Textile digital printing for most print shops is synonymous with dye sublimation printing for indoor banners and soft signage.  Dye sublimation is an easy printing process and it is within the scope of services of most print shops. However, when compared to the endless possibilities digital textile printing presents, it is very limited. Extending the textile digital printing portfolio means significant business opportunities.

The obstacles of printing digitally on textile for applications other than signs and banners may seem risky and require a high capital investment such as purchasing new printers, pre and/or post treatment and purchasing different types of ink for different fabric types. However, recent innovations can make the leap towards digital textile printing easier than ever with lucrative advantages for creative print shops wishing to expand.

One of the most notable innovations is the launching of a new Velvet-Jet pigment ink, from ink specialist Bordeaux Digital PrintInk. This is a water based pigment ink for digital printing on any fiber whether natural, such as cotton, or man-made, such as polyester, as well as all blended fabrics.  ‘The one ink for all fabrics’ concept developed by Bordeaux eliminates most of the known issues associated with pigment such as poor performance and low color fastness.  Velvet Jet by Bordeaux has come up with an ink that maintains high light fastness (7/8) and the highest industry standard of wash and rub resistance (5/5), meaning the prints can be used, both indoors and outdoors and withstand repetitive laundry cycles, such as needed in the fashion industry.

Practically speaking, the ink has many advantages for digital textile printer novices:

• the ink can be installed on any digital printer that can run the fabric, so no capital investment in machinery is required.
• Requires only a single, unified pre-treatment for all fabrics making it easy to provide printing solutions for multiple applications on the same production line.
• Requires no post treatment, other than drying.
• Enables considerable environmental benefits and energy savings

The ink offers a real breakthrough for textile printing using existing printers and is aimed to increase commercial possibilities for print shops, looking for the next competitive edge. Taking advantage of full support during the installation and sampling process makes it easy to start using this ink.

With numerous customers already using the ink around the world, the commercial benefits are evident. Print shops are expanding their range applications and consequently their customer base.

With the ultimate ink for all textile printing applications- from fashion, home furnishing, or accessories, servicing small to medium designers, or for customers requiring limited printing cycles of clothing, home textiles or interior. The ‘one ink for all fabrics’ printing procedure changes the digital textile printing arena, and allows, for the first time, every print shop to benefit from the potential of entering the world of digital textile printing.