
2021," December 2016).
Soft signage is widely utilized in the
exhibit industry because it is lightweight and
easily rolled and packaged, making it more
economical to produce and ship, as well as
contributing to a reduction in greenhouse
emissions due to the reduced shipping
weights and packing dimensions. Furthermore,
soft signage can be more durable than many
hard surface applications. This transition to
soft signage was evident at the recent SGIA
Expo, where the vast majority of overhead
signage, plus many exhibit structures, used
fabric as the substrate.
Soft signage is also attractive for retailers
and brand managers for promotional graphics.
It can be used to produce wind sails, dancers,
and other attention-grabbing applications that
are also easy to handle and more economical
to ship. Canvas and some poly fabrics can be
used to produce outdoor applications using
existing solvent/eco-solvent printers. Retailers
are taking a closer look at how silicone-edge
(SEG) soft signage can help them react quickly
to promotional changes because they can be
installed by store personnel.
The ability to produce soft signage can
also open the door for print service providers
to acquire new business, such as custom
décor for the hospitality industry and interior
décor and environmental graphics for office
lobbies, medical treatment rooms, hotel guest
suites, etc. Wallcoverings, wallpaper, flooring
and mats, curtains, upholstery, wall art, and
bed coverings can all be produced digitally.

More than Dye Sub
While the majority of digital textile production is
on wide-format printers designed specifically for
these tasks, other ink technologies can also be
used depending on the material and application.
Transfer dye sublimation is the most popular
process, printed to economical transfer paper
first. This process enables users to sublimate to
any polyester textile or polyester-coated hard
substrate. The resulting print displays sharp
colors and clear images.
Direct-to-textile printing using textile
pigment, disperse dye, reactive dye, or acid
dye inks (all substrate-dependent) is becoming
popular in the interior décor and hospitality
industries, particularly when using direct
textile printing systems in 126-inch widths to
produce full panels for bed coverings, window
treatments, and wall décor without the need
for seaming.
Eco-solvent ink is the most versatile ink
and is widely used for outdoor durable
signage, graphics, and specialty applications
such as textile transfers. An overlaminate can
help colors pop.
UV ink is compatible with most close-woven
fabrics such as canvas. It is also widely used in
roll-based models to print onto media such as

vinyl for exhibition graphics. Some UV inks for
roll-based printers offer flexibility of up to 170
percent, making this an alternative solution for
some soft signage applications.

Growth Potential for All Business Types
Across the board, there is a re-emergence in
wide-format business opportunities available
due to the increased availability of specialty
application fabrics designed for high fashion,
performance apparel, and industrial textiles.
With an increasing selection of fabrics, there
are new and emerging markets that are open to
this technology.
There are opportunities for all involved in
the visual communications industry to grow
their business and increase profitability with
digital textile or fabric printing. One-off or
short run fabric printing using a direct-print
process to enhance promotional campaigns is
now an easily achievable and highly profitable
way to expand business opportunities.
Mimaki USA
mimakiusa.com
info@mimakiusa.com
888-530-4021
http://www.mimakiusa.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Big Picture - November/December 2017
