What is Digital Print on Fabrics?
We have a network with various Japanese textile printing (print processing) factories and will propose the most suitable printing method according to the product you want to make.
Our products are processed at a long-established textile printing factory in Japan, which has a rich track record for apparel manufacturers! We are confident of the quality.
Traditionally, fabric printing required plate-making, which required initial costs and plate-making turnaround time, making it difficult for apparel makers, unless they are of a certain scale, to casually plan their own original patterns.
With digital textile printing technology, it is now possible to produce in-house original prints in small lots and with short delivery times at low initial costs. Our company can propose fabric processing using the most suitable method for your project through our extensive network in the textile industry.
- Design data created in Illustrator or Photoshop can be printed on fabric.
- The difference from conventional silk screen printing is that there is no printing plate making, so there is no initial cost and printing can be done immediately. Small lots and short delivery times are possible.
- You can choose from a wide range of fabrics for printing ( PFP(prepare for print)). We can also propose SDGs-compliant PFP such as organic cotton and recycled polyester.
- In addition to various reactive dyes, disperse dyes, acid dyes, and other reactive dyes according to the material, we can offer digital printing with pigments and other optimal processing methods according to the material and the purpose of the project. We also offer digital printing with latex ink on special materials such as Tyvek and synthetic leather (fake leather).
Basic conditions for Digital Print on Fabrics
| Reference delivery time | trial printing, : approx. 1 week, mass production: approx. 8 working days |
| Basic Price | 1,000 yen～/m (for 50m or more) (*Print processing unit price (fabric cost not included). Smaller lots will be charged more.) |
| Available Materials | PFP(prepare for print) |
| MOQ | 1 piece (approx. 50 m) (*Minimum lot size is 5 m, but a small lot up-charge will be added separately.) |
| How to submit your design | Digital data in Photoshop format up to approximately 1 GB in file size is recommended. |
Digital Print on Fabrics method
Digital printing is available in pigment ink, dye ink, sublimation transfer printing, direct printing, and other types of textile printing methods. We will propose the most suitable processing method according to the customer’s project.
Direct dye inkjet printing
If you wish to print on natural fibers such as cotton and linen, or recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, we will print (textile printing) using direct dye inkjet printing.
What is Direct dye inkjet printing?
Printing (textile printing) is done by spraying dye ink directly onto the fabric using an inkjet printer.
After pre-treatment of the bleached fabric under printing and printing with an inkjet printer, the fabric is steamed at a high temperature to cause a chemical reaction between the dye and the fabric, which results in color development and fixation in the fibers. The texture is comparable to conventional printing methods because the fabric goes through a washing process and an arrangement process. Due to the large number of processes involved, it is difficult to provide an express delivery date.
Printable materials for dye direct inkjet printing
Printing is possible on almost all types of textiles by using reactive dyes (cotton, rayon, etc.), acid dyes (silk, nylon, wool, etc.), disperse dyes (polyester), and other compatible inks.
Printing is possible on both woven fabrics and jersey (knit fabric), but the post-printing process is different for woven fabrics and jersey, and generally speaking, there are fewer plants for jersey, so the turnaround time is longer and the cost tends to be higher.
Wool (especially thick fabrics) and silk (silk) are more difficult to wash and arrange after printing, and the delivery time is longer and the processing defect rate tends to increase.
Physical Properties of Dye Direct Inkjet Printing
It is in accordance with the standard for Japanese general apparel products. (*Wet rub fastness of dark-colored cotton is not good, regardless of the printing method. Please note).
Summary of dye direct inkjet printing features
- Printing (textile printing) is possible on a wide range of materials by using compatible inks.
- Various properties are compatible with the standards for apparel products. Texture is comparable to conventional printing (textile printing).
- Because the normal textile printing process is required, it is difficult to provide an express delivery date, and depending on the fabric, the degree of processing difficulty may increase.
Dye sublimation transfer inkjet printing
If you wish to print on polyester fabrics in small lots with short delivery times, we can print (textile printing) using sublimation transfer inkjet printing.
What is Dye sublimation transfer inkjet printing
The design is printed on the transfer paper by inkjet printing. Next, the printed transfer paper and the polyester bleached fabric under print are subjected to heat and pressure to “sublimate” and transfer print the design on the transfer paper onto the fabric.
Since there are only printing and transfer processes, the fabric is shipped to the factory and the production capacity is held, enabling a short delivery time. Since there is no washing process, no wastewater is generated, making it a sustainable processing method.
Since sublimation transfer printing does not involve a clearance process, it is not possible to create a texture. Depending on the fabric, the texture may feel hard.
Printable materials for sublimation transfer inkjet printing
Printable on polyester bleached fabric for printing.
Physical properties of sublimation transfer inkjet printing
Basically, it follows the standard for general apparel products. However, sublimation transfer inkjet prints are printed by sublimation at high heat, which may cause “re-sublimation” in a high temperature environment. Care should be taken when ironing at high temperatures, pleating at high temperatures, etc. We have prepared a document summarizing handling precautions, so please check it when placing your order.
Printing on ultra-wide fabrics and sublimation transfer printing with fluorescent ink are also available.
There is a high demand for printing on signs and banners, and we can also print on extra-wide fabrics longer than 3 m and process them at our factory, where we can use fluorescent ink for printing with good colors.
Summary of features of sublimation transfer inkjet printing
- We can print on polyester fabrics with short delivery times and in small lots.
- This is a sustainable processing method that does not generate wastewater.
- A wide range of printing is available, including printing on ultra-wide fabrics and printing with fluorescent ink.
Pigment direct inkjet printing
If you require an express response or if it is difficult to use dye direct inkjet for materials such as polyester/cotton blends, we can print using pigment direct inkjet.
What is Pigment direct inkjet printing
Printing (textile printing) is done by directly spraying pigmented ink onto the fabric with an inkjet printer.
Pigment ink is printed on the bleached fabric by an inkjet printer. Unlike the method in which dyes chemically react with the fabric to produce colors, pigment ink is adhered to the fabric by a binder (glue).
Therefore, it is possible to print without worrying about the material. Also, the process is less time-consuming, so it can be done in a relatively short period of time.
The disadvantage is that the texture of some fabrics may feel hard due to the presence of binder.
Since there is no washing process, no wastewater is generated, and it can be said that this is a sustainable processing method.
Printable materials for pigment direct inkjet printing
Basically, all materials can be processed. However, materials such as water-repellent materials and synthetic leather, on which the ink will run, cannot be printed. Also, materials that are sensitive to heat, such as Tyvek, are not suitable for printing because of the heat-setting process required to improve fastness. (In some cases, latex ink can be used for printing, so please consult with us.)
Physical Properties of Pigment Direct Inkjet
Pigment direct inkjet tends not to have good rub fastness in wet conditions, especially for dark colors, and may not meet the quality inspection standards of some department stores. In some cases, it may be necessary to take measures such as adding a demerit notation. Please consult us when placing an order.
Thick pigment ink for printing on dark-colored fabrics
Some printers are capable of thick coating. It is possible to print light colors on dark-colored fabrics and designs with an uneven texture.
Summary of pigment direct inkjet printing features
- Printable on a wide range of materials, including blended fabrics, with short delivery times and in small lots
- Since attention must be paid to physical properties, applications such as making samples are recommended.
- Sustainable processing method that does not generate wastewater.
About fabrics for Digital Print on Fabrics (PFP(prepare for print))
Basically, any fabric that is sold as a bleached fabric for printing (P-bleached fabric) can be used for printing.
(*Commonly available white fabrics are dyed and processed, and are not bleached fabrics for printing.)
We will discuss your product image with you and make the necessary arrangements. If the fabric is brought in by the customer, we will investigate whether it is printable or not for the first time after charging a fee for bringing in the fabric.
Submission of data for printing (pattern)
The data must be in accordance with the format of the textile printing factory’s printer. If you submit data created with software such as Photoshop or Illustrator, we will convert the data at the factory. Converted data will be stored at the factory for two years from the final processing date, so repeat production is possible.
Data Rules for Submission
- Please submit data in Photoshop format (tiff, psd). If you only have data in illustrator data format (ai) or jpg data, please contact us.
- Please also send jpg data for confirmation. In some cases, data may look different depending on the software version. Therefore, we will check the data with jpg data.
- Please create data for one repeat (one feed) in both the horizontal and vertical directions. If you want to specify the feed point strictly for the width of the fabric, please check the fabric to be printed and create the data according to the effective width of the fabric. (*When creating the feed data, please make sure that anti-aliasing is not applied to the top, bottom, left and right edges.)
- (*Please make sure to send the data with the layers merged.
- The resolution will vary depending on the illustration style of the design and whether the fabric used can be printed delicately. Some customers who wish to have delicate prints may submit data with a high resolution, but since the data is printed on fabric, even if the resolution is increased, it may not be reflected in the finished product. We also recommend that the maximum file size is 1 GB or less. (*Files larger than 1 GB will incur a separate up-charge. The maximum file size is 2 GB.
- The upper limit in the vertical direction is up to 5 meters.
Submission Method
We will provide you with the URL for submission at the time of order placement. If you prefer, you can also submit your work via online storage of your choice.
Delivery Time of Digital Print on Fabrics
Delivery time for dye sublimation transfer inkjet prints and pigment inkjet prints
As a rough estimate, it takes about 1 week to 10 days for sample print production, and about 10 business days for mass production, but this will vary depending on the difficulty of processing each material and factory congestion.
Delivery time for reactive dye inkjet printing
Basic delivery time
- Pre-bleaching process (when input from raw machine): approx. 1 week to 10 days
- Printing pre-treatment (when submitted under P): approx. 1 week to 10 days
- sample printing: approximately 1 week to 10 days
Print pre-treatment and standard fabrics are available at the factory, so if you use those fabrics, the delivery time for under-bleaching and print pre-treatment will not be required.
Please check with us in each case as it depends on the difficulty of processing each material and the factory’s busyness.