TEXTILE PRINTING In this feature, Jonathan Pert gathers insights from across the textile printing market, offering advice on hardware, materials, and finishing options for businesses which are looking to integrate textile print into their existing operations ENTERING THE MODERN TEXTILE MARKET As the textile printing industry continues to evolve, print service providers (PSPs) are increasingly looking for new opportunities to diversify and expand their service offerings. Adding textile printing capabilities can open doors to a wide range of lucrative markets from fashion and home décor to promotional products and beyond. In this feature, we’ve gathered expert insights from across the market, offering advice for businesses looking to integrate textile print options to their existing operations. Whether you're considering hardware, materials, or finishing, we will navigate some essential tips for success in this rapidly growing sector. Sustainable Solutions For Phil McMullin, head of sales for Commercial and Industrial Printing at Epson UK, it is important to consider more than just the base cost of a textile printer. McMullin stresses: “It is very important to consider a textile printer’s total cost of ownership (TCO) before determining which textile printer to buy.” McMullin also outlines choice of ink, maintenance, labour required, energy consumption, software updates, and potential repairs over the printer's lifespan as all being important to consider. “All these factors” he says, “can significantly impact the overall cost of an operation and its carbon footprint.” But McMullin also highlights the importance of weighing up these cost factors with the environmental credentials of the machine. As he puts it: “Striking a balance between environmental responsibility and economic viability is a challenge now faced by organisations globally, whatever their size and industry.” For those companies wishing to meet modern environmental credentials, it is important to choose a manufacturer that focuses on technological advancements that can increase efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. Epson’s Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric press range is engineered to work with a wide variety of substrates including silk, jacquard fabrics, and denim. The solutions utilise Epson’s own advanced PrecisionCore printhead technology, developed to provide high accuracy and speed. Epson’s recent launch of the Monna Lisa ML-16000JQ enables DTF doublesided printing on jacquard fabrics. The solution aims to meet the needs of fashion designers looking to enhance their creativity by integrating print designs with intricate woven patterns. Jacquard fabric features woven designs rather than a printed or embroidered pattern. The new Monna Lisa can automatically recognise fabric designs and produce DTF prints on them – aiming to circumvent the laborious elements of traditional jacquard production. 60 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk May / June 2025 - Issue 354
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