#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.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

FESPA’s new textile event set to debut in Barcelona this May

In less than one month, the first edition of FESPA’s new Textile event will take place at the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona, from 19 – 22 May 2026. Co-located with FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and the brand-new Corrugated, each of the events will serve as the ideal meeting point for experts across each field to discover the latest technologies and trends, and explore cross-sector opportunities for business growth.

Kornit Digital expands digital production into footwear and technical textiles with Presto MAX PLUS

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT) (“Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today unveiled the Kornit Presto MAX PLUS, a new roll-to-roll system expanding digital manufacturing into footwear, automotive interiors, military camouflage, high-performance sportswear, and high-end furnishings. Debuting at Texprocess 2026 in Frankfurt, Presto MAX PLUS enables entirely new applications for on-demand textile production.

Kornit Digital acquires PrintFactory to accelerate the industry’s transition to digital, on-demand production

Kornit Digital Ltd. (“Kornit Digital”, “Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand, digital fashion and textile production, today announced its acquisition of PrintFactory, a global Netherlands-based technology leader of cloud-native workflow, color management and production automation software. The acquisition represents a strategic step in Kornit’s mission to accelerate the digital transformation of the global fashion and textile industry.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.