Julia Moltchanova. Digital Textile Printing

Transcription

1 Julia Moltchanova Digital Textile Printing Helsinki Media Bachelor s Engineering Metropolia of Thesis Engineering University of Applied Sciences 23 June 2011

2 Author Title Number Date of Pages Julia Digital 48 pages Moltchanova textile + 1 printing Bachelor 23 June 2011 of Engineering appendix Degree Specialisation Programme option Media Engineering Supervisor Seija Helsinki Ristimäki, Metropolia Director University at Rapidly evolving technology of digital printing opens new of opportunities Applied Sciences benefit One of them is the printed fabric market where printing companies on as many well as markets. technology from and new its implementation printing methods. for fabricondemand This thesis focuses printing on the service digital in Finland. textile printing clients The areas and purpose of application of this of project this technology, was to study the requirements the technology for behind the digital digital printing textile on printing, business the plan economical for a small aspects digital of textile the new printing technology. company Based taking on advantage the study of the a tentative Internet fabrics as The a thesis service is deployment based on a platform literature was review created. articles and uptodate presentations on digital of several printing. printed sources, numerous internet A of startup business this project. plan According for the digital to the textile information printing service gathered, in Finland it is economically was created feasible the result printing ink to operate jet printers. with However, its own printing the demand facilities for consisting service of in two Finland lowend is still digital the subject textile for a Keywords for further studies. digital textile printing, printing technology, internet business

3 Contents 21 Overview Introduction of digital textile printing 65 3 Digital Conventional textile printing textile printing technology 3.3 Digital Ink jet printing Ink jet printing technologies technologies for textiles Digital textile Print printing heads requirements Enduser Industry requirements Preflighting Textiles as a substrate Printing Specific requirements on textiles Printer overview Pigmented ink components Areas Sampling Strikeoff of application for digital textile printing 7 Benefits 6.3 Mass customization of Internet Issues with as service digital textile deployment printing platform Deployment Computeraided Community portal on the design Internet 27 28

4 10 Business 9.4 Ecommerce plan for FabDigital Executive Background summary of the digital textile printing service Technology Target groups overview Mission Market survey: of the company existing services and competitors Future Service business delivery model development Cost revenue Staffing calculations Initial Costs and stage productivity estimates Budget Special Second conditions summary stage Risk Analysis Customer Deployment base and and company competitor operation risks risks Conclusion Supply chain risks References Appendices 46 Appendix 1. Sample of digitally printed fabric

5 5 1 Personal Introduction the industry, aspects computers of our lives have have been been evolving touched fast by in the the change. past half Especially, a century. when Gradually, it comes all opened new the opportunities. computerization of different tasks has introduced new capabilities and to specialized Textile centuries. printing However, industry has factories it its has roots remained have ancient been a technologically able crafts, to produce and it complex has proper been process printed developed fabrics and so over with far only the use In the of technologies past decade digital such as textile rotary screen technology printing. the technologies from digital printing on paper, it has is changed now possible all that. to By reduce adapting for sampling such time areas to of few application hours. These textile advances printing technology as sampling, may open strikeoffs new perspectives and mass the customization. The topic of this thesis is digital textile printing. It has two goals: To and study economical the current aspects state of of its digital usage. textile printing: technology, possibilities, conclusions create a business of the study. plan for a small digital textile printing service based on application The scope for of this a smallscale thesis is digital the digital printing textile production. printing Particular technology interest general is in utilizing and its the service. digital textile printing capabilities and provisioning them as an Internetbased

6 2 Overview of digital textile printing 6 Nowadays follow customers markets needs. are changing Customers rapidly of textile and the industry only way are for expecting producers a great to survive variety is to requirements, patterns and colors. and printers However, are pushed conventional to search printing for new methods ways to cannot satisfy the fulfill customers the new of demands papers, more often, inkjet without as printing meets increasing technology the demands costs is now and of the utilized waste. new textile in Originally the fabric market. designed printing [1] market for printing more and on According expect wideformat to InfoTrends digital printing and Fespa's is textiles world with wide 93% survey, of printers the fastest polled growing stating application Xennia to [3], see the growth key market this drivers market for [2]. shifting According towards a digital producer textile of digital printing that printers, are they need demand for for economic personalization short and increased runs, fast number and frequent of niche products. design changes, Furthermore, increased the a turnover increase in for the the coming digitally years printed [1]. fabric is steadily increasing and it is predicted to regarding As application, with any digital which industry, textile are sampling, printing, different strikeoff I.T. areas Strategies and are mass influenced [4] customization. marks by out particular three major technologies, markets of and fabrics New designers technology through without the is beneficial use special of service not knowledge bureaus. only for in big [5] textile printers printing and now companies, can now but produce also artists their

7 3 Digital textile printing technology According Conventional to Gherzi textile Research printing of [3]. textile production nowadays 2008, are illustrated rotary screenprinting by figure 1, the and most flatbed prevalent screen methods printing Figure Rotary 1. screen Methods printing of textile production. was developed Gherzi Research in the 2008 mid1950 s. [3]. genuinely continuously continuous rotated printing. cylindrical Print screens paste is which fed inside contact the with screen, the This and fabric during process and printing form uses it Rotary is forced screen out printing through has the many engraved advantages. areas forming Rotary the screen pattern. machines [1] large production and economical long runs. The relatively inexpensive colorants offer highspeed limited color fabric gamut width [1]. and However, picture length the major that can disadvantage be printed. of [6,14] rotary screen printing provide is a

8 Flatbed screen printing uses flat screens for the design (one screen for each color) that 8 intermittent are gummed positioned to fashion, the along blanket one the top screenrepeat the of a entry long endless distance and belt, moves a known time. along All as the with a blanket. colors the blanket in The the fabric design in is the are screen printed fabric printing and simultaneously blanket [6,26]. Unfortunately, move while on. the Flatbed fabric rotary screen stationary; screen printing and then flatbed is much the screen screens slower productions are than lifted rotary and not respond to the new demands of the changing world of textile printing. [1] do 3.2 Digital Digital revolution printing has technologies affected every for aspect textiles and also cheaper adopted sampling. new technology for its needs, of driven today s primarily life. Naturally, by the textile demand printing for faster has for Digital printing printing on is paper. considered The first to be patent quite for a new an inkjet technology. printing Originally system it was was received developed fibers Lord Kelvin occurred in early Furthermore, 1970 s, but the this earliest was confined use of jet to the printing carpet machines industry on owing textile by the In the relatively 1980 s it low became pattern possible definition to produce of which digital the machines laser versions were of then electrophotography capable [6,301]. to Digital transfers printing for Tshirts defines and a set other of garments technologies and that accessories could be [7,2]. the have digital different form characteristics, onto the target not surface every (or printing substrate). technology Since used different can to transfer be applied target an image surfaces for any in given substrate. [5,172]

9 Figure 2 illustrates three approaches for ink jet technology: the piezo electric and 9 thermal drop on demand ink jet technologies and the continuous ink jet technology. Figure The most 2. Ink common jet technologies: technology (a) used continuous for printing ink jet, on (b) textiles drop on is demand the piezo ink jet electric [8,64]. demand of ink droplets (DOD) is ink projected jet technology on a substrate [5,172]. It order is based to form on the a pattern. approach, that precision a drop stream on couple droplet placing is achieved by using the electromagnetic field [8,64]. There are also of flow printing. of other However, alternatives it is for piezo the inkjet electric technology: DOD technology thermal that DOD is primarily and continuous used for a digital Printing on textile on textiles substrates the also moment. technologies in terms of fixating the requires ink on some the target adaptation surface. of the The traditional need comes printing there fact are that two fabric methods has to for be digital resistant printing to washing on textiles: and exposure indirect inkjet to elements. heattransfer Thus, from printing and direct inkjet printing. [5,172]

10 Indirect inkjet heattransfer printing in essence uses a special paper with 10 by layer applying of plastic heat to to print the transfer image. paper. After As that a the result image of heat can application, be transferred the to plastic the fabric layer a will For be the transferred direct inkjet to the printing, fabric surface. the color [5,173] temperature device or by to the the means target of surface. heat in the It can oven. be fixation done The particular by is also the means done heating of by steam approach applying a is the steamer chosen high based Current on trends the chemical in printer components hardware show that were the development used for printing. and implementation [5,174] engines using piezo, dropondemand, or continuous inkjet technology [9]. of print Ink Ink jet jet printing printing technologies for textiles technologies continuous In general, ink there are jet shown are and two drop in main figure on demand technologies 3 above. ink jet. that The have principles been in of use both for of inkjet these printers: The a explains physical oldest the phenomenon of behavior the technologies of called a stream Rayleigh is the of fluid continuous instability with respect inkjet (PlateauRayleigh to or the CIJ. droplet Its operation instability) size under is based that the on liquid the influence inkjet into of can a surface continuous be controlled tension. stream when Basically of droplets fine it droplets. means are passing that If they it is through are possible charged, the to electromagnetic break the direction a stream of of field. [10,63] This high substrates printing speed. of Secondly, technology different as shapes. has it is several a [10,64] noncontact advantages. process, First, the the printer system can can print run on at many extremely

11 Most inkjet printers are using the drop on demand (DoD) approach or impulse printing, 11 when piezoelectric needed, a small component. drop is being The separated pressure is from applied the printer to the reservoir head by only the means when a of droplet heat or [10,64] so no deflection is needed, which simplifies the construction of the printer. is The transferred difference to the between ink. In these order two for approaches ink to get transferred, for DoD is it in is the heated to that produce is being printers. bubble. For [8,717] that reason waterbased inks are usually used for the heatbased DoD a Unlike ink very formulations. thermal ink Hot jet systems, melt inks piezo are commonly ink jet printing used systems for multicolor allow a printers broader [8,719]. variety of among high manufacturers resolution at [10,61]. high speed achieved by piezo technology makes it popular A technology Ink main jet directions has of proved ink of jet development to is an be ever evolving a sustainable for printing area, technology on improvements textiles for are printing are made heads on textiles. constantly. and colorants. As The the by Increasing achieving smaller greater drop the number size, speed gray and of scale an operating ink capability jet printer. frequency and Better expanded of image the color print quality gamut. head will nozzles [7,83] be accomplished will allow

12 3.3.2 Print heads 12 printer clogging, There are heads: ink several drying, fixed and issues and disposable. printer that inkjet maintenance. [11] technology In has general, to deal there with. are These two types are ink of full A case fixed only head ink has needs an advantage to be changed of reducing while the the printing cost of the head printer remains maintenance. the same for In this cleaning lifecycle and of maintenance the printer. However, mechanisms, this especially printing head when will clogging require some and trying welldefined occur. the [11] The the to use printing second both: approach head a disposable can entails be changed. head disposable and Many disposable heads, consumeroriented which ink cartridges. means printers that With not are this only now approach inks designed but also head [11] is changed if it gets damaged, but the ink could be changed much more often. the Despite provide thirdparty the replacements obvious benefits for relative of the prices. replaceable This problem parts, has the created original a manufacturers cheaper alternatives. manufacturers [11] who can provide cheaper replacements cartridge market refills for the for feed cartridges Finally, ink there systems. are some The purpose thirdparty of these manufacturers systems is that to eliminate provide the socalled need for continuous from larger where refillable the feeds. printing [11] volumes are high by retrofitting printers to receive small ink

13 4 Digital textile printing requirements From Enduser the consumer s requirements use another of green product technologies). is rarely point an In of issue this view, (exceptions respect the technology the include enduser that the is use is primarily used of proper to interested produce labor and one in the or quality of the user of the Excellent requirements: end product and its price. The following list summarizes the key aspects While created there color is theoretically quality: Digital printing limit in may the number have some of colors issues that with can colors. as pastels) with may digital be challenging. printing technologies, [12] the use of particular colors (such be traditional Excellent image rotary quality: screen printing. Image quality Yet, the should expectations be least are even as good higher as as in Fastness digital [3] technologies of the printed provide image: unmatched As most possibilities fabrics are for exposed image to complexity. abrasion, Price: possible light, water when and traditional chemicals, screen the printing consumer is used. expects [3] as fast printing as price vs. Consumers quality ratio are always should interested be comparable in lower to prices. the traditional Essentially, screen the The requirements printing or above should are be interdependent. even cheaper for The all such cost markets is the as most sampling. important [3] dependency enduser requirements factor. Therefore, the technology. optimized balance between these needs is defining the

14 4.2 Industry requirements 14 From consumer s from the the need viewpoint requirements. of a of flexible the Originally, industry, and costeffective for the digital requirements textile solution printing are for the small formed requirements scale to satisfy prints derive and the sampling. of Essentially, hardware and digital software printing to operate technology it. Hence, is made user possible friendly by and the powerful joint power software printing textile the key requirements. and to provide It has advanced to address features the needs such of as the image particular processing tasks or variable digital is one date The quality printing. of Yet, the it produced has to be image easy to should operate be comparable for not so advanced to the quality computer of the users. printed [3] images textile printing that are depends produced on: by the means of rotary screen printing. Print quality in digital Substrate: Ink and ink system (used dyes, binders, monomers, or oligomers). needed. Print head Surface (resolution, Depending properties jet on straightness affect the type penetration of and fabric, nozzle of the different reliability). inks, surface approaches pre and are Fabric cause posttreatment printing artefacts. could improve image quality, and for example dirt could dots and fixing cause mechanism: artefacts, like Motion banding of the or stitching fabric affects lines. registration between Digital Image processing. [3] hence and reducing shortening textile the printing costs the is sampling of expected sampling. time to [3] shorten and the the marketing time to simplify time of the smaller sampling scale process, projects

15 4.3 Preflighting 15 jet Preflighting font and and offset outline plays printing. problems, a similar It aims role and in to check digital prevent for textile misprints overprint printing due and as to transparency prepress missing profiles does issues, in or regular bad to catch color ink conventions. colors, reproduction. effects, The [13] gradients, same rules and as PS/EPS/PDF in regular differences. ink jet printing All these apply: issues inclusion influence of named final However, ink reproductions volume. there Due depending is a to specific the on 3D the issue structure amount with the of of the preflighting fabrics, absorbed printing for ink. digital Moreover, can textile result as printing. fabrics different It are is usually Hence or rely it on pretreated is professional important and to software, know posttreated, precisely which all will the the do process the agents task and have for formulas you. to [13] be for taken successful into account. printing Textiles Specific as requirements a substrate Although there are major inkjet technology differences between used for paper textile and printing fabrics. was The adopted root of from the differences paper printing, capturing purpose the of prints the with target high surfaces. quality, little While exposure the paper to elements is primarily can engineered be assumed is for in most the is up prints to cases. digital under Yet, textile the fabrics exposure. printing are primarily process [12] designed to address with the the issues targeted of quality use in and mind. durability Hence, of it For and paper water printing resistance. the For target fabrics surfaces this is could even have more different relevant properties, as each type such of as fabric coloring textures, have its own structure printing of properties fibers, and due water to the resistance. composition Besides, of natural textiles and have synthetic much greater fibers, will absorbency, [12] requiring many times the ink volume compared with printing on papers.

16 16 As fabric porous a printing during or textured. the substrate printing What textiles is process. more, also textile Textiles pose types another are are flexible, major different stretchable, problem from each the and other handling often highly these of a properties. to handle textiles In this during respect, the printing process. equipment [12] has to be adaptable enough to be able Another surface. aspect Such aspects for textile as printing exposure is to a possibility light, heat, of water, exposure heavy to elements wear, abrasion, of the target the application fabric should of the minimize cleaning as agents many should effects be the considered. exposure The as possible. finishing [12] operations and on Finally, the fabric results the that printing should would should be make closely it not less affect reproducible applicable the softness for since the or intended multiple any other use. pieces touch In some will properties need applications to be of assembled Printing together. on textiles [12] The used the direct term to transfer inkjet printing the printing and pattern transfer for onto textiles a medium target covers substrate. printing. a range One In of different transfer notable medium technologies difference printing is between that are pattern transferred is first to imprinted the fabric on via a certain application transfer of medium heat. In such this as transfer approach paper, no substrate and then fact, similar treatment the pattern is required, is not but bounded the results to the are fabric not but exactly to the the intermediate same as direct layer of printing. plastic In not as high substance. as with The direct quality printing. of such [7,201] products especially with respect to durability or is three Direct printing. steps: printing The print, pigment currently dry, printing and has bake. two process However, main is the methodologies: it simpler was difficult one of pigment to the adapt two. printing for It requires early and inkjet just dye economical, as the it became printers the were preferred based printing on the thermal method DOD for cotton, principle. for example. Because it [7,202] is more

17 17 Reactive printing. In dye this printing process, is there an approach are five stages: that is print, typically dry, steam, used washoff, for traditional and dry. screen However, screen printing for the the jetink reactive printing dye contains the contents all the of required allin inks chemicals is a problem. such as A thickeners. few of the For issues are: Allin inks are not could stable further enough destabilize for prolonged the ink. storage. Low Some period viscosity chemicals of time. ink in is the required ink may for damage printing, the while printing higher heads viscosity over needed a long after In the image printed on the substrate. together general, with the the existing practical issues benefits with of the using usage certain of chemicals the allin for inks the for quality the jet of the printing end process thickeners. product has involves During prompted the second pretreatment for adaptation stage a pattern of of the the is substrate twophased applied with the printing the purified chemicals process. dyes. such [7,203] Such as a A to However, twophased customize also the printing chemical poses process further solutions allows complication for not the only particular for to the improve printing substrate the quality process, fiber of type, when prints if required. ideally but also both printer complexity should apply and cost the substrate of equipment. pretreatment [7,203] as well as the actual dye, increasing a

18 4.4.3 Pigmented ink components 18 Pigmented ingredients. binder, ink The that typical is used ink formulation pigment includes printing a methods pigment has dispersion to combine for color, many an antifoam a medium agent, to a viscosity carry other control components, agent, a penetrant, a cosolvent, and surfactants, a biocide. [7,220] humectants, a Pigment grained not bind particles dispersion itself to to the for be textile placed color substrate is on a the colored target and substance requires substrate. a that special The could dispersion binder be divided substance into for does fine Hence image durability. binder component [7,222] is present in the ink. Binder solution responsible for the it. Typically medium (or the solvent). pigment Another ink is aquatic ink system (or waterbased), that is used for so digital water textile serves printing as the is carrying have on both (polyvinyl advantages chloride) and disadvantages. which a completely One of the solid most ink notable system. differences The two systems is based heated PVCbased ink is much easier to bake (or cure) but it may experience a rebinding that [7,222] again. Secondly, the cost of PVC printing is higher than the cost of aquatic inks. if The bellow quality gives of an the example resulting of possible prints also applications differs based with respect on the to substrate these two type. ink systems. Table 1 d Table 1.Virtual quality of the resulted prints Ws [7,220]. d W E d z ' W &

19 As table 1 illustrates, aquatic inks perform best on cotton fabrics of light colors 19 terrycloth. smooth surfaces. On the other hand PVC inks are more suitable for synthetic fabrics and Cosolvents of better. the cosolvents The humectants and humectants is to are enable added are important to prevent ingredients additions the ink to to be from the dissolved drying ink structure. in the printer water The purpose carrier of both ink is idle the and viscosity active agent. states. The Another viscosity component property that has controls a profound the physical effect on properties the nozzle ink behaves itself during the printing process. [7,224] way parameter Surfactants the ink and affects are the substances nozzle many of aspects that the printer control of the head the printing surface to process the tension bleeding from parameter and interaction dotquality. of the ink. between Image This helps quality the depends ink carrier on to these better parameters. penetrate the Penetrant, target substrate. which is [7,224] another ink component, A from defoaming growing, agent hence, prevents maintaining ink the from ink foaming shelf lifetime. up. A biocide [7,226] agent prevents bacteria absolutely While several all of required these components in all the could cases. be Some present chemical in the combinations ink structure, not could all be of them used are because roles. of possible However, chemical mixing incompatibility the components of different is a technologically substances. On complex the bright task for side, processing the complexity requires of the substrate just of the applying is pigmented no dry longer heat. ink required, [7,226] has its though clear benefits. could First be performed. of all, the Post pre

20 5 Printer overview 20 that In consuming. general, would be Thus, the economically textile some printing feasible time process it was to use difficult remains for anything to technologically create else a but digital sampling. complex printer After for and textiles Miami time towards and released Dupon large released format industrialscale digitaltextile printers in in , and it Minolta, became Reggiani, clear that Robustelli printer increasing speed and long run capabilities are possible. Furthermore, the changes compete released with the traditional 2008 by rotary Osiris screen showed printer. that the [5,12] speed of the ink jet printer ISIS can Table 2 bellow demonstrates the cost efficiency of the textile printing equipment. Table By far 2. the Cost list efficiency of equipment of the machinery table 2 [3]. can printing be obtained only at the manufacturer is not the and most it also complete. depends The on exact the type information meter per equipment. hour at high Table resolution 2 demonstrates would cost that about the 5,000 productivity euros of of investment. one extra square of the Printing devices handling equipment mechanism, usually as illustrated includes in not figure only 3. the In printing addition desk to the but printer, also the there textile steam fixations, for the ovens, postprocessing and heat presses. of the substrate precoat and washing machines, are

21 21 Figure The performance 3. Mimaki directtotextile of the digital digital textile printer printer [3]. makes meters it of a fabric rival per to traditional hour. printers. The printer Isis, manufactured is capable of by printing Osiris (cf. 1,200 figure square 4), Figure materials 4. by Osiris means Isis. of The Continuous first digital Inkjet printing (CIJ) system technology for [3]. the industrial printing of webshaped

22 6 Areas of application for digital textile printing 22 present, I.T. Strategies which are [4] sampling, marks out strikeoff three major and mass markets customization. for digital textile printing at the 6.1 Initially Sampling means accommodating that the a pattern reduction digital is printing printed of sampling technology on both costs paper for fabrics. and and fabric time In the with played textile attention a industry major to details sampling role and Before compliance introducing with traditional digital textile screen printing, printing. sampling [4] process, production lasting time for has weeks. been reduced With the to introduction few hours. [3] of was digital a time textile and printing money the consuming sampling 6.2 I.T. Strikeoff salable also become Strategies item for the has markets second defined major such strikeoff as application luxury, as entertainment, area a way for of digital producing or textile special printing. a events. sample [4] Strikeoff a single, has efficient Powerful With high to software quality produce tools digital low will printing volume also allow capabilities orders for the by better the it is use much control of more the of quality digital economical and textile repeatability and printing. time allows prompts of the produced the for customer better items. service to On make solutions top of modifications that, that the could flexibility be to offered the initial digital by the design textile companies. more printing [4] easily process and

23 6.3 Mass customization 23 Mass concept goods customization and of mass services customization is the meet third individual was major defined application customer's by Tseng area needs and for Jiao with digital [12, near textile 685] mass printing. "producing production The efficiency". service corresponding industries. It became increase It implies a in new costs. a tool great [14] increase business in competition variety of for goods both or manufacturing services without and a industrial Coupled Introduction with fabric of the digital printing Internet textile facilities capabilities printing to offer to allows reach their smaller possible services companies in customers, the field that it of do creates textile not host printing. a totally the new set of business opportunities for the mass markets. [5, 185] 7 In order Benefits to understand of digital the textile benefits printing two recognize different the production problems that chains the for traditional two of printing digital screen technologies, textile printing printing, poses. conventional Figure it is necessary 5 and illustrates digital to printing. Figure 5. Production chains for conventional printing and digital textile printing. [3]

24 Figure 5 demonstrates how digital technology simplifies the production line for textile 24 printing. a option result, for It digital textile eliminates textile industry. the printing need becomes of color separation, an environmentally dye making friendly and making and cost plates. efficient As The textiles traditional introduction without the of use digital of rotary textile screens. printing For has large opened volumes a possibility and large to produce sizes the printed the sampling printing and low methods volume is prints the only (under economically 1,000 m2) reasonable the digital option. textile However, printing use has for of become [15] a real alternative. It addresses the main issues for the rotary screen printing. First reproduced caused of by all, the directly digital use of textile on screens the printing target are not eliminates substrate. relevant for the Hence, the need digital most of textile screens, of the printing. issues as patterns [15] that were are considerable. image Secondly, the the design computer and modification and sending of it the to pattern an office is now printer. as easy The as time modifying gain an create a sample. Using Digital a rotary textile screen printing technology shortens it this would time take to a several few hours. days at Further, least to is saves not only time but also reduces costs, materials and energy consumption. [15] it which Thirdly, in due the turn to automation makes production of the process location labor less important. costs could [3] be significantly reduced, The less water ink jet and printing 45% method less electricity, is considered than conventional more environmentally printing methods. friendly. [5,178] It uses 30% The printed (or a typical second fabric rotary before run). screen The the service). majority printer would However, of reasons boast most to a 9,00018,000 fail of that the would print meters are have actually a run 210% (quantity due of to errors the of screens integral these problems, themselves. part of they rotary Issues cannot screen such be totally as printing stickins, eliminated. technology. misfits, [15] scrimps, While it and is possible wicking to are reduce all an

25 25 Digital textile printing offers the following benefits: Reduces Eliminates costs time the to issues to introduce that were new resulting designs. and from make the modifications. use of rotary screens. Reduces Makes Lowers less energy, environmental important water low and impact. cost material location consumption. for production. printers. To printing summarize, process. digital Furthermore, textile printing it offers eliminates an environmentally the need of conscious screens and option simplifies for textile the 8 As a Issues new technology, with digital the digital textile textile printing defects. used for sampling, However, while according otherwise to Brooks it is not Tippett printing that widely [15], comes used. digital with Hence textile its own the printing set issues of issues with mostly this or technology One of the might most prominent not be as visible issues as is with socalled more banding. traditional approaches. from produce standard the pattern printing on on the paper. target It surface. has to do Usually with a the printing way This how head term most is might going digital be back printers familiar forth orthogonally above the to the target printing surface head along path a and single an image straight transferred line. The substrate line by line. is dragged In order and to the unprinted produce substrate surface a continuous movement may appear. image should [15] the be alignment perfect. When of mechanical it is not the parts case, and a the narrow control strips over of

26 Of course, perfect alignment is subjective when it comes to the mechanical 26 machinery redundant some natural printing with reduction manual heads to operation. or the multiple banding Fortunately, passes. problem The the as textile the banding threedimensional as a could substrate be reduced also structure provides using fibers makes the problem less visible. [15] of Another clogging. However, similar In with both most type of modern these of problem cases printers some has the to pixels nozzle do with could redundancy printing be missing would head or minimize nozzle partially misfires the colored. issue. or In although essence in digital is a textile similar printing type of it problem is very easily stickin reduced. in [15] the rotary screen printing Yet Unlike another paper, area fabric for has mechanical certain freedom failures of movement. digital textile It may printing deform is fabric in various handling. very (stretch, for example) or create uneven wrinkles. Since the printing head has to ways in contact close to with the the surface wrinkled of the fabric. to Deformation produce a precise to the pattern, it or may even easily physical come be directions during damage the to where print. the printing The the substrate digital head is textile has a possible to printing be kept outcome technology as still of as this possible. evolved event. [15] Hence is in fabric one of handling the key Digital that printing has textile to do printing with colors. has introduced As an a inherited totally new part set of of digital issues imaging, to the textile digital printing dots has to resort to dithering (representation of a new using a pattern textile approach of available may fail for colors) certain color order ranges. to produce According certain to Tippett colors. [15], Unfortunately, it is one of this the of main Color issues repetition for wide is another scale adoption major issue. of digital It refers printing to an within inability textile of a industry. completely side similar colors from print to print. This issue becomes a problem printer for to produce reasons printing for the which color is required repetition problem: order to quality produce of larger inks, prints. differences There in are inks multiple sideto manufacturer of a substrate. to [15] manufacturer and from cartridge to cartridge, and physical properties from

27 27 Finally, uses expensive digital textile inks and printing prints at with the limited moment speed. is economical [3] only for short runs, as it To summarize, the following is a list issues causing problems in digital textile printing: Contact Digital textile of print printing head with is reproducing prone fabric to may banding. halftones. cause image distortion or printer damage. There are problems printers in run use color with expensive repetition, limited inks. speed. especially in sidebyside printing. Most Digital textile printing is currently economical only for short runs. introduction of the problems of new generation and inconveniences of print heads with and digital dyes. printing would be solved with the 99.1 Internet Deployment as on service the Internet deployment platform Two how service to important enable is deployed them issues to to for the use any Internet, the service both are more of how these easily to reach problems and the at their potential are addressed. own customers pace. When and a The spread marketing Internet the word provides about unmatched the service, reachability starting from and Google offers advertising, different opportunities and to to service. channels on YouTube and blogs. The customers can easily access the self What company using is more, to scaleup the Internet its services infrastructure for a greater and supplementary number of users. technologies This is the allow benefit a small to multiple the clientserver users with close architecture to no extra of the cost Internet or effort. that allows providing similar service of

28 9.2 Computeraided design 28 The also HTML5, Internet enables CSS, services nowadays Javascript, to is provide and providing Silverlight rich not multimedia only in combination fast content. connectivity with Such the and technologies new reachability, web as browsers Flash, but it could of serverside be used frameworks to create wellfeatured based PHP frontends or Java for may design provide applications. the application Yet, a logic number between connectivity the to two the parts database is usually where conducted the designs over the will http/https be stored. protocols. The communication [16, 16] and On would limited top enable resources of that, a there reasonably of a is small a large fast startup amount design company. and of freeware the deployment software of libraries such a system or systems with that 9.3 Digital Community textile printing portal primary to facilitate customers. the formation It is essential targeting of the community that creative the service people by interest. will and provide enthusiasts means as of one communication grope of its There include private are a discussion a number of forum opensource with rich solutions multimedia for such capabilities, portals. A user typical identification, solution would provide messaging. additional value. In addition, [17] specialized portals may integrate other modules and to Despite important security the issues. actual These portal are: theme, any community portal has to address a couple of protection customer service from spam and moderation

29 Fortunately, most of these tasks could be automated. For instance, protection from 29 spam service password is for partially retrieval. the portal achieved [18] could by also user be registration automated with for the generic confirmation. tasks such Customer as lost healthy Moderation issue but more is a tricky of an issue and related could to be social timeconsuming. engineering It that is in is not required only a to technical and moderators community has around to be defined the portal. and accepted To be successful, by all the a new set of users. rules This for will both provide build users a solid discussion grounds topics for to moderating the ones that the are portal. relevant Of course, for the it portal's would main be beneficial theme. [17] to limit the 9.4 Another Ecommerce [19]. as Direct benefit banking of the inside Internet Finland is a or possibility international to employ Internet various payment methods technologies of payment challenges PayPal for became the deployment. popular solutions for ecommerce. However, it also brings such new The outsource for obtaining security of customers sensitive data trust is an the important service issue [18]. to In consider this respect, and may it is play preferable a key role security and the privacy payment the processing transactions. to specialized It is relatively companies easy for that Finnish can market guarantee because the to of provide to employ the high Internetbased electronic degree of payment computerization access systems to its customers. from in the the country. banks With a to certain It conduct is expected annual payments. fee from it is a possible bank to

30 Business plan for FabDigital 30 Textile 10.1 Executive printing summary possible provided to produce Finland. has digitally been evolving printed textiles. for the However, past decade such and services finally are it not has yet become widely This a proposed service business delivery plan describes model and the projected need for business the digital development textile printing within service the in scope Finland, company and business. will concentrate The service on will the be digital provided textile by printing FabDigital with digital further textile emphasis printing on of customized The projected textile services design will and include: printing. Custom customer printed with fabric: designs the service and printing provides facilities. a logistics Such chain facilities between may the be employed forcost ratio. Europe Speed and of the delivery any other will part also of be the taken world into account. maximize the quality FabDigital eliminating textile will printing: create its during own facilities the second digital stage printing of the on business textiles. deployment, direct access a to complex printing logistic equipment chain for for the small customers orders, as but a part it will of the also It service. will provide allow Fabric Consulting services the on fields fabric of design: digital textile FabDigital printing will and provide fabric training design. and consulting customers designs: that lack FabDigital the resources will provide to create fabric their pattern own designs. services to the The According initial phase, the current illustrated planning, figure the business 6 bellow, deployment will consist will of be a done webbased in two stages. service interface of delivery. the printing and consulting houses. As services. a result, The FabDigital actual textile will handle printing the will logistics be outsourced for orders to and one

31 31 After the initial phase the Figure customer 6. Company base operation: and real Initial business phase. and favorable, the projected the second costs phase and of profits the business will be deployment adjusted. If will the be needs new committed. will information be established As figure be textile bellow printing illustrates, by purchasing the deployment or leasing consists the printing of creating equipment its own from capabilities the manufacturer. digital 7 The facilities. service delivery model will be adjusted to take the advantage of one s own printing

32 32 While the initial service Figure deployment 7. Company operation: is intended Advanced to be phase. company, two or three further years. business development may require a staff done of several by a people singleperson within Textile 10.2 Background printing is an of the old digital process. textile Many printing different service through However, time the having recent development one thing in common of the digital they techniques textile are time printers have consuming has been introduced developed and complex. a over spin to the process. new Now sufficient picture it is on for possible a quantities paper. for While a that single it are is person still typical not to for applicable produce sampling, a for printed personalized large fabric volumes similar custom of printing, to orders, printing it the is a needs of crafting, and the needs of small businesses.

33 The introduction of digital textile printing has also created another opportunity. Now 33 is tools. possible This to is a create very important a design business a digital aspect form by because the means it would of computer enable designs aided design being it done creates separately a greater without need for involving textile specialists printing among from the potential printing service facilities. consumers, This in turn greater custom variety textiles of may custom enable fabrics new for opportunities personal projects. in businesses as well as provide as a Internetbased technology. However, separation By services, using the of it design latest is possible Internet from production to technologies deploy a is webbased not and the the only experience digital benefit textile of of printing existing digital service An that easy would provide use webbased the following: design tool that is compatible with most existing Constantly Reliable consumer storage software updating for systems. designs. library readymade designs and patterns. Easy Always uptodate information about available fabrics. typical Seasonal ordering for and promotional of webbased prints and services. offers. incorporated payment system with a security model The Client authentication and order tracking. end printing webbased for facilities the services design could with be portal enacted different is a via very delivery the flexible same models. solution portal. Both and could outsourced be used and as inhouse a front The 10.3 service Technology is enabled overview textiles. enabler. Digital They shorten printers and by that two simplifie are components. capable the time of producing First consuming of all, images technological there on is digital fabrics process. printing are a As key on result, quantities becomes and to make economically it accessible feasible for a to general produce consumer exclusively base. printed fabrics in small a

34 Secondly, the Internet provides a good environment to offer the service. It combines 34 distribution major technologies role in of the to the create success deployed easytouse of the service. business computer Proper model. use aided of design Internet tools technologies with the worldwide will play a One most retrieval, of usertoservice the design, key aspects backup, tasks. to ordering, consider Service should with order respect automate tracking, the payment, registration, service and the password other automation common change of web and the service 10.4 Target tasks. The business groups Private will will customers target five are types one of the customer two main groups: designs enable private customers do an easy customer design and target implementation groups. The of service hand on fabric. This group includes occasional service users, designers their so what crafters. counts The is the annual number spending of customers of each customer in this group. would As not an be implication very high, and it covers requires (such as not password a welldesigned only the recovery design and and issues highly order but automated tracking). also problem usertoservice resolution interface mechanisms that Small businesses constitute another large target group. FabDigital will provide businesses printing the case services textile printing to the businesses is not their that core have business. their own It is designs, estimated especially that small in actual model will of eventually business bring business as much interaction profit remains as private to be customers, established. but One the Special of the possible models is to facilitate bulk orders. a orders are a type of offer available for all target groups. Bulk ordering is This around logistics service the service world type may and where come facilitates FabDigital with or the without delivery uses its consulting of knowledge a mediumsize and design of printing or services. large facilities order.

35 Large or medium business: it is unlikely that FabDigital will possess the printing 35 FabDigital capacities the second to stage fulfill of the business printing rollout, needs of due mediumsize/large to the limited resources. companies However, even at and logistic may support provide for consulting ordering services the prints to the from companies some industrial terms of printing design houses. In 10.5 Finland Market there survey: were existing no digital services textile and printing competitors plan companies was created as Spoonflower, although there Karmakraft, are services Fabric that on ondemand are demand. offered services Their internationally services the match time by such this least part of services that will be offered by FabDigital. at In worldwide: general Advanced there are two types of digital textile printing services that are provided design and webbased a selection services. for fabrics These to print services on. These typically services provide are targeting pattern Core interested the general in personalized consumer base: fabrics. crafters, designers and other individuals of fabrics textile to printing services. and better These prices services for contract may provide partners, a wider but selection they are The planning not open process for has general identified consumers. the following possible business strengths for FabDigital that will allow winning at least in the local Finnish market: Wide in Position local language in the local and market with local a payment home service methods. provider with services offered effective selection webbased of target user interface fabrics. If and FabDigital connect it can to provide wide fabric a good selection and Considerably Possibility printing for fabrics low designers prices. will be to Due a sell definite to their discount advantage. designs deals through with the printing FabDigital. facilities.

36 The listed strengths are valid in the case that FabDigital is the only digital textile 36 printer chances in to the work local profitably. market. Possible competitors decrease the chances of FabDigital The 10.6 mission Mission of of the the company company Private deployed customers the Internet comprise for three is private to groups: provide customers digital and textile small printing or mediumsize and consulting businesses. services Handcrafters who are generally interested in digital textile printing and who Onetime Designers, are using prints users, working ordering for their fashion hobby. digitally industry printed or in fabrics interior for design. gifts. the Business products top of customers in DTP larger capabilities. volumes. also fall For Business two example, groups. partners, photo Onetime who studios build customers, could some utilize value who this added order service. customized services on One of Service the key delivery success model delivery operational model. Most importantly, factors in this has business to address is a three lowcost issues: but low effective storage service subsection describes costs, fast each order of the delivery, items in and more easy detail. interface for the customers. This and system As service a service will for its also provider, customers be integrated FabDigital that with is accessible should bank facilitate payment by the an systems means easy ordering of and, Internet. eventually, and Internetbased order appended tracking beginning. with location capabilities is Finland, the pay credit by Visa card and payment MasterCard. methods However, will not since be implemented the primary rollout at the

37 Low storage and operational costs suppose finding the cheapest printing facility that 37 also capable have of digital an impact textile on printing the time in terms of the of both: delivery cost and case shipping. the printing However, facility it may is overbooked. printing selection will of the be For outsourced printing the initial house. stage and the the selection storage of is source not going materials to be an will issue be limited because to the It printing the is competitors also facilities crucial for in for the order the local service to markets. be able to be to able provide to make cheaper partnership service and deals differentiate with industrial from events. going Consulting However, services providing will be provided staff to work in terms as a of part both of onsite the customer's instruction team and is tutoring consulting to be a part of the service. Design services will be provided as part of not of their designs service. and Preflight color guides. issues for customers will be restricted printed samples the The initial Future roll out business strategy development own printing with the light overhead. for the However, business is because to provide of a an high Internet cost service for hosting for textile logistics or leased equipment the first phase of business deployment is focusing on one s house. The of the goal service. of the first Hence stage the is profits to establish will an shared initial with customer the actual base and digital to printing provide the information possible to predict for actual if the business second needs stage of in the business target development area. With these will be numbers profitable. will be The number impose second new of costs stage costs that includes for have storage, rolling do office out with the space, the printing outsourcing equipment facilities and maintenance shipping. Finland. It and However, will staffing. eliminate it will In a this level respect, for the service the second will be stage established. becomes feasible only if the constant need at a certain

38 The costs of the materials and production will decrease with increasing the number 38 orders. the growth. Some The investments cost of the in the materials promotion might of products also grow will as be a required result of in local order printing to help of facilities of fabrics deployment, for faster delivery. because that point FabDigital will need to have its own stock Limiting market. with high If factors the probability. business for the business These will become services development successful, will target are it possible will the prompt same competitors local customer competitor and base limited services and local competitors, conditions of a the limited market market for it could the textile eventually digital prevent printing further in growth. lessthanindustrial Even without markets applications of neighbour is fairly countries. limited. Eventually further growth will require expanding to Consulting department and is hard design to predict services or estimate. will be provided on demand but growth in this Predeployment Staffing service to One be of created the key and elements deployed of the before digital the textile service printing may become service operational. is the webportal. Because It has be a reasonably has many straight similarities forward to already task existing to deploy services such in a other portal. applications, It is reasonable it should the outsource the creation of the portal. to cooperation At the same discussed. time a contact The contents to printing of the facilities initial product will be catalogue established will be and decided. terms of An responsibility The estimated predeployment will need be managing is for estimated staff the in to the deployment last predeployment from four and to creating six months. period the product is one person catalogue. whose

39 Initial stage 39 During external user the sources. initial stage Most the of the service tasks will will be be operational, concerning the the printing product will catalogue be ordered and from need support. for staff in It the is expected initial deployment that some period consulting is one person. will also be done. The estimated the Further If customer development people. expansion and deployment base is established of printing and facilities, the amount FabDigital of orders will need covers a staff the of business improved Finally, order it to is important develop the to business note that further. printing Such facilities improvement will need constitutes to 3 be 4 additional costs and will probably result a need of investors or loans.

40 Cost revenue calculations Because Costs different and productivity deployment estimates 3 summary below. of all the relative costs stages and are businesscritical relying on a aspects different of cost the structure cost items there in table is a d e Table / 3. Businessmeaningful cost items. [3] d dhz D d e Z dd ddhz dd ddd dd dddhz ddddhz sd & W d e e D sd d dddhz dd ddl /d, /^W dd dddhz & costs Using for the each information stage and from the profitability the table above of the it core is possible business. to estimate the projected Critical Initial for the stage deal square with meter. a manufacturer The initial cost stage structure so is that to find the is the price cheaper following: for the manufacturer product 12 EUR would + or 23% to be get VAT about a + profitsharing 420 EUR EUR as per possible service charge to increase for FabDigital. the margin, With or to a decrease better the deal price from of the manufacturer service. it will be a

41 The initial stage does not require any other costs except for the ISP. Thus, the 41 additional to zero be too fee high, will the be margin there to for cover the the service ISP fee costs. could However, be decreased if the final to minimum price will prove service. as In the this main case, purpose profit of will the only initial be generated stage is to by estimate the consulting the client services base provided for or the to by FabDigital The second Second stage stage follows: expected return of will investment start if the will client be in base two years. has reached The costs certain will level be structured so that the Investment costs: as Annual costs: 50,000 1,500 EUR for for the two rent printing and services. units [3]. Monthly costs for 4,000 return EUR of as investment salary costs. With printing facilities it is possible to offer in two a competitive years are approximated price with the to profit be 8000 margin EUR. printing 9 10 /m². units Hence operational, the required the total volume printing of orders capacity monthly is estimated is about to 800 be m². 8m²/h. With Some both of difference be productivity lowvolume in rate the orders only nominal 60% and unit will of the capacity require estimated extra comes capacity time from to the setup will fact be and that utilized. produce. most of the Even orders with this will orders. condition To that extent, within two the years. facility However, will be it capable is a challenge of meeting to reach the the return needed of investment before entering In order stage to reach 2 of the deployment. target FabDigital must secure several industrial amount partners of

42 Special conditions 42 Current expected. calculated budgeting The second projections stage requires assume that full time during employment; the initial stage hence, the the salary salary is not consulting in. work Costs is not of calculated the business since promotion it is difficult are not to estimate included. the Income demand from at the is moment The initial Budget deployment summary outsourcing competitive solutions. the service. However, stage requires the profit the might expenses be small of 100 or close EUR to per zero month to provide and month. budget The second needs. It includes stage However, one of deployment salary. it constitutes With requires a 60% 800 m² load annual of on fabric the budgeting facilities to be printed of the about profit every 8,000 will month. cover EUR per the This 10.8 section Risk Analysis mitigation when risks measures lists do realize. the possible that Generally could risks be for risks used the fall to successful minimize into three deployment the categories: consequences of FabDigital deployment of situations and and the operation, customer base and competitors and supply chain This section Deployment lists the and deployment company and operation operation risks Risk: The company portal is not ready by the risks deployment of the company. load, or it requires constant support. time or cannot handle the

43 Severity: Medium. 43 facilitate Mitigation: Description: some The The valueadded site Internet has to portal services be designed will for be the used to users handle as a to customer issues enhance such their service as experience. password point. It recovery will also automatically. in mind. It has to be designed with the projected number of thousands of users Risk: Severity: Description: Printing Medium. Valid equipment for stage is disabled. equipment. deliver If the equipment two breaks when and FabDigital requires service, will be it hosting will impact its own the ability printing Mitigation: services. The initial decision to have two printers mitigates the severity of this risk to medium is operation. high. already. However, If one Disabled printing timely equipment device repairs gets and may is maintenance impact broken the it service has are to essential in be case repaired the for load as the of soon proper orders possible to minimize the risk of having all two printers down. as This section Customer lists risks base related and competitor to the customer risks Risk: The customer base is not big enough enter base and stage competitors 2 of the deployment. of the company. Severity: Description: the Low. orders service. However, Currently it it is is relatively possible that difficult after to some establish time the in number operation of the customers amount for Mitigation: will clearly There be are under a few the ways required to handle 800 m² this per risk month. if it realizes. The first way of aggressive modification promotional to the service, campaign. the In second worst is review case scenario, of pricing, the and company the third will stop is an its is service. However, in the initial stage the cost of it will be minimal.

44 Risk: New competitor on the market or new offer from an existing one. 44 Severity: Description: funding High. negative will start FabDigital to offer is vulnerable similar services to price for competition. much cheaper If prices, a competitor may with have enough Mitigation: effect Better on possible valueadded the deployment. services have to be built on top of the basic a digital very textile printing to keep customers interested in the service This section Supply lists chain supply risks Risk:Printing service takes chain too long, risks of or the cannot company. Severity: Description: High. It is possible that the service provider handle will the not volume have enough in the initial facilities stage. time Mitigation: to handle FabDigital the orders should from have FabDigital. a list of secondary service providers that could all the used keep occasionally the FabDigital's to double service for quality the primary high. provider. It may bring some extra costs but be

45 11 Conclusion 45 Digital optimizing introduced textile a couple printing of technology decades ago. has Initially come a driven long way by the since need the of time simplifying was first areas of application the sampling mass process, customization it has evolved and luxury into markets. a new technology with several and disciplines and Technologywise contributing it is to still digital a complex textile printing. process Print that head requires design, understanding ink chemistry, many great posttreatment quality of digital of textile fabric, print. design and prefligting are all influential achieving pre a market Yet, digital only textile parts of printing it have is been still a utilized relatively by new small technology. companies. In According the wide to consumer services the market to the only endusers. a few Internetbased companies were offering digital textile studying printing As created. printed a result According of this project to the a information business plan gathered, for a small the printondemand typical profit per service square has meter been a startup fabric to operate estimated with to its be own 810 printing EUR. In facilities this respect consisting it economically of two lowend feasible digital for of textile remains the service printing demand ink jet must printers exceed and 800 to achieve m² per zero month. balance For the within market two years. in Finland However, answer to be the determined question will if the be demand given will during meet the the initial required stage level. of The the definitive business it still deployment.

46 46 References 1 Brooks URL: [online]. Digital The Printing evolution Systems and progression Orangeburg, of digital New York; textile printing April Accessed 4 32 Gbadamosi Phillips T. Revolutionizing N. Fabrics a la textile mode. decoration PrintWeek and 2010; finishing (3):2526. technology Conference. [online]. Xennia Technology Talk given at Ltd: Textile Cannes; Coating November & Laminating with ink jet URL: RevolutionisingTextileDecorationNov2010sml.pdf Accessed 6 April 4 I.T. textiles URL: Strategies. [online]. Unfolding the frontiers and the future of digital printing on 5 Bowles Accessed M, 2 Isaac April C Publishing Ltd; Digital textile design. London: Laurence King 6 Miles Colorists; L, editor Textile printing. Bradford: Society of Dyers and 7 Ujiie H, editor. Digital printing of textiles. Cambridge: Woodhead Pub; 8 Kipphan H. Handbook of print media. Berlin: Springer; 2001.

47 47 9 King Originally KM. Emerging published technologies in AATCC Review, for digital Vol. textile 9, No. printing 8 by AATCC; [online]. URL: Accessed August April Smyth S. Introduction to digital printing. Surrey: Pira International Ltd; 11 Ink URL: 2 May jet printer [online]. Wikipedia; 20 June Accessed 12 Tseng industrial New York, MM, engineering. NY: Jiao Wiley; J. Mass Technology customization. and In: operation Salvendy, management. G. Handbook 3rd of ed. 13 Biemans URL: preflightingisimportant/2010/09/10/. R. Digital textile printing why Accessed preflighting 6 May is important [online]. 14 Mass URL: Accessed 20 June [online]. Wikipedia; Modified on 17 June Tippett URL: [online]. B. A analysis of rotary screen vs. digital textile printing Accessed 4 April 2011.

48 48 16 Susman advantage. GI, Oxford: editor. Integrating Oxford University design Press; and manufacturing for competitive 17 Fisher (ECIS); community J, Craig portals A. From [online]. websites European to portals: conference success on factors information business URL: Accessed 2 April systems Lancett [online]. URL: Accessed 20 April P. Client server advantages and disadvantages 19 URL: systems.html. Integrated payment Accessed services 24 April [online]

49 Sample of digitally printed fabric Organic cotton knit digitally printed at Spoonflower. Appendix 49 (1) 1