Digital Textile Printing

If there is one segment experiencing tremendous growth, it’s digital textile printing.

This is due to both the increased quality of digital textile printers and textile inks, as well as the variety of applications and economic and environmental benefits.

Despite this evolution, the portion of textile production using digital technology is still small, presenting an opportunity for those in printing or garment manufacturing who want to digitize their business, as well as those in other sectors looking to work with fabrics as a substrate.

Why Use Digital Textile Printing?

One of the benefits of digital printing is water usage. In analog technology, water consumption can reach up to 200 liters per kilogram of printed fabric.

In digital textile printing with pigment ink, water usage drops to just two liters. This enormous reduction makes digital printing more environmentally friendly, not to mention savings in other resources and reduced steps in fabric preparation and finishing.

Digital printing requires less installation space for equipment, with smaller machines but excellent productivity, whether in DTG (direct-to-garment) printing for highly customized production, sublimation printing that caters to a variety of markets, DTF (direct-to-film) printing, or industrial direct-to-fabric printing.

Digital textile printing technologies vary depending on ink type: sublimation, reactive, disperse, acid, pigment, and others, with the choice depending on the purpose of each piece and fabric type. Knowing the differences between technologies like DTF and DTG is essential.

What is DTG Printing?

DTG (direct-to-garment) printing is direct printing on clothing. It’s well-known for T-shirt printing but goes further. In addition to T-shirts, DTG technology can print on hats, bags, totes, and more.

The ability to print directly on garments, using not only white substrates but also printing with white ink on dark items, adds high value. ExpoPrint is the textile trade show that showcases digital DTG printers, textile inks, substrates for printing, and more.

Speaking of direct-to-garment printing, there is also direct-to-fabric printing, formerly known as DTF (direct-to-fabric), which has since made way for the popular direct-to-film printing. Direct-to-fabric printing…

What is DTF Printing?

DTF printing stands for direct-to-film printing. But how does DTF printing work? Initially, it prints with dedicated DTF CMYK inks on a hot or cold peel PET film. DTF technology prints with white ink on dark substrates, offering new applications.

The printed film in the DTG printer is coated with a hot-melt adhesive powder on the wet ink. Next, the film is processed through a heat press. The fully colored artwork on the pre-bonded film is then transferred to pre-pressed fabric, completing the DTG curing. Afterward, the film is removed, and the artwork is fully printed onto the fabric. DTF printing works with fabrics like cotton, silk, and polyester.

What is Digital Textile Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing involves transferring ink onto synthetic fabrics, like polyester. How does sublimation printing technology work? First, the artwork is printed on sublimation paper using a sublimation-specific printer.

As the process suggests, sublimation ink turns to gas through heat application with a press, or with a calender for larger fabric rolls, allowing it to penetrate the fibers.

Once through the sublimation process, the ink returns to a solid state, permanently bonding with the fabric. Sublimation textile printing offers the advantage of making sublimation ink “part” of the fabric, resulting in a soft touch and breathable garment.

Due to the characteristics of the sublimation digital printer, it’s easy to use this equipment for on-demand digital printing of apparel, eliminating inventory and simplifying logistics for garment or printing businesses.

It’s widely used for sports uniforms in various sports, from running to soccer, and even for fishing and e-sports teams, broadening the range of apparel markets.

At ExpoPrint Latin America, visitors can find all types of sublimation printers, from small to large, along with sublimation inks, presses and calenders, various types of sublimation paper, and everything needed to transform your textile business.

What’s Being Produced with Digital Printing?

Creativity and market appeal are essential in digital fabric printing. For those in visual communication, for example, it’s possible to add value to a portfolio as elegant printed fabric signage is gaining popularity with flags, banners, and more for markets like trade show decor and retail visual communication.

Decoration is another area where digital textile printing excels with personalization and low-volume production. It’s possible to create beanbags, pillows, sofa fabrics, curtains, and items for bedding and tableware. This is a profitable sector where beauty and creativity are key.

When it comes to clothing, the possibilities of digital textile printing are endless. From DTG individual and customized pieces, allowing for T-shirt printing and small items for parties, celebrations, gifts, and more, to DTF film printing and sublimation.

Fast Fashion and On-Demand Textile Printing

The same equipment can be found in shopping mall stores across Brazil for customized on-the-spot prints in the size and style the customer wants, reducing stock and maximizing production efficiency. Fast fashion is bringing new business models.

Fashion designers have realized that digital printing is the perfect ally to bring their creations to life. It enables custom production, allowing for testing, fixing, and refining until reaching the final design for the runway! And since the production is in low volumes, there’s no need for huge amounts of unsold pieces.

Textile printing goes beyond, with many using the capabilities of digital textile printing to eliminate inventory. This includes custom sportswear, such as jerseys for amateur soccer teams, running teams, or any other sports group.

Digital textile printing also provides creative solutions for sectors like swimwear, using fluorescent inks to add a unique look to garments, printing in vibrant colors, and more.

See all this at ExpoPrint Latin America, the country’s largest textile printing event!