Fabric Printing and Types of Fabric Printing

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Technology and manufacturing have been changing rapidly across the world. With advancements in technology, many people can do things that once were impossible. One such thing is fabric printing. In this article, we will look at how fabric printing started in 1739 on a farm in England. We will then discuss some of the different types of fabric printing. Also, we will explain how these printing processes are used throughout society today.

History of Fabric Printing

The history of how fabric printing began takes place during the Industrial Revolution when England experienced unprecedented growth. In the 1700s textile manufacturing was already being done by hand. It only took a few decades for the industry to become automated and mechanized. Many inventors, including Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, came along to help improve the quality of textiles. Which allowed production to increase as well as made it more convenient. The first step was taken back in 1810. Between 1830–1860, new technologies came into play as several inventions were made, all with one purpose. Starting with John Kaye’s cotton picker around 1861, followed by Dyer’s mechanical darning machine around 1870. All these improvements allowed the production to boom even further but needed to be expanded. For example, between 1900–1915 cotton manufacturers made nearly 80 million pounds of cotton per year. During this period, there was a massive demand for cotton and therefore the need for machinery was also skyrocketing which brought about mass-production machines. Another improvement in this period was the introduction of sewing machines that changed the way clothes were designed and produced. As a result, production rates increased dramatically. These changes happened from the 1800s through the 20th century. After World War II, people became aware of the importance of making garments sustainably. Before this, factory farming was known and used as an alternative to animal agriculture. However, after Word War I most Americans no longer had any desire or ability to work. As a result, there was a shift towards the use of organic fabrics. Organic fibres are produced by using plants, animals, and insects. Because it is not harmful to the environment, fewer resources are required for the production of organic materials. Although they are becoming more popular, organic fibres can still take long periods of development to achieve full marketability. Due to their low cost and minimal environmental impact, people now prefer natural fibres over synthetic ones.

Types Of Fabric Printing

Now that we have studied what is meant by “fabric printing”, it may help to understand how these designs are created. There are four main types of fabric printing - offset lithography (OLG), digital serigraphy (DSG), inkjet printing (IP), and embroidery. Each type is defined by how the design is created. What is illustrated below is each method of printmaking. If you want to learn more about which printing technique is best for your designs, check out our guide. Below, let us look at each type of fabric printing.

1. Offset Lithographic Printing (OLG)

 

Offset lithography (OLG) is a form of printing where images are created by tracing lines using photolithography or light-sensitive plates that can be focused using lenses. When this is done, these image transfers from a photographic plate onto a paper piece. The finished paper is coated with photoluminescent dye. Depending on the size of the paper, the process takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours. Digital images printed on paper made out of plastic are called polyester prints, printed fabrics, etc. It is also referred to as direct contact inkjet or dry processing printing. OLG prints are mostly used for commercial purposes such as promotional advertising, books, magazines, book covers, stickers, posters, labels, t-shirts, badges, business cards, banners, computer screens, signs, packaging material, and custom invitations. Some businesses may use them because they are less costly than other methods of printing. They are particularly suitable because of the speed and flexibility that they offer. Furthermore, printing costs on traditional offset lithographs are much lower compared to other printing techniques. Other benefits include fastness, durability, and high adhesion to colour pigments.

2. Digital Serigraphy (DSG)

Digital Prints

Digital serigraphy (DSG) is a form of printing in which images are made using a laser or ultraviolet (UV) light source. UV laser printing, like offset lithography, uses photo stimulants to develop the surface after each pass with liquid crystal powder. On the same light sources, a second chemical reaction creates a pigment layer. Then, with lasers or UV lights, the two parts are combined. These light sources produce a continuous pattern of pixels. Digital colour lasers emit light for an amount of energy that allows them to create the desired pixel density for the image. Unlike offset lithographies, digital serigraphy does not use the contrast between white and black, nor do they use reflective surfaces to print on. Instead, the printer focuses on creating discrete dots with varying depths of grey that help define lines. This type of printing, especially in its digital version is mainly used for professional photographers but has potential applications in fine arts as well. 

3. Inkjet Printing (IP)

 

Inkjet printing (IP) is similar to digital serigraphy in that both rely on ink. Ink for IP works by allowing for very precise control of its thickness. While doing so, the ink layer is cooled and transferred from the nozzle of the gun into a container in front of the camera. Once the ink solidifies and becomes coloured, the device simply moves the paper to another position to finish printing. By removing the cooling unit from the system, inkjet printers are capable of producing higher densities than similarly dense flatbed or roller-fed systems. Compared to OLG and DSG, IP printing is slower, requires more power for its operation, and has some disadvantages regarding safety. However, while they are slow and consume too much power, IP is considered safer due to how thin and non-reflective they are.

 4. Embroidery

   

Embroidery is the process of designing and printing on fabric such as shirts, pillows, bedding, tablecloths, curtains, blankets, shirting, towels, cardigans, swim trunks, skirts, blouses, etc. Embroidery designs are made individually and can range from simple straight-line patterns to complex geometric shapes. Regardless of the complexity, embroidery design is mostly used to create patterns for clothing items because it offers an attractive appearance. It allows customers to personalize the items for themselves. Most importantly, it helps companies make profits since they can sell customized products based on customer preferences. Therefore, if you are looking for ways to add value to your designs, think about embedding them with embroidery designs. You can download free design software for Mac or PC. For example, Adobe Illustrator lets you import designs into the program. Next, you can either upload PDFs of your pictures or paste artwork directly into the editor. Finally, choose the area in the project and customize it as you wish. You can use the file format options of the application to save your designs. Various tools for various projects are needed to print the embroidery designs successfully. Examples include ironing boards, spray guns, needle punch pliers, and water jets/laser cutters. Even though embroidery has multiple variants depending on the complexity of the designs, a certain style is generally used to achieve a specific effect.

Conclusion

There are many forms of printing available today. Design strategies can vary from basic line painting to graphic design, typography, web page layout, film and photographs, animation, and video game layouts. Each option offers something unique to the user. That said, you need to know how to get started with each of them. Let us take note of the process of setting up a home embroidery studio and begin learning about your preferred technique! Keep reading for tips on how to plan a successful career in the field of textiles.