Developments in digital print technology for smart textiles

Abstract: This chapter outlines developments in digital print technology and highlights the ways in which these are significantly influencing the design and manufacture of printed textiles. Direct and non-direct methods of digital ink-jet printing, including dye sublimation and pigment printing, are explained along with the various types of print heads used. Three-dimensional digital print technologies are also described including: Stereolithography (SLA) Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Three Dimensional printing (3D) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). The final section of this chapter looks ahead to emerging technologies in which decoration becomes integrated within the construction of the whole garment using dynamic colour effects and moving images.