Digital Couture: Epson brings its printing expertise to the runway
updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:20
For a dip into the fashion industry, the Japanese printer company introduced a new model that would foster greater creativity amongst designers everywhere.
Tribal, geometrics, florals, mind-blowing twirls – fashion designers use prints again and again in their collections. Mary Katrantzou even became famous because of her use of digital prints. But the popular technique that brightens so much of our clothes and accessories is not exactly accessible to everyone… that is, until Epson held its Digital Couture event in New York last month.
Epson brought its printing expertise to the fashion world by introducing SureColor F7170, a new dye sublimation textile printer, priced at £20,000 (approx. SGD45, 000).
To do so, the Japanese electronics company teamed up with 11 designers, including Esosa and Maggie Berry, to stage a couture runway event in Manhattan’s West Village. During the show, the selected designers featured collections made with the help of the printers. The fabrics feature sharp, vivid images with rich colours and intense black, demonstrating the highest quality, design freedom and capabilities of the technology for the fashion industry.
This printing device uses heat to transfer dye to synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, paper or plastic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on high-end fabrics, such as silk, leather and cotton.
The Japanese market leader aims to offer the fashion industry the easiest, fastest and most affordable alternative to the actual printing method. “Epson’s dye sublimation printing technology provides another level of creativity and functionality for young fashion entrepreneurs and well established fashion brands looking to produce their art in a more efficient and affordable manner”, said Agustin Chacon VP at Epson America, Inc.
As a result, designers could patent their own printing design, with fewer restrictions and more flexibility. And who knows, Epson’s printer may just give rise to the next Mary Katrantzou?
Lindsay Poui-di
