When it comes to placing advertising messages on textiles, creating exhibition stands with textiles, or producing printed bunting, then a rapid and simple method of doing this is often used today – digital printing. Due to its many advantages, it has also taken its place in the home textiles sector and over time moved into the contract field.

Digital printing is a process where the print image is transferred straight from computer to print machine. Direct transfer of the pattern onto the material means that, unlike the traditional process, no print templates are needed.

Trevira CS fabrics are well suited for digital printing, as they are for transfer printing. Using ink jet printers colour is placed on the material in liquid form. It is however necessary at all times to use dispersion dyestuffs and it is not possible to employ other dyestuffs, such as those in pigment form.

Why is digital printing so attractive for the home textile sector, and particularly for the contract field? The advantages are clear. There are first of all the benefits in terms of time and cost that come from working without templates. Then comes highly efficient use of colour. But the greatest advantage is the opportunity to realise individual customer wishes. This applies also to the trend towards greater individualisation in the hotel sector, which is beginning to appear in boutique and concept hotels especially. Digitally printed fabrics offer unlimited possibilities in design. On the one hand, there are no restrictions with regard to length. On the other, any type of visual input may be employed, so that even photo realistic effects can be achieved. In hotels, for instance, work is being done with digitally printed wall coverings that give rooms a changed perspective. Small runs are possible with digital printing and one can react faster to trend phenomena.

Firms employing this technique include for example Dickson, who originally used digital printing in creating advertisements and are now seeking to extend their presence in the contract market. The hotel room at Decosit sponsored by Trevira was designed by Michel Minne, also using digitally printed fabrics, in this case those made by Nelen and Delbeke. With this technique it was possible to repeat a particular motif on curtains, the bedspread and wall and ceiling coverings, creating a room that “tells a story”.

The front-runner and trendsetter in digital printing has to be Création Baumann who tackle the subject in a very creative way. The modern designs and unusual colour compositions of Création Baumann are particularly effective in digital printing. There are photo realistic motifs employed as well that always give interiors a special ambience. A Trevira CS fabric is used in textile room dividers, which is printed with blossoms and twigs, creating a totally fresh office feature with simple means.

The one disadvantage of digital printing is the speed. At present it is still slower than traditional methods of printing, and so is only suitable for smaller amounts of material. However, it can be taken for granted here that there will be further technical developments towards afaster process.

Trevira CS – a product with potential for innovation

The powerful brand and the variety of yarn products available are behind the success of Trevira CS, but today this is particularly based on innovative further processing on the part of customers, leading to extravagant and high quality materials. Innovation as a competitive advantage currently constitutes an important factor at all stages of the supply chain in retaining position in the market.

Innovations in the field of Trevira CS materials can develop in a number of ways. In the research and development field, for instance, Trevira is involved not only in the pure development of new fibres and yarns, but also with possible applications for our products. The company develops materials itself (prototypes) to ensure that a flow of fresh stimuli in product application reaches its customers. These demonstrate graphically the design possibilities that are on offer. Of course over the years there has always been a tendency to imitate the effects one can achieve with natural fibres. Shrink effects, melanges, linen or silk looks, they are all possible today and customers have been quick to seize every opportunity. The glow of silk, the matt effect of cotton and the textured character of linen can be found everywhere in present-day Trevira CS collections.

In addition, makers of Trevira CS fabrics have become more inclined towards experimentation. Alongside classic contract collections in muted shades, they are today opting for bold colour constellations for their flame retardant ranges. Here too Trevira, with its prototype collection, has put down clear markers. Last but not least, these collections make the way into the private market easier for Trevira CS fabrics.

Trevira CS manufacturers themselves have naturally been actively engaged as well. After the product succeeded in shaking off its polyester image, many customers discovered Trevira to be a creative material. Today well-known designers like Ulf Moritz and Kenzo are working with Trevira CS. The result is that for many years outstanding collections have appeared, operating at the highest level due to the creativity and innovation of our customers. Further evidence of this can be seen in the fact that some of them have gained design prizes with their Trevira CS fabric developments.