• Molecule - The Future of Ink is Here
    The Future of Chemistry

Digital textile printing quickly gained acceptance in the flag and banner market due to its ability to quickly print short runs. The soft look of textile materials with the bright clean colors then penetrated the tradeshow market as well as other flexible sign markets. The unique advantage of rapid introduction of new designs produced economically at shorter run lengths is now bringing Digital textile printing through a second exponential growth into mainstream textile markets. Print houses are already offering digitally printed clothing items (both high and low quality) at an affordable rate. Digital production speed may not be as fast as analogue in most cases, but this gap is quickly closing as high speed fixed array printers hit the market.

Cotton

Cotton

Industrial inkjet of cotton is a fast growing area. Traditionally cotton has been printed by reactive dye technology, but recently there is a new focus on pigmented inkjet inks. Main markets for cotton print are upholstered furniture, bedding and drapery.
Flag and Banner

Flag and Banner

Flags are extremely popular in Europe and Latin America for sporting events and in front of businesses for brand promotion. Direct dye sublimation, Transfer dye sublimation and pigment inkjet inks have allowed this market to grow exponentially due to the ability to print short runs with custom graphics. In Korea, Taiwan and some parts of Latin America, soft signage has taken over the vinyl billboard and banner market.

Footwear

Footwear

Footwear is no longer just a functional product but has become something that represents a person. 3D printing has quickly gained immediate acceptance into footwear prototyping, and there is interest for high end production using 3D printers. For the more mainstream footwear, inkjet printed dye sublimation designs are fully intrenched into the market. Both waterborne technologies and UV curable technologies are having some success adhering to the synthetics such as polyesters, polyurethanes, nylons and other simlar products. There are many examples of acid inks onto cotton fabrics also being used in the footwear category. Footwear is expected to have more and more functional chemistry inkjet printed giving the products exciting new features of color or even higher performance.
Polyester and Polyamide Fabrics

Polyester and Polyamide Fabrics

Sublimation printing to Polyester and Polyamide fabrics utilizing inkjet technology has grown explosively over the last 10 years. The ability to print vibrant images in short runs allows brand owners to use this technology for advertising and brand awareness. Additionally other areas such as athletic socks and other athletic appearal with high polyester content is being printed with either sublimation inkjet ink or pigmented inkjet ink.

Scarfs, Ties, and Shirts

Scarfs, Ties, and Shirts

Industrial inkjet printing to Silk made quick inroads in 2006 to date. Silk scarves, ties, and shirts tend to be personalized in nature and the short run advantage and customization advantages of inkjet fit in well with this market.
Skis, Snowboards, Skateboards, and Wakeboards

Skis, Snowboards, Skateboards, and Wakeboards

Transfer sublimation inkjet printing for ski's, snowboards, skateboards, and wakeboards has become the standard for the industry. The large color gamut along with the ability to print short runs of customized images has made this technology really change the imagry we see on these products.

Soft Signage

Soft Signage

Industrial inkjet printing of direct dye sublimation as well as the manufacturing of flame resistant polyeter textiles pushed the soft signage business into the go-to technology for trade show booths, indoor graphics and short term outdoor graphics. The vibrant colors as well as extremely short runs are well suited for inkjet technology.
Sportswear and Outerwear

Sportswear and Outerwear

Transfer Sublimation inkjet printing of polyester football (soccer) uniforms, bicycling jerseys, swimwear, socks, and other sports related clothing has become the dominant technology for this industry.

The Future of Chemistry