How textile printing works
If you’re a clothing or fabric designer, you’ve probably worked with textile printing before. If not, the concept of printing and applying color to fabric in specific patterns and designs may seem complicated. If you identify with the later, take a look at Wikipedia for a specific overview of the process. Typically, textile printing is most related to dyeing fabrics. However, dyeing most often involves covering the entire fabric or cloth uniformly. When printing, your machine will apply specific color to certain areas in clearly defined patterns.
While there are many different methods of textile printing, the type implemented by a printer device is called digital textile printing (DTP). DTP is the process of printing on fabrics or garments using modified inkjet technology. A number of companies that manufacture inkjet products offer specialized units that are designed specifically for textile printing in bulk production. These types of printers come equipped with the largest print area for convenient versatility, as well as inexpensive ink prices.
The major technology used in DTP is sublimation inkjet printing and Rip Image Processor software. This software lets your textile printer use large amounts of ink at once and use color consumables to print with greater precision than standard printers. The technology also allows for real time preview, which gives you a glimpse of the finalized project before it prints. Often, digital textile printers are manufactured using low resolution inkjet print heads, typically found in heavy-duty business printers. This makes it easier for you to use an assortment of different fabric sizes and increase flexibility when printing.
Both the quality and speed of these inkjet textile printers has improved and become more advanced over the past decade. If you’re interested in a textile printer of your own, the excellent devices available on the market are sure to satiate your printing needs.