75 YEARS IN TEXTILE PRINT - HOW ELLEBI AND LARIOSETA EVOLVED ALONGSIDE EPSON DIGITAL TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY
“As digital technology has evolved, Ellebi have invested for success and have gradually over time and in-line with technical advances from Epson, switched to offer high volume digital production. The company now manufactures all digital production using Epson digital textile printing equipment. They have multiple generations of Monna Lisa machines, all of which have served them well producing many thousands of metres of beautiful fabrics over the years.”
The brands Ellebi & Larioseta form a luxury textile printing company, based just south of Como, Italy.
Founded in 1945, by Eugenio Barbieri the company remains a family business to this day and has over the years grown into a vibrant business that’s world renowned for textile excellence, providing high quality printing onto beautiful fabrics alongside high quality design.
With over 75 years of experience, the company holds an extensive archive of production knowledge, alongside a vast archive of vintage designs. With a loyal customer base, ranking amongst which are many of the worlds’ luxury brands, their customers value Ellebi’s expertise, creative vision and their reputation for premium print.
Founded in 1945, initially using flat-bed printing, the company has transitioned as technology has evolved and is renowned for their beautiful, printed silk scarves and accessories which are sold worldwide. In 1974, the business relocated to a purpose-built factory in Como. Here they expanded production to increase capacity and their business grew further to serve premium clients in the US, Europe and the UK. These were the days of high-volume production in the West, and the company enjoyed many years of success.
In the late 90’s across the globe printed production began to switch to the East.
Across many continents, this momentous market shift, decimated the local manufacturing communities but at Ellebi – it was once again time to innovate and to switch production capacity in line with market demands.
With a reputation for premium quality – Ellebi held onto their market share by evolving to offer premium quality, printed fabrics with provenance. Italian textiles, deservedly, have a strong reputation for quality and when twinned with premium design and production, the company had a winning value proposition.
Ellebi then looked to alternate technology to secure a new future which would allow them to react to their clients’ needs at speed, whilst retaining high quality production.
Their journey into digital textile printing began – and as early investors they have pioneered new technologies in collaboration with Epson.
Purchasing their first Monna Lisa digital printing machine from Epson in 2007 the company have over the last 14 years built an impressive digital textile printing facility in the heart of Italy’s textile district.
As digital technology has evolved, Ellebi have invested for success and have gradually over time and in-line with technical advances from Epson, switched to offer high volume digital production. The company now manufactures all digital production using Epson digital textile printing equipment. They have multiple generations of Monna Lisa machines, all of which have served them well producing many thousands of metres of beautiful fabrics over the years.
During this time the markets for printed textiles have evolved yet again.
Customers now demand personalised, customised production at variable volumes – on demand. Lead times are now days, not weeks, as the market shifts in-line with consumer demand and AI buying behaviours. The speed with which design and orders are originated continues to accelerate, and the reactive speed of the manufacturer is absolute in this process.
It’s a tribute to the early vision and Ellebi’s management team and their pioneering innovation, that the company are now perfectly placed to serve the ever-evolving textile marketplace. With an esteemed knowledge and textile legacy, their production facility now manufactures some 12,000m of printed textiles per day. The factory has evolved with digital technology, and the ancillary machinery (pre and post-production) required for volume production has been adapted and developed over the years to assure technical efficiency.
Going further, Ellebi have also continually invested in a sustainable future.
The facility has its own water source, which is protected, and all water is cleaned post use and returned to the water table. Energy too is efficient – the site holds many solar panels which generate some, but not all, of the electricity required. The remainder is supplied by a purpose-built generator onsite. Steam and heat, generated during manufacturing, are also harnessed throughout the site to ensure that the facility is as efficient and environmentally responsible as possible.
Ellebi’s manufacturing facility is built to secure a successful future.
It is a shining example of technology utilised in parallel with market demands and signposts a new future for the Textile industry. A future that is vibrant, efficient and sustainable.
Equipped with access to the latest technologies Ellebi’s customers can thrive. Volumes can be adapted at speed to meet sales and drive new growth organically. Volume stock is no longer required, by working closely with Ellebi, printed production can be fine-tuned to meet sales on-demand.
Ellebi’s commission printing business supports both large, luxury brands and small entrepreneurial business around the world. Digital technologies and the availability of on-demand production have democratised the Apparel marketplace which is evolving at pace. New creatives and established designers have also adapted alongside technology - as can be seen in the variety and growth of fashion brands now trading online.
Investing in ecommerce, Ellebi also offer a wide selection of beautiful, printed scarves and accessories for sale online, under the brand name Larioseta. Here designers can also access the extensive design archive for commission printing and tailor designs to suit their own brand identity and audience.
As leading supplier of luxury printed textiles, Ellebi have successfully harnessed their textile heritage, and industry knowledge, to redefine a new future for the textile industry. In doing so - securing the future of their family, employees and the Como textile district.
