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and are changing their business models, with a wall and ceiling hangings, room dividers, furniture
growing focus on the production of small order and decorative objects using customised textile
volumes through to one-off pieces. designs. And that requires robust digital printing
technologies as well as a shift in manufacturing model.
Advances in the digital printing of textiles is the
enabling factor in making this happen. Do you want Changing the Business Model
your family room drapes to carry the logo of your But changing the business model comes with a
child’s sports team? It can be done quickly, price. Van den Broek explains, “Keeping up with the
economically and with very high quality. Need to changes while earning money in this business is not
change that as your child moves to university? No a simple matter. Large print shops need to adjust to
problem, we can handle that, too. these new challenges. Sales models must be
modified. Management information systems between
According to Ronald van den Broek, General shops, design studios, production, accounting,
Manager Sales EMEA at digital printer manufacturer logistics and shipping departments must be
Mimaki, mass customisation of textile-based home adapted. The profit margins are traditionally low in
goods is becoming a reality that is accessible to just home textiles. Any firms producing large volumes that
about everyone. The key to effective mass end up selling warehouse stocks at a discount aren't
customisation is the ability to deliver an increase in going to make any profit. Digital textile printing makes
variety without a corresponding increase in costs. It is it possible to produce and sell products precisely
a collaborative effort between consumers and aligned with customer requirements, on demand or
manufacturers, delivering the best match between to a limited inventory.”
individual specific consumer needs and the
manufacturer’s customisation capabilities. And in Digital textile printing presents designers with
most cases, delivering against these consumer significant challenges, as well as opportunities. In
expectations requires digitally printed textiles. traditional processes, prints were designed for use
across an extended period and for high print
“We often think about home textiles coming to us volumes. Conversely, digital textile printing offers a
from the Asian market,” van den Broek says, “more considerably higher level of flexibility. This makes it
specifically, China. But in actual fact, although China possible to respond in the short term to new fast
is the most important producer of home textiles, in fashion trends, as well as to individual consumer
particular, rugs and bedding, the demand for these requests. This has a significant impact on textile
goods is so high in China itself that only 1% of its designers, demanding much more creativity.
production is exported. From 2009 to 2013, in fact,
the imports of home textiles into China have risen Inks: The New Frontier innovation, I believe, will open the flood gates to a water usage and contamination. With
annually by 20%!” Until now, a significant barrier has been ink – digitally broad range of new opportunities.” specially-designed Mimaki inks, this process results
printed textiles need to feature vibrant colours with a The table below reflects the most commonly in deep blacks, excellent durability and a broad
What is coming together, then, is the demand for broad colour gamut, good washability, durability over requested fabric types and the inks best suited colour gamut. Inks are available in CMYK, light black,
more customised home textiles and the shift in time, and a nice feel to the fabric. There is also a for each. light cyan, light magenta, as well as pink and yellow
supply chain dynamics for these materials. This is requirement to print on all types of textiles with
opening new market opportunities in the European minimal impact to the environment. This is the Holy
and North American markets for personalised or Grail for digital textile printing, and although the
customised home textiles produced at or near the industry is not all the way there yet, progress is being
For years, textile-based home goods have been personalised or individualised textiles, with short point of need and with short cycle times. Van den made. Van den Broek states, “The available reactive
mass produced. It surely is a huge business: in 2015, delivery times. They want to make their homes truly Broek believes demand for mass customisation in inks for inkjet printing remain the leading technology
consumers in the Netherlands alone spent their own, expressing their personalities, passions home textiles is also being driven by changes in for home textiles. However, there is a new generation
approximately 1.5 billion euros on home textiles. and beliefs. post-war families, with parents born between 1945 of pigmented inks on the horizon for which a case
These goods have traditionally been selected from and 1970. These people are retiring or their children can be made. Sublimation technology is also
mass-produced designs placed into the market by Interior designers are increasingly aware of the both are moving out of the home. Their children are setting improving and is an alternative for the digital printing
manufacturers, and this model has been accepted by the opportunity to provide unique designs to clients up new households and are buying new bedclothes, of home textiles. Digital printing presses are Sublimation Dye fluorescents that are ideal for sportswear
the public because there really wasn’t any alternative. and the technology that is making this economically carpets, curtains and much more. They are likely to becoming faster and the print quality continues to Sublimation inks are designed to work best with applications. These inks are increasingly popular for
But as with so many other areas of our lives, the feasible, even for individual homeowners. Textile want more customised choices for these goods. And rise. In addition, print shops and service providers polyester-based textiles and can be used in two production of customised upholstery and other
digital revolution is changing that: consumers want printers are already adapting to these requirements the parents may follow suit as they update their own are developing workflows that enable home textiles to ways: directly on the polyester material or by printing interior textiles.
homes. This includes the ability to coordinate textile be produced more cost-effectively. This wave of on a sublimation paper and using a heat press or
calendar to transfer the inks. Unlike conventional For the first time at the recent FESPA show, Mimaki
dyeing, no washing is required, thus reducing both showed its new high-speed direct-to-textile

November/December 2017 November/December 2017

Tiger-1800B printer using sublimation inks and sold Dual Ink Systems for Even More Flexibility
the printer off the show floor to a Spanish textile And now, digital textile manufacturers can have even
company. Not only does this printer deliver high more flexibility with Mimaki direct-to-textile printers
speeds with great quality, but its robust software RIP that can load both pigment and sublimation inks,
also makes colour substitute possible -- when the enabling the use of a single printer to print directly on
printed colour differs from that expected, the colour a wide range of textiles without the need to change
substitution function enables users to quickly and out ink systems. Mimaki’s Tx300P-1800 and
easily obtain a colour closer to the target. Tx300P-1800B direct-to-textile printers are unique in
offering this capability. Van den Broek adds, “It
Reactive Dye inks means that producers can switch fabric types quickly
These inks are suitable for printing on natural fibres and easily, selecting the appropriate ink system for
such as cotton, silk and wool. This also requires a each fabric. And these inks do not require usage of
printer with a belt transport system that flattens the water or steaming in the post-treatment process,
fabric, making it possible to more easily print on making them environmentally sustainable as well.”
material that stretches. Mimaki reactive dye inks are These and other innovations in digital textile printing
designed to produce deep, bright colours in the are also making it easier for interior and fashion
complete gamut of shades which are required for the designers to bring work in-house that might
home and outdoor segments and meet automotive otherwise have been outsourced, giving them greater
lightfastness standards. control over the process and speeding time to market.
Acid inks Soft Signage and Flags
Acid inks are very similar to reactive inks. Digital printing of textiles is also driving growth in the
Pre-treatment and after-treatment are both required. soft signage and flag printing industry. Here, too,
The process is the same, but these inks require a customisation is a growing requirement. And there’s
different pre-treatment liquid. Acid inks from Mimaki a shift towards printing in a more environmentally
offer good wet-fastness and lightfastness, delivering conscious way, which results in many producers
the broad colour gamut and brilliant colours that the moving to use more water-based inks and textile
textile industry demands. signage. Textile signage has the advantage of less
weight and the ability to fold for shipping, reducing
Dispersion dye those costs, which also contributes to its smaller
These inks are designed for printing with excellent environmental footprint.
lightfastness and outstanding build-up on polyester
and micro-polyester. They are ideal for sportswear, Looking Ahead
curtains, home and outdoor textiles and the Mimaki has been a key player in the digital textile
automotive industry. A heater or steamer fixes the printing industry and is dedicated to applying its
dye, and is followed by a reduction cleaning process extensive knowledge and expertise to providing the
that creates the deep shade. Following a chemical best solutions for digital printing on textiles. Van den
bath, first hot air and then cold water are applied. Broek concludes, “We are focused on developing
new inks for each application that will reduce costs,
Textile Pigment ink maintain or improve quality and make digital textile
The advantage to this ink is that there is no need for printing more environmentally friendly. This, we
steaming, washing and cleaning, reducing the cost believe, will speed up the adoption of digital textile
and environmental impact. But the technology is not printing and open the market to a variety of new
quite there yet to achieve the same results that can applications and opportunities.”
be achieved with other inks. We are working to
develop a binder or primer that will improve the More details about Mimaki products, including its full
durability and colour gamut. range of printers and inks, can be found at
www.mimakieurope.com