Vibeke Riisberg: Digital Tools and Textile Printing
Textile Designer, Ph.d, Associate Professor
Designskolen Kolding, Denmark
Digital inkjet printing on fabric is the latest invention in the textile industry and a major technological shift, because it does not use templates. At present inkjet is slow compared to conventional printing, but it has other advantages e.g huge flexibility. Digital printing opens a range of new possibilities in manufacturing and aesthetic expressions to industry, fashion and textile designers. This paper shortly describes, the historical and technical development of textile printing, and outlines the principle differencies between analogue and digital technology. Examples of production and experimental design projects are presented and discussed. Finally I argue that digital media and inkjet could be used to further more sustainable textile products.