Special Report
Evolving the print and promotion textile industry: balancing creativity with ethical choices
Phil McMullin, head of sales commercial & industrial printing, Epson UK, explores how printers can achieve the perfect balance of creativity and environmental responsibility.
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triking a balance between environmental responsibility and economic viability is a challenge now faced by organisations globally, whatever their size and industry. Many are taking stock of how their operations impact the environment, often revealing a legacy of unsustainable practices and inefficient equipment. The textile business is no exception. Historically, a resource intensive industry, little has changed over the years and the environmental consequences are shocking. Research shows the industry is responsible for 20% of industrial wastewater worldwide, and an estimated 35% of all materials in the supply chain are scrapped.
Turning the tide of pollution Not only requiring vast amounts of water, textile manufacturing processes also consume large amounts of energy. Pollutants are another long-standing problem with a heavy dependency on non-biodegradable chemicals and dyes. In the garment decoration and print promotion sectors, these issues are exacerbated by fast fashion’s pervasive wear-it-once attitude, leading to mass production of clothing that’s quickly thrown away. In our connected society, trends are always changing and spread rapidly so customisation needs to be fast to stay current, and at rock bottom production prices to sell cheaply. Not surprisingly, governments are taking action to curtail the industry’s destructive culture and outdated production processes. Tougher laws are coming into force, locally and globally. Consumers are also demanding ethical accountability for the clothes they wear and beginning to switch to companies that demonstrate their allegiance to sustainability.
| 46 | January 2025
Digital fabric printing cuts out the need for plates and associated washing with water and chemicals
Encouragingly, there’s a growing number of brands proactively seeking out eco-friendly products, looking for ways to combine sustainability with quality, style, and cost-effectiveness. This includes swapping out animal-based fibres for eco-friendly fabrics and processes, and recyclable alternatives.
In response, the textile printing sector is fast-tracking a wave of solutions, leveraging advanced digital technology and high-quality printing techniques for new plant-based fibres. This is radically changing the way fabrics are printed.
Reducing waste with on-demand production
Until recently, traditional analogue printing has remained popular, but expensive to operate, and its toll on the environment is increasingly deemed unacceptable. Traditional textile printing depends on high-volume production to keep costs low, making it less suitable for the modern fashion landscape, which values customisation and smaller runs of unique
designs. Today’s fashion brands demand greater control over their prints which is shifting the industry’s focus from mass production to precision and on-demand solutions.
Traditional analogue printing requires costly plate-making for transferring inks to fabric. Typically, plates are washed after each print run to ensure any residual ink or detritus is removed to maintain print quality and prolong the life of the plates. Washing frequency can be higher, depending on the type of fabric and the printing process involved. Even at its least intensive, this still generates a significant level of wastewater and uses excessive energy. Moreover, some chemicals used during cleaning can pose environmental hazards. Once production requirements are fulfilled, plates are discarded, often ending up in landfill or incinerators, potentially releasing harmful gases. While screen printing as an alternative can be kinder to the environment, it also creates waste water as screens must be washed during the process, before finally being discarded.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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