(All images courtesy Sarah Thorley/Texintel)
In autumn 2022, Sarah Thorley, a recent graduate of Bolton University BA(Hons) Textiles and Surface Design, won the Green Grads-ECO STORIES Textile Challenge.
Green Grads (GG), the brainchild of Barbara Chandler, is a not-for-profit platform that celebrates the next generation and supports the valuable contribution they can make to secure the future of our industry. GG, as a collective supported by the industry, seeks to nurture emerging talent and to provide an environment where their work can be recognized, discovered, and developed.
ECO-STORIES, a new category for 2022, was introduced to mark the environmental benefits of circular design and technology combined. Specifically, digital textile printing. Using waterless on-demand technologies, designers and manufacturers can protect the environment by reducing waste, while expanding their creativity.
Winning an Epson SureColor SC-F100 dye-sublimation printer, Sarah Thorley has spent the last six months developing and building her designer brand. The SureColor printer offers a dye-sublimation printing process that can be applied to multiple surfaces from textiles to ceramics. Sarah has been exploring new applications to create products herself. All of her products are created by hand and in-house.
For an artisan studio, the Epson printer has proved invaluable, Sarah explained.
“I plan to make all my products by hand, to source my materials sustainably, and work towards a zero-waste business. In this ideology, I have been utilizing my fabulous prize from Epson at the Green Grads awards to create dye-sublimated mugs with designs of British wildflowers, as well as using this eco-ink sublimation printer to transfer my designs onto recycled fabric to make into tote bags. This is an amazing printer, and it has aided me so much to kickstart my career as an artist and maker.”
We caught up with Sarah—an emerging designer with limited resources—to see how her brand has grown, how she is using the SC-F100 to expand her product range, and how she is learning about commercial life in real time as a solo designer in a challenging marketplace.
Debbie McKeegan: How has your brand developed in the last few months?
Sarah Thorley: Since Green Grads, and after gaining some experience in the design industry, I’ve rebranded from “Colours By Sarah” to “Pink Tiger Design” to create a more recognizable brand name to start on selling my own designs and products! I have been making art prints of my artwork with my Epson XP-9700 printer at A3 size to A5 size. As well as this, I have been sewing cushions, scrunchies, tea towels, and repurposing old lampshades with the fabric that I was awarded from winning the Green Grads textiles challenge. I now sell at makers markets around the country and online too.
DM: What are the biggest challenges?
ST: My biggest challenges have been overcoming obstacles that only I as the sole small business owner can fix. Even small things such as my sewing machine malfunctioning or keeping on top of accounts and spending, I am slowly learning to understand what comes with being a small business owner. Even though it is time consuming, putting in the dedication is so worth it to see people get joy out of my products.
DM: How do you intend to overcome them?
ST: I overcome these obstacles by learning from my mistakes and lots of trial and error. I like to plan for things to go wrong, and always remind myself that there will be a solution even if it’s difficult to find.
DM: How have you been using the Epson SC-F100?
ST: I have been using the SureColor sublimation printer to experiment with lots of things! The main usage of this printer has been sublimation printing onto ceramic mugs. I have used a mug heat press to permanently print designs from the Bateman Collection onto 11 oz. mugs which are becoming very popular.
DM: What are the main advantages in having your own printer?
ST: I have found that the main advantage to owning my own printers is that I don’t have to rely on anyone else to complete my products, whereas I would if I had to outsource. I have complete control over the quality, color, size, cost, and design placement…which is very useful.
DM: Tell us about the fabrics you have been using?
ST: Since being awarded with the fabulous lengths of eco-printed fabrics by Prinfab, I have never looked back! Prinfab has been my main provider of fabrics, as I have always found that they are the best price, quality; and, as a designer who loves color, it is important to me that the colors are perfect…and they definitely are when printing with Prinfab. I have been using half Panama cotton and 100% plain cotton for my products but can’t wait to venture further into different substrates such as outdoor water-resistant fabric.
DM: What’s next? And what are you looking forward to?
ST: I am very much looking forward to working with the fabulous Victoria Baths again, who have invited me to exhibit my artwork at their heritage site for the second time on April 15th at their SpringFest 2023 which will be a fantastic art festival in Manchester!
DM: How would you describe the Green Grads opportunity and how has it helped you in your career?
ST: I would describe my experience with Green Grads as nothing but outstanding. I am constantly recognized for the work I have showcased with GG, and I am forever grateful for that. The exposure it has given me as a young designer trying to help the planet and spread a positive message is so appreciated, and I can’t wait to be involved more!
We wish Sarah every success in the months and years ahead. The Green Grads mentors will remain available for help and advice whenever required. Once a Green Grad always a Green Grad—it’s not a prize that expires. Building a designer brand takes talent, commitment, and drive, there are many ups and downs in commercial life, and it’s never been more important for our industry to support the next generation.
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