#Digital Printing

2018-04-05

Epson and For.Tex innovate pre-treatment for pigment printing

Epson, a pioneer in digital textile printing, and its subsidiary For.Tex, a leading producer of dye, thickeners and textile pre/post-treatment products, are launching Pregen PCC, the innovative textile pre-treatment formula for digital pigment-printed fabrics that allows them to reach a grade 4 rating for fastness to rubbing along with unprecedented brilliance and colour intensity. Pregen PCC is already available and is suitable for fabrics used for both clothing and interior decorating.

Grade 4 rubbing fastness and colour performance improved by 20%: the new formula from Pregen PCC offers state-of-the-art pre-treatment of fabrics for digital printing with pigment inks
Continuous improvement that combines high performance, efficiency and low environmental impact

Brilliant colours lasting longer. This is the result achieved with the new formula Pregen PCC. Compared to current pre-treatment products, it guarantees improved colour performance (20% higher intensity) and better rubbing fastness in both dry and wet tests (grade 4). Pigment printing is also environment-friendly: it does not require steaming or washing units, thereby reducing water and energy consumption.

“We are happy to see that the market is learning to appreciate pigment technology. We were the first to believe in it – with the first Genesta PG pigment inks launched in 2005 - and we are convinced that the new pre-treatment formula will facilitate the adoption of this technique,” explained Pietro Roncoroni, chairman of For.Tex.. “Pregen PCC is another step forward in the simplification and efficiency of the printing process, as it considerably reduces time and costs. In reaching a higher level of colour fastness, switching from traditional to digital printing is becoming increasingly more convenient.”

Monna Lisa, Genesta pigment inks, and Pregen: the integrated system that guarantees reliable, high-quality digital printing

Pregen PCC, the new pre-treatment for pigment-printed textiles, is only the latest product developed by For.Tex as they work continuously to improve the chemical component of digital printing. Since the introduction in 2005 of Genesta PG pigment inks, with over 6 million square meters printed to date, Monna Lisa has ensured a level of quality and reliability that are unmatched in this sector. The ongoing research has now produced Pregen PCC, another target achieved in improving quality while reducing time and costs (no particular treatment is required after printing to obtain maximum results) for digital pigment-printed textiles. This is an indispensable pre-condition for a sector that promises significant growth rates in coming years, and new efforts towards a reduced environmental impact.

Epson launches SureColor G9000: high-production Direct-To-Film printer delivering greater productivity and reliability

Epson today announces the launch of the SureColor G9000, a new high-production Direct-To-Film (DTFilm) printer designed to meet growing global demand for flexible and efficient textile transfer printing. Expanding Epson’s DTFilm line-up alongside the SC-G6000, the SC-G9000 introduces enhanced speed, reliability and ease of maintenance for commercial garment decorators and textile producers.

Epson future proofs textile printing with Epson Textile Academy 2.0

Technology leader Epson today hosted its second Textile Academy Event at the company’s Textile Innovation Centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Building on the success of its inaugural Textile Academy earlier this year, the event welcomed Textile Design BA students from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Loughborough University. The event features workshops designed to enhance student’s practical textile printing skills; corporate and entrepreneurial business acumen; marketing and self-branding; and environmental awareness around the textile industry.

Epson unveils Monna Lisa ML-16000JQ for more efficient and sustainable Jacquard fabric printing

Global technology firm Epson announces a new direct-to-fabric digital textile printer designed for jacquard fabrics. The Monna Lisa ML-16000JQ delivers direct-to-fabric double-sided printing on jacquard fabrics, meeting the needs of fashion designers looking to enhance their creativity by seamlessly integrating vibrant colours with intricate woven patterns.

UK Manufacturer Basic Prints commits to digital-first production model with dual investment in Kornit Digital’s Apollo

Kornit Digital, a global leader in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, today announced that UK clothing manufacturer Basic Prints has expanded its digital production capacity with a second Kornit Apollo Direct-to-Garment (DTG) system. This marks a strategic shift supporting Basic Prints’ digital-first manufacturing model.

Keeping print inclusive: Empowering women in the print industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.

Express Print boosts production using an expanded fleet of Mimaki technologies

Express Print, a fast-growing Bulgarian provider of visual communication and soft signage solutions, has significantly enhanced its production workflow with a comprehensive portfolio of Mimaki digital printing systems. Based in Varna and active for more than 10 years, the company maintains a strong focus on the advertising sector. Over the years, it has steadily expanded its operations, driven by a clear vision to bring the full spectrum of large-format printing services in-house, avoiding outsourcing and ensuring complete control over production quality.

DIENES at Techtextil 2026: Flexible pilot lines for bio-based fiber development

The growing relevance of bio-based materials in technical textiles is accompanied by increasing demands for reproducibility, high-quality data, and scalable process routes. Especially when working with cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan, lignin-based approaches, or bio-based PAN as a carbon-fiber precursor, R&D teams face variable feedstock quality, tighter process windows, and the need for reliable comparability across trials. This calls for flexible, data-driven experimental setups that can be reconfigured efficiently when recipes, solvents, and raw-material batches change.

Gunold showcases embroidery product range and services at Texprocess

At Texprocess 2026, GUNOLD will present numerous hands-on examples related to embroidery in Hall 8, Booth E20. The focus is on creative embroidery designs as well as the extensive product range of threads, nonwovens, and accessories for embroidery and embellishment. “Trade visitors can once again look forward to many new and creative embroidery designs. Of course, we will also showcase the matching products required to bring these ideas to life,” announces Marketing Manager Stephan Gunold.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.