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solutions specialist, Neenah Coldenhove; and digital disposing of unsold items. Where recent geopolitical
events have highlighted the fragility of global supply
cutting equipment provider, Summa – Mimaki was
Cover Story garments live on the stand during the tradeshow, from these systems, empowering garment manufac-
chains, microfactories offer a unique independence
able to produce a collection of unique, high-quality
demonstrating to visitors from more than 100 coun-
turers to future-proof their businesses, become less
reliant on external systems and suppliers, and reduce
tries some of the key reasons that microfactories
the risk of disruptions.
seem set to change the future of fashion…
Unparalleled speed and versatility A boosted bottom line and a greener future
Where traditionally, apparel manufacturing has Facilitating savings in a whole line of resources, from
centred on a production chain model of sourcing physical storage and production space to time and
materials and producing garments in bulk, microfac- energy, microfactories ultimately have the potential to
tories are now enabling on-demand, on-location significantly increase profitability for garment manu-
production, making it possible to create everything facturers, with the additional benefit of being easily
from unique, one-off pieces and samples right scalable as production increases. Perhaps even more
through to entire product lines – all at unprecedented compelling, however, are the environmental consider-
speeds. This means greater flexibility and customisa- ations. Demonstrated on a small scale through
tion, enabling designers to modify or update designs Mimaki’s recent project, the environmental benefits
and respond to market trends as they occur. inherent to microfactory production will have an even
greater impact as it becomes more prolific and
Simplified supply chains and minimised risk commonplace throughout the fashion world, with the
The microfactory setup brings production in-house potential to effect meaningful environmental change
and on-demand, minimising the cost of not only as adoption increases in the years to come. In short,
storing stock, but also of shipping it and responsibly watch this space!

Author: Mark Sollman

Product Manager EMEA, Mimaki Europe

Mark Sollman begun his role as Product Manager at
Mimaki Europe in July 2021. In this role, he is responsible
for product marketing activities, product launches, sales
support and sales training.
Sollman has been working with Mimaki for over 15 years
and as such, he has an extensive knowledge of the
business and its diverse product portfolio.
Prior to joining Mimaki Europe in 2007, Mark Sollman held
With the all-important COP26 Climate Change production enter the fashion arena, with the increas- Last year’s FESPA saw Mimaki team up with fashion threaded throughout, the microfactory also exclusive- experience in the graphic art industry, working in different
Conference having taken centre stage in November, ing emergence of technologically advanced, highly designer Carolina Guzman to bring her designs to life ly utilised eco-friendly Greentex fabric, and any print service providers, De Groot & Klein and Claack
there is no time like the present for the fashion world automated microfactories. in real time at the show, setting up its own working remaining material was donated to Sheltersuit: a Screenprint Amsterdam.
to rally together in stepping up sustainability efforts microfactory live on-site to take her designs from wind- and waterproof coat that can be transformed
and getting carbon emissions under control. Globally, Along with reducing unnecessary waste through screen to garment within just a day. Guzman’s into a sleeping bag, which is provided free of charge
the fashion industry is now estimated to account for on-demand production, microfactories have a smaller designs were created using Mimaki’s TS100-1600 to homeless people and refugees.
around 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and ecological footprint than traditional garment produc- Sublimation Printer, before being transferred to textile,
20 percent of wastewater, making the pursuit of tion and require no water use during the production digitally cut and finally pieced together. Devised with Through working with a number of strategic partners
greener production methods more pertinent than ever process, making it not only a faster solution, but a a string of ethical and environmental objectives – including transfer printing expert, Klieverik; paper
before. Thankfully, we are seeing a new era of greener one too.
January/February 2022