Digital Textile Printing Continues Upswing
Digital technology is the fastest-growing method of printing textiles, according to a report from United Kingdom–based researcher Textile Outlook International.
Between 2000 and 2005 digitally printed textile output rose by 300 percent to 70 million square meters.
Although digital methods still account for less than 1 percent of the global market for printed textiles, its share is expected to expand to as much as 10 percent by the early part of the next decade.
Screen printing still dominates the textile printing market with 80 percent of global output. However, this share is expected to fall as digital printing gains more of a foothold in the market.
One reason for the expected growth in digital printing is that more textile manufacturers are able to provide “prepared for print” (PFP) fabrics to digital printers. But much of the increase will be due to improvements in digital printing equipment, such as print heads and ink-dispersion techniques. Growth will also stem from advances in pigment-based inks.—R.M.
