Digital textile printing

The latter is a growing trend in visual communication, where advertisement and corporate branding is printed onto polyester media.

The intended use of the fabric is the most important starting point to identify exactly what's needed to produce a specific end-product.

A ‘textile’ product may vary from natural yarns for garments, through to synthetic fibers for flags and banners.

It can be a carpet, back-lit frame, curtain, room divider, building wrap, bed cover, a garment and much more.

In northern Europe, polyspun material has been the choice of fabric for traditional flag printing.

In turn, the type of ink chemistry needs to fit requirements for the media (such as polyester, nylon, cotton, silk).

Based on the media and ink combination, the choice comes for infra-red fixation, heat-press sublimation or steaming.

Print speed doesn't account for much if a large portion is being thrown away as waste due to incompatibility of media, ink, treatment or lack of know-how.

Where sign-makers are familiar with a single process system, traditional textile printing is accustomed to several production steps.

Additionally, the impact on business by legislation and requests from customers with regard to environmentally friendly products, are increasingly becoming a factor.

The worldwide digital textile printing market for garment, home décor and industrial applications is experiencing strong growth of around 34% CAGR to 2019.