#Digital Printing

2021-02-17

Warp knitted terry fabric with digital prints for even more bathing fun

The textile was produced on a TM 4-TS EL with double-sided fabric to ensure that the finished product is not only a must-have bathing accessory, but also a real eye-catcher.

Streetart on the beach

Towels are not only useful for drying off, but they can also steal the show from bathing beauties. You only need to look at the extravagant example on this page to see how. The terry cloth product produced by KARL MAYER creates vibrant accents with lively motifs in bright colours no matter whether you are around the swimming pool, at the beach or even simply next to the washbasin in the bathroom.

The textile was produced on a TM 4-TS EL with double-sided fabric to ensure that the finished product is not only a must-have bathing accessory, but also a real eye-catcher. One side features a dense layer of cotton loops. It quickly absorbs moisture from the skin after bathing and nestles gently against the body. The other side consists of sheared polyester. Its soft texture invites you to relax, while its smooth finish makes it both easier to print on and quicker to dry. The imaginative design was created at ZIMMER AUSTRIA using a digital printing process. The specialist for printing, coating and finishing systems did a great job. KARL MAYER’s textile developer, Melanie Bergmann, couldn’t be happier with the results: “The colours are extremely vibrant and vivid while the contours are sharp. Even the finest lines are clearly defined,” says the textile engineer.

Warp knitting technology with a firmly integrated terry loop ensures that the colourful towels can be enjoyed for a long time to come. The fluffy fibre layer is extremely resistant to thread pullers. The long service life and ecological advantages in production distinguish warp knitted terry articles from their weaving counterparts. The TM 4-TS EL does not require compressed air like conventional airjet rapier looms and therefore consumes around 87 % less energy per kilogram of fabric produced. The sizing process is also eliminated in warp knitting. This saves textile chemicals, waste water and energy to the tune of approx. 0.20 USD/kg. This corresponds to about 30 % of the manufacturing costs – excluding yarn – for the production of the raw material. Apart from saving costs, the terry warp knitting machine is extremely efficient. With a width of 186” and a speed of 800 rpm, the TM 4-TS EL produces around 1,800 kg of terry cloth weighing 400 g/m2 every day in 24-hour operation. This is around 250 % more than on an airjet rapier loom.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

USColorworks expands digital platform with Kornit Atlas MATRIX and Atlas MAX PLUS solutions

Kornit Digital Ltd. (NASDAQ: KRNT), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today announced that USColorworks, a North Carolina-based apparel decoration and fulfillment company specializing in custom and on-demand printing for retail and promotional markets, has expanded its Kornit digital production platform with the addition of Atlas MATRIX and Atlas MAX PLUS systems to deliver high-quality, on-demand apparel across cotton, blended fabrics and polyester.

DTF vs DTG Printing - The technologies shaping today’s custom merchandise market

From sportswear to branded tote bags, custom merchandise continues to grow in popularity across sectors, driving print shops to cater to short runs, personalisation, and rapid turnaround. As print providers look to this market, two printing technologies often stand out: Direct‑to‑Film (DTF) and Direct‑to‑Garment (DTG). Each offers its own benefits, and understanding these differences helps determine the most suitable production method for print service providers.

Mimaki celebrates Triple EDP Award win at FESPA 2026

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, was presented with 3 EDP Awards at the association’s 2026 ceremony, held at FESPA Global Print Expo. These highly acclaimed awards celebrate best-in-class innovation across the print industry, and Mimaki was honoured in three different categories.

EFI brings high-performance display graphics, packaging, and textile printing innovations to FESPA 2026

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI™) is bringing a broad range of new hybrid, roll-to-roll, and textile inkjet innovations to FESPA Global Print Expo 2026, taking place 19-22 May at Fira Barcelona Gran Via. Visitors to the EFI stand (Hall 3, #C85) will see the new EFI VUTEk M3h X hybrid LED printer, new EFI VUTEk® FabriVU® 340 i8 eight-colour dye sublimation printer, the EFI VUTEk X5r roll-to-roll LED printer, and the EFI VUTEk Q3h XP seven-colour hybrid printer in action, each designed to help sign and display producers scale output, diversify applications, and drive more profitable growth.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.