Advancing a product from thought to reality is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging activities you can take on. Developing ground-breaking products can put a company on the map or enhance an already stellar reputation, but what are the pitfalls and what does it take to succeed? There’s much to consider when starting this journey – demanding deadlines, high project costs, internal vs external expertise, outdated technology—these are a sampling of scenarios experienced as we go through the steps it takes to complete a project.
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So, where is the best place to allocate resources for continued success? With perpetual growth in the technology sector, we are seeing the most return from technology investments. It is proven that digital technology across any industry, generates less time wasted, cost efficiency, and an increased ability to produce. This is no different for the textile industry. Technology enables vibrant imaging on fabrics and alterations to be done with a simple mouse click.
One predominant advancement within the textile industry – digital printing. Various printers allow designers in textiles, printing, fashion, and the technology industry a more manageable way to bring thought to reality.
Trends, such as digital dye-sublimation and direct-to-garment technologies, make design and alterations as quick and easy as the click of a mouse. Designers and product engineers can make color selections digitally and hone in on the finer details of any given project.
Digital printers are a time-saving, low-cost solution, resulting in richer and more vibrant imaging. Colors appear more powerful, blacks present at their darkest, and smooth transitions and shading can be featured on fabric.
There are several applications which provide the digital textile printing industry with opportunities for expansion, notably soft signage, home furnishings and interior design, and apparel and fashion. In the future, using digital printing as a tool for the mass production of printed textiles will depend on the ability of machinery manufacturers to develop digital textile printers fast enough to rival those of conventional textile printing machines.
Utilizing today’s best printing technology, some of our popular textiles including our lightweight mesh, used for products like sports apparel and linings and our spacer fabrics, are quickly infiltrating the fashion and footwear industry.
Spacers are particularly attractive to athletic footwear designers as the cushioning material allows air to pass through for feet to breathe and helps provide better endurance. A sneaker design must take into consideration weight distribution, foot protection, and comfort. The combination of flexibility and durability provided by our spacers allows for proper shoe molding, great protection, and the ability to withstand the rigors of athletics. By eliminating sweat, it not only provides comfort but also reduces the chance of foot and health problems.
For 75 years, our team has been working alongside some of America’s top manufacturing industry leaders. We are always thankful to our customers who allow us to help grow their product lines and evolve their designs upon the request of our materials. Utilizing our high-quality fabrics, designers and engineers have developed lines built for the everyday person as well as fashion icons and athletes across all disciplines.
At Apex Mills, we don’t just provide fabric for fashion and footwear – the industries we service run from medical to military, aerospace to safety, and beyond – check out some of our projects here. Also, make sure to follow our blog, and connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn for more of the latest in textile innovation.
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