Print manufacturer Epson has opened a new innovation center in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, Great Britain, and launched its first “textile Academy”. This is intended to serve young designers: inside and design students as a platform to contribute to a better and more environmentally friendly textile industry.
For the inauguration, Epson textile design student invited to a one-day workshop inside the nearby Nottingham Trent University (NTU). They were given the opportunity to print their individual designs using the digital textile printing solutions from Epson, which range from direct printing on textiles (DTG) to direct printing on film (DT film) to sublimation printers, on a number of substrates.
More sustainable fashion through digital textile printing
“The training and inspiration of students in relation to the possibilities of digital textile printing is not only the key to securing the future of our industry, but also to reduce water consumption and the CO2 emissions of the fashion industry. The connection of your creativity with our technology is an exciting perspective, and it is an absolute pleasure to see how the students are interested in textile printing while starting the next chapter of your life, ”explains Duncan Ferguson, Managing Director and European VP for large format printing At Epson UK, the goals of the new textile academy.
Katy Harvey, textile design student at the NTU, won an award for the design with the greatest creativity, coloring and effect, which was determined by the media representatives present: and received a Surecolor F100 sublimation printer. “Today I learned something about the various ways to found my own company or to build my career in a company. It was also great to see how my designs could work on such a wide range of articles. Winning the competition for the best design was really flattering, and I look forward to trying out my new (sublimation) printer at home, ”comments Harvey.
Part of the day dedicated to a business workshop in which the students of Epson managers such as Phil McMullin, sales manager for large format printing, sustainability manager Taranpreet Rai and marketing manager Polly Chapman gave an insight into the commercialization of the textile printing.
“The fashion sector is very important due to its ecological footprint, and today was a great opportunity to clarify the students about what it looks like. Epson recently carried out a study that quantifies the water consumption that arises through imported, analogous, printed clothing in British and European wardrobes, and it is great to highlight the lower effects of on-demand digital textile printing, ”explains RAI. In a business show case, Printfab co-founder Oliver Mustoe-Playfair spoke about how digital textile printing has brought its business.
The students also heard of leading textual experts: inside the challenges, opportunities and environmental impact of printing in fashion. “Today was a great opportunity to get in touch with a student: inside that are about to start your career. I was very happy to share my own experiences to help others make the best of their textile design in the fashion world, ”says fashion designer April Holyome, Head of Product at 16arlington. She told about her career from textile design studies at the University of the Arts London to working with leading brands such as Burberry, Cath Kidson and Pangaia.