“The fashion industry has been under fire for some time over its excessive carbon footprint and the pollution it generates. Now a new metric is being thrown into the mix: Traceability. In this article, we define traceability and cite several reports that paint a not-very-flattering picture of progress the industry is making.” - Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink

“Established over 45 years ago, an Italian company Emiliana Parati, based in the province of Cremona, operate from a manufacturing site totalling an area of 40,000 square metres. With on-site production and a talented design team they continue to push the boundaries of design and printed wallcoverings to new heights.”

“The global textiles industry accounts for an estimated 2% of emissions. Politicians and policymakers, are increasingly aware of the industry's environmental impact, leading to stricter regulations. Also consumers are becoming more eco-consciously and critical towards the industry’s environmental impact. As a result, print service providers are searching for sustainable solutions to reduce carbon footprint – without compromising print quality.” Guest Article wrriten by: Anne de Brouwer

“In the world of e-commerce, providing exceptional and personalized shopping experiences has become the must. Once, personalized offerings, intuitive user experience, and seamless returns were the hallmarks of a standout online store. Now, they are the expectations of modern consumers. To break through the noise, you need to go beyond these standards and offer something truly unique.” Print Logistic

“Natural resources are in short supply…bio-based substrates offer the digital textile printing industry significant potential for driving sustainability and environmental change, by reducing the industries environmental impact and restoring ecological balance. ” Debbie McKeegan for PIXEL to PARCEL

“The digitally printed wallpaper market size was valued at USD 2.71 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.2% from 2023 to 2030, which will see the global market grow to over USD 10.32 billion (Research & Markets)” FESPA Textile Ambassador”.

“Epson and Nakazato share a common goal: to promote a sustainable future by eliminating wasteful water and textile processes in fashion production. Through their joint efforts, they aim to revolutionise the industry and pave the way for more environmentally responsible practices.” Heather Kendle Manager, Product Management, Epson Europe BV

“As Earth continues to heat up, brands, retailers and consumers alike are looking for innovate cooling technologies for textiles and apparel, and there are a number of them already on the market. As we note in this article, however, this is very much a “buyer beware” market, as not all cooling fabrics appear to operate as promised. Read on to learn more…” - Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink

“On opposite sides of the world, governments are waking up to the challenges of controlling the Textile Industry, and of providing a transparent and effective regulatory system.  As yet, the pace is slow, but the direction of travel is apparent: To achieve safe and sustainable textile production coupled with extensive consumer information”.

“When I am sourcing new antique prints or curating new artwork collections, there are designs that I just know will be best sellers, that clients will snap up, and have been the designs that are loaned out again and again over the last decade. But why?” Cheryl O’Meara Print Pattern Archive

“The designer of the next decade must act as a solutions architect, crafting a product that is built to last or built to be repurposed, recycled, or remade. Its provenance should be transparent and both ethical and viable. Good design is after all the best architect for environmental balance. Mother nature taught us that. .” Debbie McKeegan for PIXEL to PARCEL

“Interior products fit perfectly into the on-demand model, and whilst their patterns and designs, and schemes might be visually complicated, the manufacturing route is much shorter and simpler than that of Apparel. Whatever product you might want to create, there is now almost certainly a digitally printed solution, and one that’s affordable and available locally, on-demand.” FESPA Textile Ambassador”.

“Growing concerns over sustainability in the printing sector have increased demand for digital textile printers. Digital textile printers offer design flexibility and faster production rates. As a result, they are being widely used globally. Key companies are looking to develop advanced printing equipment to expand their customer base.” Lead analyst at FMI

“Key market shifts have ensured that all stakeholders in the digital technology sector look to on-demand production as the future of print. To facilitate this technology needs to go beyond rotary, to build a seamless architecture that supports multiple textile industries of varying scales”.

“ITMA showcased many new technical advances for digital textile printing, behind each was AI (at varying degrees), moving to eventually offer the ability to control and measure the entire process of production. By intelligently and automatically fine tuning each jetted ink drop, faulty print head, ink formulation, to ensure the efficient use of design, materials, and product application, whilst conserving natural resources and energy usage” Debbie McKeegan for PIXEL to PARCEL

“In a textile printing market in which Digital Textile Printing is predicted to be worth over USD $8 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research), and where some experts believe that 25% of all printed textile production will be digital by 2040 - machinery makers, software houses and ink manufacturers have together, made 2023 a year to remember.In 2023, the most significant trend is the move to offering one-step digital textile, direct to fabric pigment printing across the marketplace, from industrial volume to SME’s of varying scales”.

Welcome to the Texintel Graduates 2023 interview series showcasing a snapshot of talent creatives emerging from University here in the UK. In todays episode we interview Sarah Mills a final year BA Textiles Design graduate from Birmingham City University winner of the Epson “Design in Context” Award. Sarah commented: “I've been on a mission to capture the breathtaking beauty of the British countryside and highlight the diverse wildlife that lives in it. I aim to design a commercial luxury interior collection of woven, etched, and printed fabrics in order to celebrate the beauty that is quickly becoming lost in our countryside. The outcome of the project aims to produce long-lasting luxury fabrics that could be applied to several products in the home, these consisting of curtains, wallpapers, lampshades, and cushions”.

“At this year’s London Fashion Week numerous notable pieces were created with digital print as designers chose to adopt more unique, colourful, and flexible ways to take their inspired work from imagination to catwalk. For many, the technology gave them the ability to make their designs stand out with personalisation and customisation. They were also able to adapt and change up or switch out ideas with greater immediacy for more dynamic collections.”

“Colour is defined by the designer at the beginning of the product cycle, and yet at that point, the designer usually doesn’t know how the product will be printed or onto what material. The designer may use multiple file formats all of which contain important information for the printer. Transposing this data into the correct language for printed output is a specialist skill.” Oliver Luedtke of ColorGATE for PIXEL to PARCEL