Epson Research Asserts That The Thames Would Be Emptied 15 Times Over As UK Wardrobes Soak Up 35 Trillion Litres Of Water
Image By Courtesy of EPSON
New Pan-European research by Epson has revealed that 35 trillion litres of water – the equivalent to draining the River Thames fifteen times over – is needed to produce the combined number of clothes in UK wardrobes.
Launched ahead of fashion week season, the first-of-its-kind study found that over 634,510 litres of water is required – across production, finishing and dyeing – to create the garments owned by the average British consumer.
According to the findings, Portuguese wardrobes have the highest water footprint per person (817,131 litres) followed by Italy (723,744 litres) and Poland (715,266 litres).
The UK ranked seventh but were the least likely to have heard of the term ‘water footprint’. Two-thirds (62%) of Brits have never thought about how their clothes get their colour.
Amongst the worst wardrobe offenders were jeans using up to 18,000 litres of water, and sweaters using 14,000 litres.
The dyeing process for a jacket typically requires over 3,300 litres – almost half of the water needed to produce the garment.
To show how innovation can tackle fashion’s ‘water footprint’ problem, Epson has collaborated with leading sustainability designer and authority on pattern, PATTERNITY, to create ‘Water Silks’, a collection of EcoVero™ silk scarves inspired by the rivers and canals of Europe’s style capitals.
Printing with digital printers that use pigment inks, such as Epson’s innovative Monna Lisa, can reduce water consumption in the colour printing stage of clothing production by up to 97%.
While fabric production uses the most water, significant amounts are also used during dyeing.
Water Silks re-imagines the Thames [London], Seine [Paris], Navigli [Milan] and Spree [Berlin] to serve as a reminder of the intimate relationship between our environment and the clothes we wear.
Highlighting its potential, the traditional textile industry is responsible for approximately 20% of industrial wastewater worldwide
Maria Eagling, Chief Marketing Officer at Epson commented:
“Fashion is one of the world’s most influential and inspiring industries but as our research indicates, it also has a significant impact on our planet's resources.
“Our ‘Water Silks’ collection demonstrates how creativity and sustainability can go hand-in-hand without having to compromise on artistry or quality.
“International luxury brands and designers, including Richard Quinn and Yuima Nakazato, have already adopted Epson’s more sustainable digital textile production methods. Epson continues to innovate in this area with the launch of the ML-13000 in 2023 that is designed to significantly reduce water consumption. What makes it so exciting is not only the water saving but also the flexibility of on-demand textile printing which significantly reduces stock waste and managing excess inventory.”
“With the upcoming fashion week season on the horizon, we see a real opportunity to drive meaningful change across the industry. We hope to inspire more brands to adopt our technology and lead the way towards a more sustainable future.”
Anna Murray, Co-Founder & Creative Director at PATTERNITY added:
“Almost three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered by liquid, a fact that has fascinated us since our inception and which made this project all the more exciting to work on.
“’Water Silks’ celebrates the iconic waterways that define Europe’s fashion capitals - whether it’s the energy of London life along the Thames, the spiraling symbolism of the Seine, the vibrance of Milan’s canals, or the edgy energy of Berlin’s Spree. These designs highlight the connection between city life, natural resources, and fashion.
About Epson / Monna Lisa Printer
For over 80 years, Epson has been at the forefront of printing innovation. Best known for home and office printing solutions, Epson has pioneered a water-free paper and textile re-fibration process known as Dry Fibre Technology (DFT).
Initially used for recycling office paper, DFT has now been adapted to produce rolls of printable non-woven fabric from used garments without the need for water.
Dry Fibre Technology is a significant innovation and opportunity for the fashion industry because it offers a water-free defibration process that makes fashion circularity a reality.
Epson’s solution to digital textile printing technology, the Monna Lisa, can reduce water consumption significantly (by up to 97%). It also reduces dye contamination and minimises textile waste.
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The extra-wide tricot machine combines a working width of 330", expandable by a further 10", with production speeds of up to 2,800 min⁻¹, setting a new performance benchmark for manufacturers of modern sporting goods.
Crewe – Cheshire - UK – 18 September 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the official Mimaki distributor for the UK and Ireland, today highlighted how Mimaki's advanced white ink technology is setting a new standard for Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing, addressing a critical challenge facing garment decorators across the industry.
Tonbridge – UK – September 2026 Compass Business Finance will return to The Print Show this year, inviting visitors to explore their game plans for growth and the strategic decisions that can help drive long-term success in an increasingly fast-moving market.
Located on Stand P580, Compass will deliver an immersive experience designed to explore the challenges, opportunities and key business decisions facing print companies today.
Rather than offering generic advice, the stand will encourage visitors to think differently about their ambitions, investment priorities, and the practical steps required to move their businesses forward with confidence
Anglesey – September 2026 – Nova Chrome UK has today announced the launch of the Filmjet Mini, a new series of all-in-one direct-to-film (DTF) printers designed to eliminate the complexity of running separate printing, powder application, and curing units.
Built by PolyPrint, a garment printer manufacturer since 2006, the Filmjet Mini brings together everything a business needs to start DTF production within a single, compact machine.
China Print Supplies has expanded its textile offering with nine Gongzheng Apsaras printers, covering dye sublimation, direct-to-fabric pigment printing and hybrid working.
The full range is available now, and adds textile to a Gongzheng line-up the company already sells across UV and eco-solvent.
You can learn more about these printers by talking to China Print Supplies at The Print Show later this month (stands S220 and S420).
Dorking – UK – September 2026 – FESPA has announced a new instalment of its FESPA Insights webinar series, focusing on one of the garment decoration industry's fastest-growing opportunities: personalised apparel.
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Burscough, UK, September 14, 2026: Quality Print Services (QPS) has announced it will showcase six printers from across the ColorJet and Roland DG ranges, alongside Nazdar's alternative digital inks, on its stand (150) at The Sign Show 2026.
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Tokyo, Japan – September 2026 – Seiko Epson Corporation today announced the launch of CONTOURJET, a new brand for its Direct-to-Shape Printing System, combining Epson's proprietary inkjet and robotics technologies to meet the growing global demand for decorating complex three-dimensional objects.
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Birmingham, UK – September 2026 – Perfect Colours has announced its participation in The Print Show 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 29th September to 1st October.
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Leicester – UK = September 2026– Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd, a leading innovator in finishing technology, has announced that its award-winning Veloblade Nexus has been selected by 5 Studio UK, a specialist in large-format print and exhibition stand production, to support the creation of high-quality exhibition stands.
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Telford, UK – September 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd will unveil the Gongzheng ThunderJet AQ1602S at The Sign Show, offering visitors a hands-on demonstration of its latest entry-level eco-solvent printer at stand S220 + S240.
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Reading, UK – 15 September 2026 – HP has announced it will showcase four machines from its HP Latex portfolio, alongside the HP DesignJet Z9+ and HP PrintOS Production Hub, at The Print Show and The Sign Show 2026.
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Clay Cross – September 2026 – Resolute DTF has confirmed it will unveil its latest range of digital cutting solutions at The Print Show 2026, held at the NEC Birmingham from 29 September to 1 October.
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Colombo, Sri Lanka – September 2026 – Winterquilts (Pvt) Ltd., one of Sri Lanka's leading garment manufacturers and exporters, has invested in Coats Digital's award-winning GSDCost solution together with its newly launched AI-powered GSDQuest platform.
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Bressanone – September 2026 – Durst Graphics today features its P5 350 CORE, a new 3.5-metre hybrid printing platform designed to serve as an accessible entry point into the wider Durst Ecosystem.
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As brands increasingly demand vibrant, exact colour matching, print providers who rely solely on standard CMYK risk falling behind.