Epson Launches Textile Academy At New Innovation Centre ─Inspiring Great Futures And Shaping Tomorrow’s Textile & Design Industry

PRESS ROOM

15 Feb

Written By Debbie Mckeegan

13th February 2025, Lutterworth, Leicestershire: Global technology firm Epson celebrates the opening of its brand new Innovation Centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, by launching its first ever Textile Academy, a platform to inspire young people to contribute to a better, more eco-friendly textile industry.

Epson’s inaugural Textile Academy comprised of a special, one-day workshop day for textile design students at nearby Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

During this event, the NTU textile design students were given the opportunity to print their individual designs onto a range of substrates using Epson's broad range of digital textile printing solutions spanning direct-to-garment (DTG), direct-to-film (DTFilm), and dye sublimation printers.

An award for the design with the greatest creativity, colour, and impact, as determined by attending media, was given to Katy Harvey in the form of a SureColor F100 dye-sublimation printer.

Katy Harvey, Textile Design Student at NTU said: “Today I learned about the different options for starting my own business or building my career through a company. It was also really great to see how my designs could work across such a wide range of items. Winning the competition for best design was really flattering, and I look forward to trying out my new (dye-sub) printer at home.”

Students also underwent a business workshop, where students were given a broad scope of insight into commercialising textile printing, with Phil McMullin (Head of Sales for large format print at Epson), Oliver Mustoe-Playfair (Co-founder at Prinfab), Taran Rai (Sustainability Manager at Epson), and Polly Chapman (Marketing Manager at Epson).

In a series of presentations, students heard from leading experts in the world of textiles about the challenges, opportunities, and environmental implications of printing in fashion, including:

· Fashion Designer Spotlight: April Holyome, Head of Product at 16Arlington shared her experience with the students about progressing her career from a degree in Textile Design from the University of the Arts London to building experience working with leading brands Burberry, Cath Kidson, and PANGAIA.
April Holyome said: “Today was a great chance to connect with students that are about to embark on their professional journey. I was so pleased that I could share my own experiences to help other students make the most out of their textile design degrees in the fashion world.”

· Sustainability Spotlight: Taranpreet Rai, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Epson UK, talked about the environmental implications of printing in fashion and Epson’s leading role in co-creating sustainability with its efficient, compact and precise digital technologies.Taranpreet Rai commented on the importance of the day: “The fashion sector receives a large spotlight in terms of its environmental footprint and today was a great chance to educate students on what this looks like. Epson has recently conducted research quantifying the water waste attributed to UK and European wardrobes through imported, analogue-printed garments, and it’s great to highlight the reduced impact of on-demand, digital textile printing.”

· Corporate Principles: Duncan Ferguson, MD and European VP for large format print, Epson UK, presented the goals and ambitions of the Textile Print Academy for inspiring future careers for young people and Phil McMullin, Head of Sales Commercial & Industrial Printing, Epson UK provided invaluable insights into the current challenges and opportunities of the textile printing market, and his vision for the future of fashion and apparels.Duncan Ferguson said: “Educating and inspiring students about the opportunities offered by digital textile printing is not only key to future-proofing our industry, but also to reducing the water waste and CO2e of the fashion industry. Marrying their creativity with our technology is an exciting prospect and it’s an absolute pleasure to see students take such an interest in textile printing as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

· Business Showcase From Epson Customer Prinfab: Business owner Oliver Mustoe-Playfair enlightened the students with details of how digital textile printing has elevated his business, with entrepreneurial advice for building a business in the textile printing industry.  

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information.

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. 