Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Are Bio-Based Plastics the Answer to Increased Sustainability? The Jury Is Still Out…New Research Is Encouraging, but Consumer Behavior Also Has an Important Role to Play

Published February 22, 2021

A push toward a more sustainable textiles and apparel industry is underway, largely driven by consumer demand, and, to some extent, by brands who are working to restructure their supply chains post-pandemic. Key considerations include not only the adoption of more digital technologies, about which we have written extensively, but also the further development of fabrics created from bio-based materials, and a significant change in consumer behavior with respect to their wardrobes. Learn more about the pros and cons of bio-based materials, some of the emerging developments, and behavior changes that can reduce your personal textiles-based environmental impact.

Textiles Expert Lewis Shuler Talks About the Analog-to-Digital Transformation Underway in Textiles and Apparel

Published February 22, 2021

Lewis Shuler has worked at several well-known apparel brands and also spent 10 years working in China. He has tremendous insight to share about the current state of the industry and what it will take to accelerate both the analog-to-digital transformation and re-shoring of manufacturing. He also shares his thoughts on emerging technologies such as solid color spray dyeing.

Runway Kit: Making Manufacturing Easy for Designers and Entrepreneurs

Published February 15, 2021

Runway Kit, a subsidiary of Sri Lanka-based MAS Holdings, was established in mid-2019 with the goal of providing professional manufacturing support to designers and entrepreneurs. Either starting from basic provided designs or from the ground up with a custom design, Runway Kit works with designers to create professional quality tech packs to enable manufacturing with them or with another manufacturer, with minimum order quantities as low as 100. Nethmi Wickramasuriya, Digital Launch Entrepreneur, explains.

Trade Shop National Print Wholesale Sees Positive Future Outlook

Published February 8, 2021

A relatively new company, founded in Atlanta in 2016, National Print Wholesale, gained about 30% of its business from trade shows and exhibits prior to the pandemic. In this interview, Whit Copley explains how the company has pivoted to deliver new applications and find new customers during the pandemic and shares his positive outlook for 2021.

Virtual Events: The Pros and Cons

Published February 1, 2021

2020 and a good part of 2021 will be seen as the time of virtual events. It was either that or put everything on hold, which clearly was not an option. There was great hope that we would be back to in-person events by spring of 2021, but one by one, scheduled events such as drupa and Interpack, FESPA, TechTextil/TexProcess, and more were either cancelled, converted to virtual events, or postponed until late summer or fall. We spoke to a number of folks—organizers, sponsors and attendees—to get their views about the value of these events. We also included some virtual event questions in a broader survey.

Exclusive: Key Highcon Executives Share Updates and Vision of the Future

Published January 25, 2021

In this video interview, Shlomo Nimrodi, CEO, and Simon Lewis, VP Marketing, of Highcon, along with their newest addition, Alon Bar-Shany as Chairman, discuss the current state of Highcon following its very successful IPO, the target customer base, some of the changes driven by the pandemic, and their vision of the future in a dynamic, interactive discussion. Following this interview, Highcon and EFI announced a global partnership benefiting their common core of customers with ERP integration; Highcon also has a similar partnership with HP Indigo—and a common core of customers—where integration of print and finishing has offered many benefits.

Does Poshmark’s Overperforming Portend a Shift for the Apparel Industry?

Published January 18, 2021

Poshmark (ticker: POSH) shares entered the public market last week, with shares soaring nearly 142%, opening at $97.50 and hitting a high of $104.98, with a Thursday close at $101.50, making it up 141.7%. This kind of feels like the 90s dot-com boom. Will it lead to a bust? The Poshmark CEO thinks not.

Security Printing: A Tricky Business

Published January 18, 2021

Jim Fleet, CEO of Ashton Potter, talks about how security printing differs from other types of printing in this interview by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne. Using flexo, offset, and intaglio, plus serialization and track-and-trace technologies, Ashton Potter delivers a unique service.

COVID-19 and the Shift in Packaging Requirements

Published January 5, 2021

Mike Scrutton, Adobe's Director of Print Technologies and Strategy, shares his thoughts on changes in packaging, for both brands and converters, as a result of the increased use of ecommerce due to the pandemic, conditions he believes will continue to prevail post-pandemic.

Will the Humble Silkworm Soon Be Out of a Job?

Published January 4, 2021

If you are interested in textiles and how they are woven through human history (pun intended), The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World is a well-written and very informative history of how fabrics have been part of human history from the beginning. In this article, we take a look at silk—not it’s history so much, but at where it might go from here.

Domanda Lets Consumers Apply Professional Designs to Almost Anything

Published January 4, 2021

Kristen Dettoni founded Design Pool as a way to make her textile designs available to other designers and developed a network of printers who can execute those designs. More recently, she founded Domanda, an online store that enables consumers to use professional designs on a wide range of home goods. She talks about why she started these businesses, what she has been able to achieve, and how the pandemic has affected the demand for these types of services, especially in home and commercial decor.

Adobe's Mike Scrutton Discusses Print Redefined

Published December 17, 2020

Ever since Gutenberg, print and its uses have continued to evolve. That's true today as well, and that evolution has likely been accelerated by the pandemic. Hear what Adobe's Mike Scrutton, Director of Print Technology and Strategy, has to say about where we are with print today, where it's going, and how printing companies can take advantage of new opportunities offered by this continuing evolution.

Mimaki's Mike Maxwell Shares Update on Mimaki Solutions for Signs/Display Graphics

Published December 17, 2020

Mimaki offers a broad portfolio of solutions for the sign and display graphics market. Mike Maxwell, Senior Manager–Corporate Strategic Development at Mimaki U.S., provides a look at the range of applications customers are producing, including how customers can incorporate 3D printing into the sign and display graphics businesses.

AATCC Update and Industry Outlook: Q&A with Executive Vice President Diana Wyman

Published December 16, 2020

Cary Sherburne talks to Diana Wyman, Executive Vice President at the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), about the state of the association, the occasion of its 100-year anniversary, and its upcoming plans.

Marc Olin on Life After EFI

Published December 15, 2020

Marc Olin co-founded ProGraph in 1989 right out of college and has stayed with the same company through its many iterations since, through formation of PrintCafe and acquisition by EFI. Effective December 1, 2020, Olin has left EFI to explore his next chapter. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Olin to revisit history and get a look toward the future for this industry veteran who has contributed much to the industry over the years.

Textiles in 2020: A Year Like No Other

Published December 15, 2020

The COVID crisis laid bare the weaknesses and fragility of the textiles supply chain, and brought to the fore a renewed interest in and need for digital textile production and more environmentally sustainable practices. Cary Sherburne takes a look back at the year in textiles.

Brother's Rick Frye Talks Sewing Automation

Published December 15, 2020

Sewing is often referred to as the "last mile" in the manufacture of sewn goods in terms of an overall automated workflow. Huge progress has been made in the level of automation, and an operator can be quickly trained to execute sewing of some types of items. But the fine work of sewing apparel is still out of reach. Rick Frye shares his thoughts about the current state of sewing automation, and describes Brother's new Bridge sewing technology.

Shutterfly and HP Discuss Recent Landmark Agreement for Indigo Digital Press Rollout

Published December 15, 2020

Cary Sherburne speaks with Dwayne Black, COO of Shutterfly, and Haim Levit, General Manager, HP Indigo. Shutterfly, the US-based online personalized products and photo leader, last month signed a landmark agreement with HP Indigo for more than 60 new HP Indigo digital presses, as it expands its capabilities to supply the growing demand for printing photo memories.

AATCC/PRINTING United Alliance Host Successful Digital Textile Printing Conference

Published December 14, 2020

As was the case with so many events this year, the Digital Textile Printing Conference, hosted by AATCC and the PRINTING United Alliance, was held virtually over two days. The inability to meet in person didn’t stop these organizations, their speakers, and attendees from spending quality time reviewing the latest trends and looking ahead to 2021 and beyond.

Michael Makin Looks Back and Ahead

Published December 14, 2020

In this discussion, Michael Makin talks about his experience in the SGIA/PIA merger that created PRINTING United Alliance, the benefits for PIA Affiliates, and the industry of the merger and his view of the future of the industry.

Mimaki Brings Digital Textile Printing Versatility to North America with Hybrid Fabric Printer

Published December 10, 2020

Victoria Harris, Textile Specialist at Mimaki USA, discusses the Mimaki TX300P-1800 MKII hybrid printer, which easily switches between pigment ink printing for direct to fabric and dye-sublimation inks for printing on heat-transfer paper, as well as other digital textile printing solutions from Mimaki.

EFI Reggiani BOLT Wins an InterTech Award

Published December 10, 2020

Adele Genoni, General Manager of EFI Reggiani, talks to Cary Sherburne about EFI Reggiani’s BOLT being awarded an InterTech Award—the first textile product to win an InterTech Award.

APTech and Innovatis Group Join Forces to Better Serve the Industry

Published December 9, 2020

Thayer Long, President of the Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech), and Eric Hawkinson, Senior Vice President at Innovatis Group, explain APTech's partnership with Innovatis Group to enable the association to broaden its offerings and increase its value to its members and to the industry.

Executive Q&A with EFI: Chief Revenue Officer Frank Mallozzi Shares the Latest Updates

Published December 8, 2020

Cary Sherburne talks to EFI’s Frank Mallozzi about the launch of the second-generation Nozomi digital corrugated press, its trade event plans, and winning an InterTech Award for the EFI Reggiani BOLT digital textile printer.

How Much Sewing Automation is Enough?

Published December 7, 2020

Manufacturing automation in textiles and apparel is moving ahead apace, accelerated by advances in digital technology. But the remaining “last mile,” sewing, continues to be a barrier to reshoring of apparel manufacturing on a large scale. This article explores some of the efforts underway to automate sewing and what impact that could have on the future of apparel manufacturing in North America and Europe.

Adapting to Today's Virtual World: An Interview with EFI's Frank Mallozzi

Published December 7, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many things, not the least of which are trade shows and other in-person events. EFI's Chief Revenue Officer Frank Mallozzi talks about the company's decision to pull out of drupa 2021, its creation of a virtual event, EFI Engage, to replace EFI Connect 2021, and shares an update on the EFI BOLT including talking about its recognition with an InterTech Award. (Note: This video was recorded before drupa announced its cancellation of the 2021 event.)

OnPoint Manufacturing and Gerber Join Forces to Launch Eloise.Fashion

Published December 7, 2020

Entrepreneur and innovator Kirby Best has been working with Gerber to make on-demand fashion design and manufacturing tools more accessible to designers and brands, especially smaller organizations that have found the cost of these tools to be a barrier. The result is Eloise.Fashion, where designers can leverage tools and technology to create designs, prepare them for manufacturing, and connect with manufacturing facilities such as OnPoint Manufacturing. Kirby explains it all in this video.

Sustainability Efforts Escalate in the Textiles and Apparel Supply Chain

Published November 30, 2020

As we wrap up 2020, let’s take a few minutes to look back over what has been a difficult year and highlight a bright spot for the textiles and apparel industry: increased efforts to reinvent the textiles and apparel supply chain, which has been hard hit by the pandemic and the resulting economic disruptions. Inside that effort is an increased focus on sustainability from both establish brands and suppliers and new emerging players.

How ISAIC Is Moving the Textiles Industry Forward

Published November 30, 2020

Jennifer Guarino, CEO and Chair of the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), based in Detroit, explains the multitude of programs the organization has in place to attract and train new industry talent, manufacture sewn goods such as masks and gowns, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and more, and to implement the newest technologies.

Printing Industries Releases 2020 Wage and Benefit Report

Published November 19, 2020

Printing Industries released its annual Wage & Benefits Report and it contains a wealth of great information for print service providers, with input from more than 500 companies across North America. In this video, Teresa Campbell, President of PIA Mid America, and Steve Bonoff, President of Printing Industries of the Midwest, explain some of the trends uncovered. More information will be provided in a webinar on December 15, 2020.

John Lacagnina on the Past, Present, and Future of Digital Print

Published November 17, 2020

John Lacagnina is a digital printing pioneer whose company Entire, founded in the 1980s, was the first to connect high-speed production digital printers to networks for document printing where before they had been connected only to mainframes. He has a rich heritage of innovation between now and then, and most recently started a 3D printing company. Here what he has to say about the past, present, and future of digital print.

Graphco’s Chris Manley Paints a Positive Picture for the Printing Industry

Published November 16, 2020

The pandemic and the economic and political uncertainty have cast a pall on many aspects of our lives. But it’s not all bad news. Graphco President Chris Manley joins the chorus of voices that sees growth and opportunity in printing—some going as far as to call it the Golden Age of Printing. Here’s how Manley explains it.

Ricoh Ups Its DTG Game with the Ri-2000 Printer

Published November 16, 2020

Christian Compera, Deputy General Manager, Industrial Print Business Group, Ricoh, shares his thoughts on the digital printing opportunity in textiles, why Ricoh chose to enter the direct-to-garment (DTG) space, the family of printers it now offers, and where Ricoh may go in the future with regard to digital textile printing.

Fabscrap Founder & CEO Jessica Schreiber Talks Sustainability

Published November 12, 2020

And she's doing a lot more than just talking. Schreiber participated on a Smithers Digital Textile Printing Conference panel, sharing her thoughts on recycled fabrics, textile waste and sustainability. In this video, she explains how Fabscrap is working in a number of creative ways to minimize the amount of fabric waste that goes to landfills.

Chris Manley of Graphco Shares a Positive Industry Outlook

Published November 10, 2020

In this interview with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne, Chris Manley, President of Graphco, shares his business experiences during the pandemic, including equipment sales driven by growth in book printing and direct mail, as well as the company's unique Ready to Rebound program.

Digital Textile Printing 2020 Overview: AATCC and PRINTING United Alliance Digital Textile Printing Conference Goes Virtual

Published November 9, 2020

There is no question 2020 has been an unusual year across the board, and especially in the textiles and apparel industry. As the year comes to a close, be sure to attend the 2020 Edition of AATCC and PRINTING United Alliance’s Digital Textile Printing 2020 conference, packed full of the information you need to finalize your plans for a successful 2021 and beyond. Check out the details.

Seattle-Based RPI Finds Business Success in B2B and B2C Personalized Products

Published November 9, 2020

In this interview, CEO Rick Bellamy talks about how his company is structured, some of the recent acquisitions he has made and why, the impact of the pandemic on his business, and why he thinks we are in "the golden age of print."

Digital Technology Changing the Face of Fabric Printing

Published November 5, 2020

At the Digital Textile Printing Conference hosted by Smithers, Jena Nesbitt, Product Strategy Director for Oregon-based Pine Crest Fabrics, presented a session on how digital printing has affected the ability of small manufacturers and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands to develop trend right textile designs quickly and inexpensively. In this video, she talks about how digital printing technologies have changed the game for her business and her brand owner customers.

Springs Creative Team Shares Latest Developments for Designers and Brands (Part 2)

Published November 3, 2020

In part 2 of this video interview, Kathryn Lawrie, Kathy Phillips and Cathy Valent share more of the latest developments at Springs Creative, including new acquisitions for its Baxter Mill archive, an increased focus on fabrics and designs for home decor, and its ability to help designers and brands find inspiration when traveling around the world to find new ideas has become difficult during the pandemic.

Lilly Pulitzer Gains Valuable Capabilities with Digital Fabric Printing

Published November 2, 2020

The story of how Lilly Pulitzer got started as a fashion designer is fascinating, and so is the story of how the company has leveraged digital printing technologies to streamline its workflow and unleash increased design creativity. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Margaret Getty, Lilly Pulitzer Senior Associate for Woven Fabric and Trim, to learn more.

North Coast Litho Continues Digital Journey with iJetColorPro Envelope Press from Printware: Investment Decision Fueled by Need for Quality, Productivity

Published November 2, 2020

North Coast Litho devoted a great deal of time and effort in assessing digital printing options, waiting until it could find solutions that met its extremely high quality requirements and that of its customers. It found that quality level in digital presses, acquired in 2011 and 2016, but only recently was able to find the same level of quality in an envelope press, acquiring the iJetColorPro from Printware in 2020. General Manager Bob Strohmeyer explains in this article, sponsored by Printware.

Lilly Pulitzer Increases Agility, Reduces Lead Time with Digital Technologies

Published November 2, 2020

Margaret Getty, Senior Associate, Woven Fabric and Trim, for Lilly Pulitzer, shares the company's founding story and talks about how it has evolved over the years, most particularly, how digital design and print technologies have helped the company carve significant cycle time out of its go-to-market process.

A Wrinkle in the Plan: Is Cut-and-Sew a Barrier to Reshoring in the Textiles Industry?

Published October 28, 2020

Fashion and apparel brands are trying to reshore textile production, but the finishing part of the process is proving challenging: cut-and-sew. Automation has its limitations, and skilled sewists are hard to come by domestically. Cary Sherburne looks into some of the solutions to these challenges.

How the Pandemic is Affecting the Textiles Supply Chain...Or Is It?

Published October 26, 2020

Even before the pandemic, there was lots of discussion about how the textiles and apparel industry needed to re-examine its supply chain both for increased efficiencies and to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. Has the pandemic accelerated this? Learn more.

Springs Creative Team Shares Latest Developments for Designers and Brands (Part 1)

Published October 26, 2020

In the first part of a two-part video interview, Kathryn Lawrie, Kathy Phillips and Cathy Valent share the latest developments at Springs Creative, including new acquisitions for its Baxter Mill archive, an increased focus on fabrics and designs for home decor, and its ability to help designers and brands find inspiration when traveling around the world to find new ideas has become difficult during the pandemic. (Look for part 2 of this interview next Monday, 11/02.)

Talking Textiles: The Supply Chain, Sustainability, and the Impact of Digital Technologies

Published October 21, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis has upended the fashion industry, but it has also given the industry an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent itself for the better. Texintel CEO Debbie McKeegan discusses the supply chain, sustainability, and the impact of digital technologies on textile production.

Ricoh Expands its Direct-to-Garment Offerings with New Ri 2000 Printer

Published October 19, 2020

Back in early 2016, Ricoh acquired AnaJet, a leader at the time in direct-to-garment (DTG) printing. Since that time, the company has continued to develop its DTG portfolio, recently adding a new, more productive printer to its line. We spoke with Deputy General Manager for Ricoh’s Industry Print Business, Christian Compera, to learn more.

AATCC Update: What's New and What's Coming

Published October 19, 2020

AATCC Executive Vice President Diana Wyman shares the latest AATCC updates, including initiatives that will be considered at the association's November virtual committee meetings, the availability of a PPE monograph on efficacy of various types of masks, sustainability, and more.

Why RPI’s Rick Bellamy Thinks We Are in the Golden Age of Print…and Much More

Published October 12, 2020

Seattle-based RPI recently made several acquisitions, actions that caught our eye in light of the uncertain times we find ourselves in. We reached out to CEO Rick Bellamy to get an update on RPI, the strategy behind the acquisitions, and Bellamy’s general feelings about the industry at large.

Independent Digital Printer ISS Discusses Its Conversion to an AlphaGraphics Franchise

Published October 12, 2020

Jeff and Eric Schwarz chose to convert their independent digital printing company, ISS, to an AlphaGraphics franchise in the summer of 2019. In this interview, they share their reasons for making the change and what it has meant for their business.

Softwear Automation Sewbots: The Future of Apparel Manufacturing?

Published October 5, 2020

The sewing process has often been described as the "last mile" of apparel manufacturing automation. In this interview, Palaniswamy "Raj" Rajan, Chairman & CEO, Softwear Automation, talks about how sewbots, and in particular the sewbots the company is manufacturing, have the ability to automatically manufacture T-shirts today in amazing quantities, with a few toward being able to expand this capability to other apparel types in the future. He also shares projections about when the technology will be more commercially available.

AATCC Webinar Series Sheds Light on Textile-Related Testing for PPE

Published September 28, 2020

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has a robust program of educational webinars. Most recently, the organization has sponsored a series of three important sessions related to testing and standards for PPE, especially important during this COVID-19 pandemic which shows no signs of ending. Of particular interest to our readers is a Duke University research project that developed a low-cost method for testing the efficacy of facemasks.

Innovations in Textiles: Viscose Made from Recycled Cotton

Published September 28, 2020

Lux Research Analyst Anthony Schiavo reports on the work being done by Europe-based Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research and Swedish company re:newcell to create viscose filament yarns from recycled cotton, a process that can help reduce textile waste that ends up in landfills and improve the industry's sustainability. These yarns, he says, can be seamlessly inserted into existing fabric manufacturing processes in place of viscose fibers created using a less sustainable process.

Saint Louis Fashion Fund: Driving the Fashion Industry Forward

Published September 24, 2020

Susan Sherman, Co-Founder and Former Board Chair of the Saint Louis Fashion Fund, and Jon Lewis, who heads up Evolution St. Louis—a knit manufacturer— joined Senior Editor Cary Sherburne to discuss how the Saint Louis Fashion Fund is helping revitalize the fashion industry in St. Louis, once a fashion hub. The Fund also attracted Evolution and its advanced 3D knitting capabilities to the city.

Spoonflower CEO Michael Jones Shares Insights on Future of On-Demand Textiles

Published September 23, 2020

Spoonflower was a pioneer in the field of on-demand textile printing and production. As the rest of the industry races to catch up, new CEO Michael Jones is aiming to take Spoonflower to the next level. Cary Sherburne talks with Jones and senior vice president of research and development Kerry King about their vision for the future.

Are Living Clothes in Your Future? Designer Royal Aghighi Thinks They Should Be!

Published September 21, 2020

The textiles industry is a huge polluter. Although there are many sustainability initiatives at play, there is still more that can be done. Just ask multidisciplinary researcher Roya Aghighi. She’d like you to reimagine your wardrobe as living things. Find out what that means!

Long-time Marketing Expert David Murphy Shares Digital Marketing Strategies

Published September 21, 2020

David Murphy, who has run marketing for a number of industry companies including most recently HP, has founded a digital marketing agency, Nvent Marketing. In this video, he discusses the various ways smaller to mid-sized companies can leverage increased Internet usage to keep leads coming into the business during the pandemic and beyond.

Attracting New Talent: A 2020 Imperative

Published September 16, 2020

Jeff White, Director of Development for the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), provides an update on the status and activities of the organization in its efforts to educate students about the benefits of a career in print and graphics (including textiles), as well as the scholarships that are granted to those students. PGSF awarded 226 scholarships this year!

HP Indigo Ups the Ante for Quality and Productivity in Digital Print

Published September 15, 2020

In this article, sponsored by HP, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne provides an overview of the latest features of the HP Indigo 12000 and HP Indigo 15K digital presses, including innovations that take digital printing to a new level of quality and productivity. She also cites on-site experiences of two customers, L&L Printers and New London.

Long-Time Print Innovator and Serial Entrepreneur John Lacagnina Shares Thoughts on Past, Present, and Future of Print

Published September 14, 2020

I first crossed paths with John Lacagnina when he brought to market the world’s first network production printing solution through his company at the time, Entire. Over the ensuing years, he has continued to innovate and bring dynamic change to the industry. Learn more about his story, his thoughts about the industry, and what he’s up to today.

Mohawk Paper's Chris Harrold Explains the Renewal Line of Papers

Published September 14, 2020

Mohawk Paper, which has a long history of working toward sustainable manufacturing of fine papers, has introduced its Renewal line of papers. It is using hemp and straw fibers in two paper lines, with 30% hemp or straw content. Even more interesting is its 100% cotton fiber Renewal paper. Senior Vice President of Marketing & Creative explains how the line came about and its contribution to Mohawk's sustainability footprint.

Sewing Automation: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?

Published September 10, 2020

Frank Henderson of the Henderson Sewing Company is the third generation running this family business and has been doing so for the last 40 years. He has an extensive amount of experience to share, including what's being done to accelerate reshoring of manufacturing of sewn products, how his company interacts with others in the industry to create innovative workflows, and what he sees as future developments in sewing, robotics, and workforce development.

Industry Veteran Aviv Ratzman Founds Compack, a New Web-to-Pack Portal

Published September 8, 2020

Aviv Ratzman, who spent time at HP Indigo and co-founded Highcon, starts a new venture today. Compack (Com-Pack.net) is an online solution that enables brand owners to compare and choose suppliers who provide on-demand custom packaging services for both primary and secondary packaging. Ratzman explains the strategy behind the business in this video discussion.

Bringing Fashion Back to St. Louis

Published August 31, 2020

Did you know that St. Louis, Mo., was a fashion hub from the turn of the 20th century until the end of World War II? Now there are significant efforts to reestablish the city’s fashion prominence, led by the Saint Louis Fashion Fund. We spoke with co-founder Susan Sherman, and the CEO of high-tech knitting manufacturer Evolution St. Louis, Jon Lewis, to learn how their initiatives are progressing.

Tailored Industry: Revitalizing Knitting in Brooklyn

Published August 31, 2020

Alex Tschopp founded Tailored Industry with the vision of using 3D knitting machines to produce knitted garments on demand. After a period of educating brands and retailers about they benefit of on-demand production, they are now starting to take advantage of the service. He talks about progress to date and plans for the future.

“Circular Is the New Black”: Redefining the Fashion Industry

Published August 27, 2020

There has been a great deal of discussion here and elsewhere about how the pandemic has accelerated efforts to restructure the textiles and apparel supply chain, resulting in both companies exiting China for destinations such as Vietnam and India, as well as reshoring of textiles and apparel in the US and Europe facilitated by the growing availability of digital technologies that enable new ways to design, manufacture and distribute textiles and apparel. This article contains a review of a report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation: “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future.” Well worth reading in full!

Michael McDonald Shares Insights on Current and Future Sewn Products

Published August 27, 2020

Michael McDonald, President of Sewn Products Equipment and Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA), provides background on the organization and discusses the latest developments in cut-and-sew automation with an emphasis on the "last mile" of sewing. He also discusses the need to attract new talent to the industry and cites some of the activities that are helping to do so.

Augmented Reality: Revolutionizing the Value of Print

Published August 26, 2020

Augmented reality (AR) has played a somewhat limited role to date in the world of print and packaging, with its largest footprint in the digital world—but that may be about to change. Cary Sherburne looks at some recent AR-enabled catalogs developed by Paris and Montreal’s ARGO.

Pete Santora Shares Insight into the Future of Apparel Automation

Published August 24, 2020

Pete Santora has been working across a variety of industries to examine how automation can help reshore manufacturing and strengthen supply chains, especially post-pandemic. He shares his thoughts on automation in textiles and apparel in this video interview.

Epson Launches Its First Industrial-Class Dye-Sublimation Printer

Published August 20, 2020

Epson’s new SureColor F10070 sports new features and capabilities, sure to help spur growth in digital textile fabric printing. Cary Sherburne takes a look at this new printer.

More Innovation from Tom O'Brien: Flexible Packaging On Demand

Published August 17, 2020

Tom O'Brien, founder of AccuLink, now has a new business added to the mix. AccuFlex Packaging is producing flexible packaging on demand with a unique combination of an HP Indigo 20000, Color-Logic print embellishments, E-Beam lamination and pouching. This is a must-watch video for anyone in the packaging industry or any brands looking to produce vibrant and sustainable flexible packaging.

Managing Through the Pandemic: A Conversation with Frank Mallozzi, EFI's Chief Revenue Officer

Published August 12, 2020

Many employees at EFI, including Frank Mallozzi, have been working from home since March 14th, but it hasn't dimmed their enthusiasm for the company, their teammates, and their customers. Mallozzi shares some of the innovative ways EFI has turned to virtual work and offers advice to others who may be struggling with this during the pandemic.

EU Graphene Flagship Initiative Explores Innovative Graphene Uses

Published August 10, 2020

We’ve been following some of the research on graphene for some time now. Developments and innovations are continuing, especially in the European Union. Here we review the EU Graphene Flagship Initiative and some of the developments related to the textiles and apparel industry, including how graphene can affect advances in wearables.

How Much Do Your Jeans Mean to You?

Published August 3, 2020

Do you know how much water it takes to make a single pair of jeans? The answer will likely shock you. In this article, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne explores how a commitment to zero-waste fashion—and some emerging technologies—can save precious water and protect our planet yet still let us enjoy those comfortable jeans and other fashion items.

How Will the Pandemic Affect the Global Textiles & Apparel Supply Chain?

Published July 27, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many frailties in the global textiles and apparel supply chain but may also be a driver for brands, retailers and manufacturers implementing significant changes as we move into the post-pandemic "new normal," according to textiles expert Debbie McKeegan.

How Effective is Your Cloth Mask?

Published July 20, 2020

Most people understand there is a benefit to wearing a cloth mask to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. But with so many mask types available, how do you choose the most effective type? Senior Editor Cary Sherburne digs into the latest research on this topic.

Debbie McKeegan Talks Textiles Sustainability

Published July 20, 2020

Debbie McKeegan, textiles expert and CEO of Texintel, shares her thoughts on how digital technologies can help ameliorate the huge sustainability problem facing the textiles and apparel industry, suggesting that coming out of the pandemic, there may be unique opportunities to change operating practices.

Factory Automation for Printing Fabric On Demand Translates to Big Business for Raspberry Creek Fabrics

Published July 13, 2020

Diana Rammell wanted better fitting clothes but was disappointed in the selection of fabrics she could find. So she took matters into her own hands, founding Raspberry Creek Fabrics in 2010 to create more compelling fabric designs. When her dreams got a little out of control, her attorney husband, Justin, stepped in to help. Today, the company produces some 40,000 yards of custom fabrics every month and continues to grow.

Looking to Hire or Be Hired? Here's Some Expert Advice!

Published July 13, 2020

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spent time speaking with PrintLink executive search and professional placement experts for the graphic communications industry. Arnie Kahn, President, and Dino Scalia, Senior Vice President, shared their thoughts on a wide range of subjects, including what's changed with recruitment, skills that employers should be looking for, what candidates should focus on when looking at opportunities, and much more. They also discuss why it's important to consider hiring even during this difficult period.

Scott Schinlever Returns to EFI

Published July 8, 2020

In this video interview, Scott Schinlever, now COO for EFI's Global Inkjet Business, discusses his decision to return to EFI after 2.5 years with Gerber Technologies, what his organization looks like, what he learned at Gerber that will help him execute his new duties, and what the future looks like for EFI's inkjet business.

Trends Update: Textiles and Apparel

Published July 6, 2020

As we proceed into the second half of 2020, Cary Sherburne rounds up some of the top textile and apparel trends we have seen thus far this year.

The SGIA/PIA Merger Explained

Published June 23, 2020

On May 1, 2020, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and the Printing Industries of America (PIA) merged to become PRINTING United Alliance (PUA). Ford Bowers, President and CEO of the combined organization, reveals many of the details of the merger and what it means for members.

Will On-Demand Manufacturing Be the New Normal Post-Pandemic for Textiles and Apparel?

Published June 22, 2020

How much of the post-pandemic “new normal” will involve on-demand manufacturing for textile-based products? Already we are hearing from on-demand manufacturers that their businesses are seeing increased demand, both due to the pandemic-related supply chain disruption and a general move in the industry to more efficiency, less waste, and more sustainability. In this story, we provide examples of how an on-demand manufacturer is helping both startups and brands achieve these goals.

What Is the Role of the RIP in Process Automation and Supply Chain Efficiencies?

Published June 15, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the fragility of the global supply chain for textiles and apparel. This is driving brands and retailers to give more thoughtful consideration to how they can streamline that supply chain, bringing production closer to the point of use and eliminating at least some of the inventory risk inherent in the current process. In this article, we explore the role of the digital front end (DFE or RIP) for digital textile printers in making this a viable alternative to the current offshore bulk manufacturing of printed textiles and apparel.

Spoonflower Community Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic

Published June 8, 2020

With more than 1.8 million design options in its library, and with the availability of easy-to-use mask kits, Spoonflower and its designer community have responded in force to the need for masks, making more than 150,000 non-medical-grade fabric masks. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Michael Jones, Spoonflower’s new CEO, and Kerry King, Senior Vice President of R&D, to learn more about this outstanding response and to get an update on what’s new at Spoonflower.

Why Implement a Hybrid Flexo/Digital Printing Solution? G2 ID Solutions Has the Answer

Published June 2, 2020

Colordyne 3600 Series AQ – Retrofit Printer Powered by Memjet offers increased flexibility and 3X increase in job throughput for Florida-based label and packaging printer G2 ID Source.

Tailored Industry Converts 90% of Knitting Capacity to Unique Knitted Masks

Published June 1, 2020

Since it appears that masks will be part of our wardrobe for the foreseeable future, we continue to look for unique yet functional mask solutions and the companies that are converting their manufacturing operations to help address this critical need. We wrote about Tailored Industry last year, and recently heard they were knitting masks, so we checked in to get more detail.

Mattoon High School Student Abigail Carter Wins PGSF Poster AND T-Shirt Design Contest

Published May 26, 2020

Each year the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (www.pgsf.org) conducts poster and T-shirt design contests, accepting submissions from students around the country that are pursuing a career in graphic communications or a related field at a U.S. technical school or college. In 2020, Abigail Carter, a high school junior at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Ill., won in both categories.

AFFOA Continues to Make Progress on Fiber Computing Technologies

Published May 18, 2020

It’s been almost two years since we wrote about the work that Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) is doing to develop functional fiber computing solutions that will likely be the basis for moving us into Industry 5.0. Seems like we don’t even have Industry 4.0 under our belts, but technology does move fast these days! We spoke with the AFFOA team, including CEO Alexander (Sasha) Stolyarov, Chief Marketing Officer Eric Spackey, Senior Director of Business Development Natasha Spackey, and Chief Technology Officer Jason Cox, to get an update on what has transpired in the past two years.

Mimaki Expands Product Portfolio with 3D Printer, OKI Partnership, Dual-Ink-Set Textile Printer

Published May 11, 2020

In light of event cancellations during the pandemic, many companies are turning to virtual events to get their news out. Mimaki held a virtual press event recently, packed with industry news and announcing a five-week Virtual Print Festival to keep the industry informed and ready to move forward. We tuned in to learn more.

Ceramics Printing Goes Digital

Published May 6, 2020

Printing on ceramic objects is a great business opportunity for printers and sign shops of all sizes. Although there are multi-million-dollar ceramic printing systems on the market, the good news is that it can be easy and affordable to enter the market for short to mid-sized runs of decorated ceramic products. Senior editor Cary Sherburne explains how.

Kornit NeoPigment Robusto Softener Addresses Hand Feel Issues with Pigment Inks

Published May 4, 2020

As the textiles and apparel industry works to improve supply chain management and reduce its environmental footprint, many view pigment inks as the Holy Grail—print on any fabric, no need for pre- or post-treatment in many cases. What’s not to like? The hand feel, that’s what. Here’s what Kornit is doing to address that issue.

PrintFactory Offers Alternative Workflow for Display Graphics and Textile Printers

Published April 27, 2020

PrintFactory offers a RIP-based workflow for wide format printers in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. The company has about 17,000 active installations, supports more than 2,000 physical devices, and has about 40 employees. Find out more.

2019 Annual Print Franchise Review

Published April 22, 2020

Cary Sherburne provides our annual review of the print franchises. As these organizations work to adjust to the changing industry and business environment, they are all aggressively working with their franchises to add infrastructure for more efficiency, encourage the addition of new products, provide training and help franchisees looking for an exit strategy look for new potential owners. Combined, these five organizations generated $1.34 billion in revenues.

The Battle to Save the News Media in the Age of COVID-19

Published April 21, 2020

Access to honest news and investigative reporting is important in the best of times, but even more so in the worst of times, such as the battle against COVID-19 that is underway around the globe. While virtually all media organizations are under stress due largely to the evaporation of advertising revenue, none are seeing more stress than local news organizations, resulting in what is being called local news deserts. In this article, we look at some of the efforts underway to relieve some of this stress.

If the Shoe Fits… Volumental Uses 3D Scanning to Deliver Perfect Fit

Published April 20, 2020

As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping, brands and retailers are looking for ways to enhance the customer experience and to reduce product returns when the product the consumer receives doesn’t fit or otherwise doesn’t meet expectations. Volumental has an answer for shoe retailers and brands.

Neenah Coldenhove Brings Digital Transfer on an Industrial Basis to Natural Fiber Fabrics with Texcol® Digital Transfer Paper

Published April 6, 2020

One of the more popular means of digitally printing to fabrics is heat transfer dye sublimation where images are printed on a sublimation transfer paper and then processed through a heating unit (calender) to sublimate the image into fabric. Until now, this process has been limited to polyester or polyester blends. Neenah Coldenhove is addressing this shortfall with its new digital transfer paper for natural fibers.

Equipe Offers Custom Apparel for Brands, Sports Teams

Published March 30, 2020

A growing number of companies are popping up in North America that offer custom apparel produced on demand. This is an important supply chain shift, both from an environmental and economic perspective as weaknesses in global supply chains have increasingly come to the forefront. Not everything, of course, can be produced on demand. But companies like California-based Equipe are demonstrating that local production is not only feasible, but a viable alterative for a growing variety of apparel and home décor items.

Xeikon 2020: New Products in Every Supported Market Segment

Published March 30, 2020

On March 30, Xeikon unveiled its extensive plans for what was to be its drupa 2020 exhibit in an exclusive briefing for the media. Following the briefing, we spoke with Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s Vice President of Marketing, to gain deeper insight into the strategy behind these developments, how being part of Flint Group has benefited the company, and more. In light of the postponement of drupa till April of 2021, Xeikon is putting plans in place to support the industry with continued innovation during the balance of 2020.

Making Masks and Other PPE to Help with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published March 26, 2020

One thing about a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic is that it can bring people together to come up with creative ways to help. We are starting to hear stories about how players in the textiles and apparel industry are doing just that, converting operations to the production of much-needed masks and other PPE, and we wanted to share these inspiring stories with you.

Articles by Cary Sherburne