TWO STEPS FORWARD: RASPBERRY CREEK FABRICS PATENTS A UNIQUE PROCESS FOR DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING
“Our biggest problem was how time-consuming it was to process files. Looking at the orders at the end of the day, you might see, for example, five yards to print on cotton jersey, three yards of swimwear with sunflowers… basically a hundred orders a day with a half a yard here, three yards there and 30 different fabric types with many different patterns to print. It was a total nightmare We were running two full shifts a day.” - Justin Rammell - Raspberry Creek Fabrics
Guest post written by Cary Sherburne What They Think
Utah-based Raspberry Creek Fabrics recently received a patent for unique web-to-print software for roll-to-roll fabric printing which automates the step-and-repeat process in a way that creates the smallest possible file, speeding the printing process. Senior editor Cary Sherburne talked to co-founder Justin Rammell about the process.
In July 2020, in the heart of the pandemic, Utah-based Raspberry Creek Fabrics implemented automation into its fabric printing process to streamline operations and increase profitability.
Now the company has gone a step further, receiving a patent for a unique web-to-print software for roll-to-roll fabric printing. This automates the step-and-repeat process in a way that creates the smallest possible file, speeding the printing process for a company that prints thousands of step-and-repeat designs on more than 30 different fabric types with orders ranging from a half a yard to more than 100 yards.
Co-founder Justin Rammell sat down with WTT to explain the process:
WhatTheyThink: So remind us how you, as an attorney in the oil and gas business, got into fabrics in the first place.
Justin Rammell: My wife, Diana, grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, and she loves to sew her own clothes. She has even sewn her own swimsuits. But when she went to the fabric store looking for fabrics for her projects, she could not find anything that met her needs.
She said, “I want cute prints for my kids and I want to sew.”
And so she started doing some designs; we had them screen printed, and she started selling on Etsy and it kind of took off. That was about 10 years ago. In April of 2017, we bought a Kornit Allegro and started doing our own printing. And then we added an EFI Reggiani NEXT dye-sublimation printer for polyesters. We also purchased a Zund cutter.
WTT: That’s a pretty impressive portfolio. When we spoke a couple years ago, you talked about the process you went through to automate your production, and it sounded like that was going pretty well. What issues did you continue to have that drove the solution you have now patented, which was published as U.S.11275532 B1?
JR: Our biggest problem was how time-consuming it was to process files. Looking at the orders at the end of the day, you might see, for example, five yards to print on cotton jersey, three yards of swimwear with sunflowers… basically a hundred orders a day with a half a yard here, three yards there and 30 different fabric types with many different patterns to print. It was a total nightmare We were running two full shifts a day.
WTT: So how did you approach finding a resolution?
JR: We needed to figure out a way to step and repeat files that had already been ripped in order to reduce the processing time. We talked with many of the best-known printer and RIP manufacturers, and they all said they could do this, but they were not able to deliver. All of them wanted to do the imposition of the images up front, but that creates a huge file that takes forever to RIP – like a 200-gigabyte file for 10 yards of a print. It’s just a mess. In many of their installations, that process works since they are printing 200+ yards at a time of the same pattern, but when you have 200 orders a day ranging from half a yard to who knows what, it’s just not feasible.
WTT: So what happened next?
JR: I had an idea for a software patent, and I talked it over with a cousin in the software business out in San Francisco. She discouraged me, saying it was really difficult to get a software patent these days with the Supreme Court tightening the rules. But she did introduce us to a top patent law firm in Washington D.C., and while they couldn’t give us any guarantees, they were willing to try. And they were able to get the patent published on March 15, in about eight months.
WTT: That’s incredible. So tell us what this process does.
JR: So what we do is send one repeat of the pattern through the RIP. After it comes out of the RIP in the smallest possible size, we intercept the file and insert the customer order information as XML code. When the file hits the printer, the printer workstation reads the XML code and knows it needs to step and repeat the file for 50 yards or whatever the amount is. So instead of trying to push a 200 gigabyte 10-yard file through, we are putting a two-megabyte file through, because at that stage, doing the step-and-repeat process doesn’t take any computer resources at all.
WTT: But then how are you managing the orders so you aren’t constantly changing out fabric types?
JR: The beauty of this process is that the printer operator has a dashboard and can see, for example, that they have 1,000 yards to print, and they need to do 100 yards of it in cotton jersey. All of the jobs are pre-ripped and just waiting in the cloud, so they push print for 100 yards of cotton jersey. That’s all they have to do. The jobs come in from the web into hot folders and into the print queue, and they print automatically one after the other.
Another nice feature of the software is that each file prints a header with our logo, the customer name and order number. That’s been a big advantage, because before, the printer would spit out, for example, five yards of a sunflower print, and when it got to fulfillment, they were never quite sure what to do with it. So now, there are two or three wire racks for every day of orders. They are organized by order number and the fulfillment people know exactly where each one goes because each print is labeled.
WTT: In addition to faster print production, the streamlining in fulfillment must make a big cycle time difference as well.
JR: Absolutely. Actually, we had two fulfillment people quit, life changes – one went to college and the other relocated because of her husband’s job. And we didn’t need to hire anyone to replace them. Not only do we now have less staff, we are down from two shifts to one and shipping out a higher volume of orders. We are a husband-and-wife team with about eight employees, and we generate all of our designs ourselves. We need all of the efficiencies we can get.
WTT: Is there anything else this process is enabling for the business?
JR: Yes. We are introducing “Artist Studios” so that any designer can upload images to our website to sell for a royalty. The system is in testing now and will go live in a few weeks. They will have full control over their designs, see the customer order information, track sales, and get paid automatically through PayPal. Their page will have their profile pic and social media information.
WTT: Who did the software development for you?
JR: We hired a couple different outfits to do different aspects of the development. But the core coding was done by Mitko Medev. He didn’t know anything about fabric or ripping, but he is a really smart guy. We paid him as a contractor, but I also put his name on the patent since he was so integral to the success of the process. We wanted to give him that recognition. Another friend of mine, who is a software developer, looked at the code and remarked how elegant it was. The end result is this web-to-print software where nobody has to touch a file.
WTT: What’s next for Raspberry Creek?
JR: Right now we are printing natural fibers with Kornit systems because of the trouble involved with pre- and post-treatment. We have been experimenting with different inks and processes to treat in-house. We are still looking for at different options right now, so if any of your readers have ideas, they could reach out.
We are also going to start doing more cutting. So for example, a customer who’s making a hoodie can order the pattern printed in their size with the design they want, and then we can cut it and send them the pieces for sewing. We can place the cutting marks in our files, and we have automation in place that allows us to integrate cutting.
The nice thing about this automation system we have in place is that it is scalable. So we could put a printer anywhere in the world and plug it into our system to do automated printing. I believe that will help us break into the home textile market.
About Cary Sherburne
Cary Sherburne is a well-known author, journalist and marketing consultant whose practice is focused on marketing communications strategies for the printing and publishing industries.
Cary Sherburne is available for speaking engagements and consulting projects. To get more information contact us. Please offer your feedback to Cary. She can be reached at cary@whattheythink.com.
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The European digital wallcovering marketplace is expanding at an impressive rate.
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Pointcarre, a leading provider of AI-powered textile CAD software, has highlighted its new AI-driven image upscaling feature designed to help textile designers restore and enlarge low-resolution pattern files without compromising design integrity.
The new capability addresses one of the most persistent challenges in the textile industry: working with legacy or low-quality design assets.
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Birmingham, UK – September 2026 – Epson UK & Ireland will be exhibiting at The Print Show 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 29 September to 1 October 2026.
Visitors can find Epson at Stand S130, where the company will present live demonstrations of its latest professional printing technologies across UV, Direct-to-Garment (DTG), Direct-to-Film (DTF), and flatbed printing.
Aarhus, DK & Milwaukee, WI — September 2, 2026 — FASTSEWN will showcase the next generation of its flatbed automated textile finishing at PRINTING United 2026 with the U.S. debut demonstration of its innovative full 3.3M width StitchNCut™ flatbed sewing and laser cutting solution.
This solution is designed specifically for high-volume production of Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG), pillowcase graphics, and other grand-format and industrial textile applications.
The centerpiece of the launch will be live remote demonstrations from FASTSEWN’s headquarters, where attendees will see the company’s full-size StitchNCut 3.3-meter automated flatbed sewing and laser cutting system producing finished SEG graphics and pillow graphics under real market-based production conditions.
Newtown PA – 11 August 2026 – Hybrid Software will showcase the technologies shaping the future of print production at PRINTING United Expo 2026. At booth C1371, visitors will see how artificial intelligence, GPU-native rendering, workflow automation and advanced colour management are improving productivity, quality and efficiency across print production.
Demonstrations will span the Hybrid Software Group portfolio, including Labels & Packaging, Brandz, Helix, Color, Xitron and Meteor Inkjet.
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Crewe , United Kingdom – September 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the exclusive distributor of Mimaki technology across the UK and Ireland, has confirmed that its dedicated Mimaki showroom remains open to visitors five days a week following the successful conclusion of its recent Demo Weeks event.
The Demo Weeks programme welcomed a wide range of visitors to the showroom, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the latest print technology, discover new ideas and advance their Mimaki journey.
With the event now complete, Hybrid Services is reminding those who were unable to attend that the showroom continues to operate on an ongoing basis.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, the Mimaki showroom houses an extensive range of technology spanning sign and graphics, industrial printing, textile and apparel, and 3D printing.
Braintree, Essex – 2 September 2026 – Venture Banners, a leading UK trade-only large-format print supplier, will highlight its expanding textile signage range, including its newest solutions, at The Print Show 2026, taking place from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC, Birmingham.
Hamamatsu, Japan – 2 September 2026 – Roland DG Corporation, the world's leading provider of wide-format digital printing solutions, today announced the launch of the TrueVis AG-640, a next-generation 64-inch latex printer/cutter that expands what's possible with latex printing.
Combining low running costs, high output quality, expanded colours, dense white ink, and integrated contour cutting, the AG-640 helps print professionals move beyond traditional latex limits to take on more profitable work with confidence
Leicester – UK – September 2nd 2026 - VeriVide have launched UltraView60, a new, compact, cost-effective colour assessment cabinet that expands the existing UltraView product range and makes its tuneable LED technology accessible to more organisations.
Developed as a lower cost entry into the UltraView range, UltraView60 gives businesses, who have limited space available, the opportunity to benefit from the features and colour assessment capabilities in VeriVide’s UltraView technology.
Anglesey – September 2026 – Nova Chrome UK, one of the UK's longest-standing suppliers of dye sublimation printing solutions, has announced it will exhibit at The Print Show, taking place at NEC Birmingham.
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Leicester UK – September 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has announced the delivery of its latest Veloblade Nexus cutting system this week, produced for Krit Patel and Printvision (UK) Ltd.
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Telford, UK – September 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd invites businesses considering an investment in new print equipment to experience a range of machines in action at its showroom, where prospective buyers can assess print quality, ask questions, and test their own materials before committing to a purchase.
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China Print Supplies is addressing this need by offering hands-on access to a selection of its latest demonstration machines, allowing customers to make informed decisions with confidence.
Clay Cross – August 2026 – Resolute DTF has announced it will take a prominent stand at The Print Show 2026, held at the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
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Comun Nuovo, Lombardy – September , 2026 – EFI has announced its EFI Reggiani pigment printing solutions, a suite of integrated digital technologies designed to help textile producers achieve faster turnaround, greater flexibility, and more sustainable production.
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Las Vegas, NV – August 2026 – Agfa will return to PRINTING United Expo 2026, one of the printing industry's most important events, to connect with print professionals from across North America and beyond.
The company will exhibit at Booths 1149 and 1161 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre from 23–25 September 2026.
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Geretsried, Bavaria, August 2026 – Rudolf has introduced RUCO®-THERM PCM BIO MFT, a bio-based textile finishing technology that brings intelligent thermoregulation to functional apparel, helping hikers stay comfortable as temperatures rise and fall on the trail.
London, UK – August 2026 – The Royal College of Art (RCA) has announced the launch of the fourth RCA x Design for Good Academy, an ambitious live online short course that, for the first time, will open its places to the public alongside Design for Good alliance members and RCA students.
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Las Vegas, NV – August 2026 – Sun Chemical today announced its participation in PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place 23-25 September 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.
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Peterborough – August 2026 – The addition of embroidery to Snuggle Ltd’s in-house embellishment services, united DTF, DTG, Sublimation, UV and embroidery under a single roof at its UK headquarters.
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Milan, Italy – 26 August 2026 – Viscom, the international event dedicated to technologies, applications and materials for visual communication and the graphic arts, has revealed the key themes shaping its 2026 Conference programme.
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Matthews – NC – August 2026 – Fisher Textiles has announced the launch of its Enviro-Tex® fabric line, a range of sustainable textiles crafted from post-consumer recycled PET bottles.
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Dubai, UAE – August 2026 – FESPA Middle East has announced FLEX, the FESPA Leadership Exchange, a landmark gathering of the print and signage industry's most influential decision-makers.
Taking place in Dubai, UAE, on 26 November 2026, the event will bring together the leaders shaping the future of the sector to exchange ideas, share perspectives and define the opportunities ahead.
As the market continues to evolve, FLEX responds to a clear need: the most valuable conversations happen among those driving change
Birmingham UK – August 2026 - Epson will showcase its latest ColorWorks colour-on-demand label printing solutions at PPMA Show 2026, taking place from 22–24 September at the NEC Birmingham.
Visitors to Epson’s stand (A54, Hall 5) will be able to discover how businesses can transform their labelling processes through in-house, full-colour label production that delivers greater flexibility, lower costs and reduced waste.
Paris, France – August 2026 – Optitex and NedGraphics will present their integrated design and manufacturing solutions at Première Vision Paris, taking place from 1st to 3rd September 2026 at Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte, France.
Visitors can find the companies at Booth 3L11 in Hall 3, Smart Creation Area.
The joint appearance marks a significant opportunity for textile brands and manufacturers to experience first-hand how NedGraphics and Optitex deliver a unified workflow — one that connects textile design, colour refinement, and end product development within a single, seamless process.
WILMINGTON, Del., August 2026 – – DuPont has announced that its Artistri® Digital Printing Solutions are driving the next era of industrial direct-to-film (DTF) printing, moving beyond ink innovation to tackle the process challenges that now define productivity at scale.
Porthmadog, Wales – August 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has completed the installation of its Razar print finishing system at Snowdonia Design & Print, marking the first Razar installation outside of England.
The milestone represents a significant step in the growing adoption of advanced, versatile finishing technology across the UK print sector.
Described as the "swiss army knife of print finishing", the Razar system brings a suite of high-precision capabilities to the Porthmadog-based printer
Sheffield, UK – Perfect Colours has been appointed the official UK distributor for Platinum Technologies International, the manufacturer formerly known as Liyu Technologies.
Announced in May at FESPA 2026, the partnership gives UK print businesses direct access to Platinum's full range of industrial large-format systems, backed by Perfect Colours' nationwide sales, installation, training, and engineering support.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Richmond, VA: Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce its plans for PRINTING United Expo 2026.
As Drytac continues its 50th anniversary celebrations, visitors will have the opportunity to experience new products, award-winning solutions and live applications across the show floor, highlighting five decades of expertise in adhesive science and coated media