Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Minnows, Whales and Digital Technologies, Oh, My!

Published February 25, 2019

As the analog-to-digital transformation heats up for textiles, the opportunities for entrepreneurs heats up as well. Experience in transformations of other industries shows that not only do opportunities abound for entrepreneurs, but established businesses risk the most from non-traditional competition. We share some of their transformative stories in this article.

Why Legacy Publishers Struggle in the Digital World

Published February 21, 2019

Much has been written recently about the issues legacy publishers are facing as they try to navigate the digital world, including Jill Abramson’ book "Merchants of Truth." Setting aside the plagiarism charges, Abramson, formerly an editor at the New York Times, makes some excellent points. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne wanted to add her two cents’ worth in this article.

WeaveUp and JOANN Fabrics Make Ordering Custom Fabric Fast and Easy

Published February 18, 2019

An announcement from WeaveUp, a technology company offering digital print room solutions and customization tools for fabric, about its partnership with JOANN Fabrics, the leading fabric and craft retailer in the U.S., caught our eye. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne connected with Flint Davis, the company’s President, to learn more.

Jordache Leverages Browzwear 3D Solutions for 80% Reduction in Failed Fit Attempts

Published February 11, 2019

Once a 3D skeptic, Jordache Executive Vice President Shaul Cohen is now a true believer. Initially adopting 3D technologies from Browzwear to solve issues with getting fits right, Cohen not only achieved better fits and a rapid ROI, but is looking to expand its use of 3D technologies to solve other issues as well.

ShareCloth Looks to Facilitate On-Demand Apparel Manufacturing

Published February 4, 2019

ShareCloth has developed an integrated cloud-based solution that is designed to fill the gaps that exist in the apparel design and manufacturing ecosystem to facilitate profitable on-demand manufacturing of apparel, minimizing forced markdowns, overstocking, and waste. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with ShareCloth CEO Sergey Moliavko to learn more.

Browzwear 3D Enhancements Bring Added Functionality to Virtual Fashion Design

Published January 28, 2019

Browzwear began its life as a 3D solution dedicated to fashion. While the initial concept back in 1999 was to create a virtual dressing room, a concept that was ahead of its time, the company has pivoted to create a suite of 3D solutions for fashion that can have a positive impact on all phases of the supply chain. We spoke with Browzwear’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lena Lim, to learn more.

Sewbotics: The “Last Mile” in Automated Apparel Technology

Published January 21, 2019

As brands look to take time and waste out of the apparel design and manufacturing process, there is a strong focus on automation. Much progress has been made—yet the sewing stage has provided challenges. Softwear Automation is tackling that challenge with SewBots—robotics designed to automate the sewing process. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Softwear Automation’s Chief Commercial Officer, Pete Santora, to learn more.

RayWear Gives Cannabis Workers as Much Protection as the Plants

Published January 14, 2019

Do you use sunscreen when in the sun? Of course you do. But if you are working under the powerful lights used to artificially grow plants—say, legal cannabis—are you taking the same precautions? Because that light can be as dangerous—or even more dangerous—than sunlight. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Daniel Jordan, founder of RayWear Clothing Company, who has made it his personal mission to provide clothing that will protect cannabis workers from the harsh environments in which they work.

Big Opportunities for Small Design Houses

Published January 7, 2019

On a recent visit to Miami, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne stopped by to visit Carla Llull at House of Llull Atelier, an apparel design and manufacturing operation focused on delivering high quality swimwear. House of Llull is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

MakerBot Method Bridges the Gap Between Desktop and Industrial 3D Printing

Published December 11, 2018

MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys, has two primary missions: Helping to innovate in STEM education to better prepare kids for the future, and to help companies bring product to market faster. It is in this latter category that today’s announcement of MakerBot Method falls. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Forrest Leighton and Shawn Miely of MakerBot to learn more.

Cognizant Projects +148% Growth in Fashion Designer Jobs, Highlights the Future of Work

Published December 10, 2018

I was intrigued to read in a recent Axios newsletter that fashion designer jobs are expected to increase by +148%, according to Cognizant, a technology and business services company. I reached out to Ben Pring, who runs the company’s Center for the Future of Work, to learn more. And boy, did I learn more!

OnPoint Manufacturing and Gerber Technologies Announce FashionTech Platform 1.0

Published November 26, 2018

I first got to know Kirby Best when he was running on-demand book printer Lightning Source. And I was interested to see him turn up as Chairman at OnPoint Manufacturing, an on-demand garment manufacturer. We connected for a wide-ranging discussion at the recent Gerber Technology Ideation event, including the newly announced FashionTech Platform 1.0 initiative.

Textile Innovation in Rhode Island

Published November 20, 2018

Officially launched in September 2018, the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN) is another example of initiatives across the country that are working to revive the U.S. textile and apparel industry, both with innovations that improve efficiency and to reshore textile and apparel manufacturing. We spoke with RITIN steering committee chairman and CEO of textile company Trans-Tex Michael Woody to learn more.

EFI Reggiani Unveils the EFI Reggiani BOLT—World’s Fastest Digital Textile Printer

Published November 19, 2018

EFI Reggiani held a gala launch event for its new EFI Reggiani BOLT single-pass digital textile printer at Reggiani’s Bergamo, Italy, headquarters. Attended by nearly 300 media, customers, and potential customers, the event generated a high level of excitement. With high-quality print speeds of up to 90 meters per minute, this press looks to be a game changer for high-volume digital textile printing.

Austin Community College Seeks to Spur Industry Growth with Fashion Incubator

Published November 12, 2018

Austin Community College in Texas has launched an innovative Fashion Incubator with the goal of creating a real-to-industry learning environment in partnership with the City of Austin, Gerber Technology, and others. This is a unique approach to bringing new talent into the industry and giving new fashion-oriented businesses a jump start.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall…Innovative Digital Solutions for Fashion

Published November 5, 2018

The digital transformation in textiles and apparel is well underway. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne writes about the drivers for this transformation and how fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff is leveraging digital technologies in unique ways.

New EFI CEO Bill Muir Conducts Third Quarter Financial Analyst Call

Published October 31, 2018

With its new CEO in place for just two weeks, I wanted to tune in to the company’s third quarter financial analyst call to get a feel for his approach to the business. This brief article summarizes what I heard and my thoughts on EFI moving forward.

Ariel Swedroe: Best Fashion Story Ever!

Published October 29, 2018

What were you thinking about at eight years old? Probably not the career that would be your life’s passion! That’s when Ariel Swedroe began her fashion career. At Age 11, she began exploring digitally printed fabrics. Today, at age 15, she has a full-fledged fashion business. But she’s not stopping there! You’ll love this story.

Adobe Project Paras Extends Photoshop CC Textile Design Capabilities

Published October 29, 2018

Designers in textiles and apparel typically use Adobe products to create their designs. But until now, there have not been textile-specific tools to make the task easier. To address this, Adobe has announced Project Paras, a set of tools that allow designers to stay within Photoshop CC and reduce the number of steps required to complete and preview a design. We spoke with Adobe to learn more.

Kornit Brings HD Direct-to-Garment Printing to Mid-Sized Businesses with Storm HD6

Published October 22, 2018

Since launching its high-end Avalanche HD6 direct-to-garment printer and HD upgrade to most Avalanche systems with RAPID ink technology in the first quarter of this year, Kornit Digital has installed or upgraded a whopping 150 HD systems. Now the company has brought HD direct-to-garment technology to within reach of smaller businesses with the launch of the Storm HD6.

Gerber Technology’s Ideation an Inspirational Event for Textile Design and Manufacturing

Published October 15, 2018

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne recently traveled to Miami Beach to join more than 300 people at the Gerber Technology Ideation event, the company’s software users’ group. This educational and networking event is in its 20th year. The enthusiasm among the more than 240 customers and prospects in attendance reflects the efforts the company has made to listen to customers and stay ahead of the trends.

Microban Scentry and Scentry Revive: Innovations in Odor Control for Textiles

Published October 8, 2018

Microban recently released Scentry Revive, the second generation of a unique odor control fabric finish that was developed in response to brands seeking a more innovative approach to odor control. This approach could reduce the number of times a piece of clothing needs to be washed, its primary environmental benefit.

Is Graphene Really a Miracle Material?

Published October 2, 2018

A great deal is being written about graphene, in textiles and other industries. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne talked to Vorbeck Materials Corp. President & CEO Dr. John Lettow to learn more about what many are characterizing as a miracle material.

Taking Stock of Industry Associations: Part Two

Published October 1, 2018

Last summer, we took a look at the state of industry associationswith the goal of reminding our members about the many resources available to them to help move their businesses forward. By popular demand, we are now presenting Part Two in order to cover additional organizations that were not included in Part One. I’m sure there are still more!

@PRINT18 Adds New Dimension to PRINT 18 Trade Show

Published September 28, 2018

PRINT18 offers the opportunity for attendees to get their own copy of a unique publication that will be distributed at the show. Not only does it feature stunning variable covers, but it contains a wealth of original thought leadership content that will benefit attendees during the show and long afterward. WhatTheyThink President Eric Vessels explains.

Explaining Nonwovens

Published September 25, 2018

In this next in the series of articles about technical textiles, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne speaks with Smithers Pira Associate Consultant for Nonwovens Phillip Mango to learn more about nonwovens—what are they, how is the market categorized, and what are some of their uses.

Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech) Expands Membership to Print Service Providers

Published September 24, 2018

The Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech) is announcing a new print service provider membership category just in time for PRINT 18. If you are going to PRINT, you can get the first year of membership free! We spoke with APTech to find out more.

Functional Fabric Finishes: Advances Extend Fabric Utility

Published September 17, 2018

In recent years, significant advances have been made in both aesthetic and functional fabric finishes. While some finishes are produced mechanically, the focus of this article, the latest in our series on technical textiles, is on chemical treatments or coatings that add functionality to fabrics for comfort or for specialized uses.

Getting Grounded in Geotextiles

Published September 10, 2018

This is the fourth installment of a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this installment in the series, Sherburne discusses geotextiles, an important but rarely discussed segment of technical textiles.

Fiber Computing: The Next Industrial Revolution

Published September 4, 2018

The mission of Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) is to enable a manufacturing-based revolution—what we could call Industry 5.0—with the transformation of traditional fibers, yarns, and textiles into highly sophisticated integrated and networked devices and systems. In a recent conversation with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne, the organization’s Chief Marketing Officer, Eric Spackey, explains.

LED Lighting in Retail: What’s the Impact on Color?

Published August 27, 2018

As brick-and-mortar retail works to streamline costs by updating facilities with LED lighting, are they overlooking an important effect—how LED lighting will affect the way customers see the color of their products? Senior Editor Cary Sherburne looks into the pros and cons of LED lighting and how the retail industry is approaching this conversion.

Unraveling the Mystery of Modern Knitting

Published August 20, 2018

This is the third in a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this installment in the series, Sherburne visits with Fabdesigns, an innovator in knitted technical textiles. The company helped Nike bring the FlyKnit shoe to market and much more.

Sir Speedy Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Published August 14, 2018

In August, Sir Speedy, franchise operation in the Franchise Services family, celebrates its 50th year in business. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Don and Richard Lowe to get an update on the business, and to take a little trip down memory lane.

Flexible Packaging Moves From Conventional to Digital

Published August 14, 2018

Karen English, Market Development Manager for Printpack, shares how this conventional flexible packaging converter has implemented digital printing for a hybrid manufacturing process.

Inside Technical Textiles: The Glen Raven Story

Published August 13, 2018

This is the second of a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this installment in the series, Sherburne shares the Glen Raven story, a 138-year-old company that has almost completely reinvented itself.

Inside Technical Textiles: The Basics

Published August 8, 2018

This is the first of a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this first installment in the series, Sherburne defines technical textiles and provides examples of how they are purpose-built for specific applications.

New Enhancements Released in AccuMark Version 11

Published August 8, 2018

Mary McFadden, Executive Director of CAD Project Management for Gerber Technology, discusses the new enhancements to AccuMark Version 11. Gerber continues to make enhancements to this premier CAD system for the textiles and apparel industry.

Volaris Group Makes First Foray into Print Automation Software

Published August 7, 2018

The recent acquisition of print automation software provider Aleyant by Canada’s Volaris Group raised some eyebrows in the industry. Who is the Volaris Group? What strategy are they pursuing relative to the printing industry? And what does this acquisition mean for Aleyant? These were questions Senior Editor Cary Sherburne investigated.

Advances in Corrugated Printing

Published August 6, 2018

Liz Logue, Director of Corporate Business Development for EFI, discusses the growth of the digital direct-to-corrugated market, with some great show-and-tell to share.

Customization is Key for Carriage House Printery

Published August 1, 2018

Michael Frankhauser, Owner of Carriage House Printery, shares his inspiring personal story, from designing equipment for a manufacturing company to starting his own custom textile printing company.

When Fads Fade

Published July 31, 2018

Tim Brule, Vice President of Disruptive Technologies for Fanatics Inc., shares how this company has grown its business via online stores. From fast fashion and fad fashion, to micro moments, the world of fashion is rapidly changing.

Coloro Markets New Color System for Fashion, Lifestyle, and Interiors

Published July 31, 2018

Do we need another color system? Coloro thinks so. The company launched its color system last year, based on the 100-year-old Munsell system, and claims it to be the easiest to use and most logical system on the market. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Coloro Managing Director Thorsten Traugott to learn more.

EFI CEO Guy Gecht to Step Down after 19 Years as CEO

Published July 31, 2018

EFI CEO Guy Gecht surprised many industry watchers by announcing during the company's 2nd Quarter Earnings Call that he would be stepping down as CEO after nearly two decades in the role. WhatTheyThink Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Gecht to find out why he took this decision, what the process is for replacing him, and what might be on the horizon for him in the future.

Spoonflower Celebrates 10 Years

Published July 26, 2018

Gart Davis, CEO of Spoonflower, takes us through the history of a company that has grown its business largely through digital textile printing and e-commerce and now celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

AR on Corrugated Packaging

Published July 25, 2018

Chuck Slingerland, Vice President of Sales and Digital Operations for Abbott-Action, is excited about the potential for augmented reality (AR) in corrugated packaging.

Taking Stock of Industry Associations

Published July 24, 2018

It’s been some time since we have taken a look at the state of our industry associations. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne conducted 17 interviews in late Spring 2018 with key industry players to get an update on status and strategies. We don’t cover every organization in the industry—there are simply too many—but it gives a good overview on the organizations and resources available to help printing businesses be more successful.

Purissimo from Devan Chemicals: A Textile Treatment Bringing Hope to Pet Allergy Sufferers

Published July 23, 2018

Do you have a cat or a dog? Or would you like to, if only you or someone in your household weren’t sensitive to allergens shed by cats and dogs? Devan Chemicals has an answer that may help. The company recently launched a technology to make textiles free from allergens shed by cats and dogs. Purissimo™ is a probiotic-based solution and is completely natural. We spoke to the company to learn more.

New Facility for IT Supplies

Published July 23, 2018

Jeff Lucido, General Manager for IT Supplies, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the company with a new facility and shares how it will help the industry.

The Advantages of EFI InNova Pigment Inks for Textiles

Published July 19, 2018

Paolo Torricella, Textiles Segment Manager for EFI Reggiani, describes the benefits of EFI InNova pigment inks for direct-to-fabric printing from vibrant colors to a lower impact on the environment.

Champion Thread Company Brings Manufacturing Back to the U.S.

Published July 18, 2018

Matt Poovey, President of Champion Thread Company, discusses the importance of automation in bringing textile and garment manufacturing back to the United States. This industrial sewing thread manufacturer is leading the way with a number of innovations.

The Future of Digital Print for Packaging

Published July 17, 2018

Sean Smyth with Smithers Pira discusses the value of the Digital Print and Packaging show and shares some data on packaging forecasts for digital print.

DuraVibe Fabric Pretreatment for Digital Textile Printing Opens New Business Opportunities

Published July 16, 2018

Digital textile printing is taking off, and solutions that increase flexibility while maintaining high quality standards will help speed this analog-to-digital transformation. We recently spoke with Ann Sawchak, co-founder of Expand Systems, about the company’s DuraVibe fabrics and the role they play in enabling more digital printing volume.

Speed Outweighs Cost in Textiles

Published July 16, 2018

Karsten Newbury, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Software for Gerber Technology, discusses the trends driving change in the textiles industry. Now more than ever, the industry is about speed with pressure on brands and manufacturers for faster time to market.

LACorp Is a Jack-of-All-Trades in the Textile Industry

Published July 10, 2018

Jeoff Bodenhorst, Jr., President of LACorp, talks about his contract cut-and-sew company that offers a wide range of services to the garment industry. He talks about how automation will continue to improve this part of the manufacturing process, which can often be a labor-intensive bottleneck.

DPInnovations: A Complete web2fabric™ Workflow Solution

Published July 5, 2018

Web-to-print is well established in the world of commercial printing, and web-to-fabric is now gaining steam in textiles, as the demand for shorter runs and faster turn times for customized and personalized textiles and apparel grows. We recently spoke with DPInnovations about its web2fabric workflow solution which has been installed in more than 20 customer locations.

Kornit's Ryan Kurek on the Analog-to-Digital Transformation in Textiles

Published July 5, 2018

Ryan Kurek, Director of Marketing for North America at Kornit Digital, discusses the analog-to-digital transformation as it relates to textiles. As the way we buy clothing changes, the textile industry must adjust, with faster time to market and less waste in the supply chain.

Bridging the Gap Between Corrugated and Folding Cartons

Published July 3, 2018

Mike Schliesmann, Senior Vice President of Great Northern Corporation, talks with Cary Sherburne about filling the gap between corrugated and folding cartons, plus developing ways to digitally print direct to corrugated.

As Consumer Buying Habits Change, So Does the Textile Industry

Published June 28, 2018

Yoram Burg, Regional Sales Director for EFI Optitex, gives us an idea of what to expect in the textiles market as the analog-to-digital transformation continues to unfold. Companies need to develop product and get it to market faster than ever before to keep up with consumers' changing buying habits.

Print Education is Important for Brands

Published June 27, 2018

Doris Brown-McNally of HP Graphic Solutions discusses the importance of educating brands on the value of digital print: First by imparting technology and marketing knowledge, then discussing the capabilities of digital print and helping with any challenges they may face.

OnPoint Manufacturing Automates Textiles

Published June 26, 2018

At TechTextil, Kirby Best, Chairman of OnPoint Manufacturing, talks about his company, which was founded based on lessons learned in the book industry. OnPoint produces original, beautiful textile work using automated production.

Smithers Pira Tackles Digital with Two Conferences

Published June 25, 2018

Smithers Pira hosted two terrific digital printing conferences in Chicago earlier this month—Digital Print for Packaging and Digital Textile Printing. Both had great content and were very interactive. In this article, we’ve just scratched the surface of what was covered. We highly recommend putting these conferences on your calendar for next year!

Lectra: For Fashion and Furniture

Published June 25, 2018

Carlos Jimenez, Professional Services Manager of Fashion and Apparel for Lectra, discusses the broad range of services the company offers to streamline the process from design to cutting room for textile-based products. Lectra serves the fashion industry, as well as furniture and other market segments where textiles play an important role.

New Pantone Polyester Standards Address Increased Demand for More Vibrant, Saturated Color

Published June 22, 2018

Pantone has been providing color standards for the fashion, home, and interiors marketplace since 1987. Cotton standards were introduced in the mid-1990s. Since then, Pantone has developed additional textile color standards, including today’s announcement of 203 new colors for polyester. We spoke with Laurie Pressman, Vice President at Pantone Color Institute, to learn more.

New Coatings for Performance Fabrics

Published June 21, 2018

Mark Sunderland, Textile Engineer and Strategist at Thomas Jefferson University, discusses the future of coatings for performance fabrics and their effect on sustainability.

Enhancing Label Production with Smart Workflow Automation

Published June 19, 2018

Leading companies in the labels business are benefiting from smart workflow automation. While some feel intimidated by the thought of changing a workflow that works—maybe not as well as it could—we've talked to folks who have made the transition and can't imagine how they actually functioned before.

Kornit Digital Offers Textile Printing Solutions

Published June 18, 2018

Sharon Donovich, Product Marketing Manager for Kornit Digital, talks about the offerings from this Israeli-based company, a solutions provider for printing on textiles. Kornit received a warm response to its line of direct-to-garment and direct-to-fabric printers at the recent TexProcess show in Atlanta.

Datacolor Rolls Out Spectravision for Measuring Printed Textile Samples

Published June 12, 2018

Mike Tancini, Director of Sales for North and Central America at Datacolor, describes Datacolor's services for the textile industry. The company recently introduced Spectravision, positioned as a game-changer for measuring printed textile samples.

MWW Upholds Tradition While Pursuing Innovation

Published June 11, 2018

MWW On Demand has leveraged automation and technology to gain its position as the single largest weaving and on-demand printing company for textile-based products in the U.S. The company employs digital printing technologies for heat transfer sublimation, direct-to-garment, and direct-to-textile, and is one of the few—or perhaps the only—company that maintained a large fleet of looms when others began sending weaving offshore. The result is a vertically integrated, environmentally sustainable, on demand manufacturing operation that is a model for the future of textiles.

Looking at Textile Workflow Automation Through Apps

Published June 11, 2018

Dave Pullin, CEO of Coldlogic LLC, suggests apps as a solution for increasing workflow automation in the textile industry, much like JDF did for print, enabling systems to talk to each other, minimizing human intervention.

Coloreel Tackles Thread Waste

Published June 6, 2018

What if you could cost-effectively color thread on demand? You know exactly how much of each color you need and in what order. You produce what you need, and you can do even very complex embroidery designs using a single head. That’s a dream that’s rapidly becoming a reality. Coloreel is another example of thread on demand in action. We spoke to CEO Mattias Nordin to take a deeper look.

Gerber Technology: Advancing Automation in Fashion and Apparel

Published June 4, 2018

For 50 years, Gerber Technology has been providing solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, from planning through sourcing and production. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Karsten Newbury, Senior Vice President and General Manager, and Mary McFadden, Executive Director, CAD Product Management, to learn about the company’s latest offerings and how they help the industry in the analog-to-digital transformation.

Looking for Cool Leggings? Check Out Bombsheller and Its On-Demand Manufacturing Model

Published May 30, 2018

Pablos Holman is a serial entrepreneur whose latest venture is Bombsheller, an online source for leggings manufactured on demand. Customers can select from more than a thousand designs, or upload their own, and each pair of leggings, which are available in 10 sizes, is digitally printed, cut, and sewn, with shipment in 24 hours in most cases.

Microfactories and Automation the Stars at TechTextil/TexProcess

Published May 24, 2018

WhatTheyThink attended TechTextil/TexProcess in Atlanta, and one of the key messages that came out of the show was the fact that apparel microfactories are a reality. This brings many advantages to the apparel industry, especially in North America and Europe where there is a move to re-shore some part of apparel manufacturing.

Marketing and Publishing Guru Seth Godin to Keynote PRINT 18

Published May 10, 2018

Seth Godin, world-renowned entrepreneur and marketing and publishing guru, will be keynoting this September’s PRINT 18. Cary Sherburne spoke to him about the changing role of print in today’s marketing and publishing landscape. Read on for some insights from one of today’s thought leaders.

How MakerBot Is Shaping a 3D Future in Industry and Education

Published May 8, 2018

For a dozen years, Forrest Leighton held marketing roles at Canon USA, and then spent four years with Marcomm Central. Today, he is Vice President of Marketing at MakerBot, a Stratasys company and a global leader in desktop 3D printing solutions. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with him recently to learn more about MakerBot and how 3D printing might be a relevant opportunity for commercial, sign & display graphics, packaging and textile printers.

Standfast & Barracks: Naught to 50% Digital Textile Printing in Five Years

Published May 7, 2018

Changing market dynamics, including the increasing proliferation of digital printing technologies for textiles and apparel, are boosting reshoring efforts in many countries. UK-based Standfast & Barracks has worked closely with digital textile printer manufacturer Durst to help accelerate this trend using its Durst Alpha Series digital textile printers. Read more.

Stunning 3D Printed Garments a Revolutionary Idea

Published May 2, 2018

Tel Aviv-based fashion designer Danit Peleg creates custom garments and accessories using desktop 3D printers. Today, Peleg is also in the process of creating and uploading to her site designs that can be downloaded and printed. Read on for more on her unique projects.

How Do You Build Efficiencies through a Print Quality Management Program? 3M Has Perspective

Published May 1, 2018

One of the high points of the Color Conference held earlier this year was a talk by Lisa Price, Design Operations Director at 3M. I was able to speak to Lisa recently to get a little more detail about her very successful Print Quality Management Program that helps her manage a network of more than 700 printers worldwide. Read more.

Israeli Fashion Designer Leverages Digital Textile Printing for New Business Model

Published April 30, 2018

Fashion designer Michal Ratzman turned to digital textile printing to find a way to make her dress design business more attractive to buyers and more profitable for her. By switching to the sell-then-manufacture model from manufacture-then-hope-to-sell, she is able to provide more customized apparel solutions while eliminating returns, inventory and waste for her on-demand dress manufacturing business, byme.

SEAMS: Supercharging the U.S. Apparel Supply Chain

Published April 24, 2018

In preparation for attending TechTextil/TexProcess in Atlanta in May, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne connected with Will Duncan, Executive Director of SEAMS, a trade organization dedicated to empowering the Made in America movement by supercharging the U.S. supply chain from concept to customer. Learn more about SEAMS and the benefits of joining the effort.

On Demand Manufacturing: A Sea Change for the Apparel Industry

Published April 23, 2018

Can apparel be completely manufactured in an automated environment? Not yet. But it’s coming soon and will revolutionize apparel manufacturing. Learn how NextWave, and its partners EFI, Klieverik, Zund, and Henderson are creating an on demand microfactory, which will be on display at TechTextil/TexProcess in Atlanta in May.

Unique Great Northern Solution Fills the Gap Between Corrugated and Folding Carton

Published April 17, 2018

Great Northern Corporation added an HP PageWide T400S inkjet press to its operation last year to bring more flexibility to its unique ultra-strong folding cartons. In this post, learn how Great Northern is leveraging offset and digital for more efficiency, and the approach the company has taken to filling the gap between corrugated and folding carton.

Move Over for Mouvent’s New Digital Textile Printer

Published April 16, 2018

Following its announcement of its formation as a joint venture between BOBST and Radex last July, Mouvent is now bringing its innovative textile printers to market. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Ghislain Segard, Marketing & Sales Manager for Textile Machines at Mouvent, to get more details about the current product and Mouvent’s strategies for the future. Read more.

Retail’s Returns Conundrum and How Digital Textile Could Help

Published April 10, 2018

Retailers are seeing an unprecedented volume of returns, according to a recent eMarketer Retail story, and they are struggling with how to deal with this while still keeping margins at an acceptable level. Many are burdened with legacy supply chain issues that digital technology could mitigate. This post is a recap of some of the innovative approaches to digital textile and apparel manufacturing that are poised to revolutionize the world of textiles and apparel.

FESPA 2018 Features “Print. Make. Wear.” Trend with Special Exhibit

Published April 9, 2018

Are you going to FESPA 2018 in Berlin? If so, there’s a special treat in store that you will not want to miss. In this article, show organizer Duncan MacOwan explains FESPA’s Print. Make. Wear. exhibit that showcases how digital technologies are transforming textiles and apparel while also demonstrating the ongoing value that analog production processes still add to the mix. Read more.

SGIA to Hold New FP3 Conference for Industrial Printing and Printed Electronics

Published April 2, 2018

SGIA Chairman Ed Cook, Jr., explains the importance of the organization's upcoming conference on functional printing. FP3 is a new show serving the industrial printing and printed electronics communities. Scheduled for June in Chicago, the event is designed to educate executive-level members of these communities, including operational and business tracks. Google's David Hogue will keynote the event.

Zazzle Well-Positioned to Help Drive Analog-to-Digital Transformation in Textiles

Published April 2, 2018

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne talks with Zazzle's Chief Fulfillment Officer Charles Ohiaeri about the role of digital textile printing in its ecommerce business that delivers personalized paper and textile products. He shares his views on the analog-to-digital transformation underway in the textiles industry and how digital can make the industry more efficient, profitable, and environmentally friendly, while giving consumers more choice with the ability to personalize or customize their garments and other textile-based products.

Spoonflower: Demonstrating the Potential of Digital Textile Printing

Published April 2, 2018

Durham, N.C.’s Spoonflower allows users in its community of more than 3.5 million individuals to design and digitally print their own custom fabrics for curtains, quilts, clothes, bags, furniture, dolls, pillows, framed artwork, costumes, banners, and much, much more. Read on to see how Spoonflower is continuing to transform the digital textile printing market.

Vapor Apparel: Breaking the Rules in Sublimation Printing

Published March 29, 2018

Chris Bernat, Chief Revenue Officer at Vapor Apparel, likes to break the rules. Fourteen years ago, the company determined that good fabrics for sublimation printing were hard to come by and worked to solve that problem. Today, the company provides high-quality blanks for shirts, accessories, and more, including sublimation-certified white and colored garments that perform on press and in the market, making its clothing in the United States. He also discusses the relative roles of digital and conventional printing for textiles.

Ryonet: Driving Change in Garment Decoration

Published March 22, 2018

Ryonet's Ryan Moor talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the overall positive impact the analog-to-digital transformation in textiles and apparel stand to have on the environment. He also discusses how his company is helping the people of Haiti by providing workers in his manufacturing operation in the country with a living wage, good working conditions, and more.

HP Announces New Product Family Featuring Latex Rigid Technology

Published March 22, 2018

At an ISA preview event last night, HP presented a new technology for Latex printing on rigid substrates up to two inches thick. Although pricing and availability are not yet available, the company showed sample prints and plans to demonstrate the machine in operation at FESPA in Berlin in May. Learn more.

Epson Dedicated to Speeding Adoption of Digital Textile Printing

Published March 21, 2018

Epson’s 2018 Digital Couture Project leading up to New York’s Fashion Week caught my attention, and I reached out to the Mark Radogna, Strategic Marketing for Epson America, to learn more about how Epson is approaching the digital textiles market and where the company sees it going in the future.

CustomInk Believes Co-Opetition Is a Win/Win for Suppliers, Producers, and Customers in the Garment Decoration Industry

Published March 21, 2018

Andy Louis-Charles, Vice President of Business Development at CustomInk, one of the largest online custom apparel companies in the U.S., talks about the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships with others in the industry. He believes this practice of "co-opetition" raises the level for everyone in the industry. Custom apparel for events is a $7 billion industry—there's lots of room for everyone and an opportunity to grow the pie. With a bigger pie, everyone gets a larger slice, he says.

Does Your Brand Reflect What You Are Made Of?

Published March 20, 2018

Robert Prioleau, Partner and Brand Director at the Blue Ion agency, and a principal of Outpost, another agency, explains what he meant during his talk at ThreadX, when he said, "The best brands are defined by what they are made of, not by what they make." What values, purpose, mission and cause are you bringing to the table on top of your great products and services?" Hear what he has to say, and think about how you can apply his advice to your brand.

Breakthrough Material Makes Heat Transfer News

Published March 19, 2018

As a garment decorator or textile printer, have you ever bemoaned the fact that you have to pretreat natural fiber fabrics in order to use heat-transfer sublimation for a brilliant, durable image on natural fiber textiles? Moan no more! The Mosaica Group is introducing a breakthrough product from a European mill that makes heat transfer news. Read more.

Is Your Tech Pack Smart Enough?

Published March 19, 2018

Matthew Cochran, CCO of of Purchase Activated Apparel Technology (PAAT), is building an open digital product development network, looking to augment the traditional tech pack that is the DNA of a product. His Smart Tech Pack (STP) technology is a machine-readable file that takes some of the opportunity for human error out of the garment manufacturing process. The goal of this digital product development network is to move to a design-sell-produce model as opposed to today's design-produce-hope-to-sell model.

Analog-to-Digital Transformation Is Disrupting the Textiles Industry

Published March 15, 2018

Mark Coudray, Founder of Catalyst Plan, has nearly 50 years of experience in graphic communications. He talks about the analog-to-digital transformations that have occurred in the industry over the past few decades. The fourth iteration of analog-to-digital transformation is revolutionizing the discipline of marketing and having a huge impact on the textiles and apparel industries. He offers guidance to buy time and gain breathing room.

Mimaki Focused on Accelerating the Digital Transformation in Textiles

Published March 14, 2018

It’s been 20 years since Mimaki began its digital textile printing journey, one of the first, if not the first, to do so. We spoke with Ronald Van Den Broek, General Manager of Sales for Mimaki Europe, to gain insight into how the company addresses the growing digital textile market today and it is vision of the future.

Chris Simpson from Blue Ion Talks about Available Tools to Engage in B2C Marketing

Published March 14, 2018

Chris Simpson, Digital Marketing Director at Blue Ion, talks about how companies can make a transition from marketing B2B to marketing B2C. He identifies a set of tools from Google and others that can help companies add this new capability.

The Amazing Story of Sandilake Clothing

Published March 13, 2018

Mel Lay, Owner of Sandilake Clothing, has a riveting story of how she went from producing clothing for her kids in 2014 to being a garment icon. Her business has grown largely through the use of social media, including her public battle with Target and ultimately her appearance on Shark Tank. Great story! Lots of guidance about how others can use social media to grow their businesses.

Articles by Cary Sherburne