Epson announces two new innovation centres in Como

Epson, the pioneer of digital printing on fabric, announces two new centres dedicated to the development of new products for industrial digital printing on textiles. The Innovation Research Lab, dedicated to R&D on ink technology, Epson has been created in collaboration with FOR.TEX. The Printing Research Centre, created in collaboration with F.lli Robustelli, a leading manufacturer of printers for fabrics recently acquired by Epson, will support future developments of Epson inkjet technology applied to textile printing.

The two new centres alongside the existing Epson Textile Solution Center Como. With the opening of the new Epson structures, FOR.TEX and Fratelli Robustelli shaped the creation of a global center project for digital textile printing industry based in Italy.

“We are happy to announce the establishment of the Innovation and Research Lab of Printing Research Center in Como”, said Sunau Murata, chief operating officer of Professional Printing Operations Division of Epson. “These two modern R&D facilities symbolise the strong Epson’s commitment to the development of digital inkjet printing on textiles both in the area of Como and in the rest of the world.”

Digital print on fabrics

In only 2014, they were produced in the world approximately 31 billion sq m of tissue, of which about 2-3 per cent by the use of digital technologies. The year 2015 represented a milestone in the digital printing market in tissues where according WtiN Intelligence, will grow by 17 per cent per year until 2019.

The use of digital technologies for the printing of designs, patterns and visual effects on textiles and other surfaces is already established and is growing rapidly, replacing the traditional analog technologies in many areas. Digital technologies used in industrial production pose challenges to manufacturers of inks and auxiliary chemicals. However, thanks to technological innovation, the digital printing market is constantly evolving to meet customer demand for products that can support the entire production cycle and guarantee quality, productivity and reliability without compromise.

Innovation Research Lab

The Innovation Research Lab, dedicated to R&D of new inks for digital industrial printing on a wide range of materials, is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and equipped with a team of experienced technologists and researchers, including engineers, chemical and technical laboratory analysts. The laboratory is engaged on research for Epson account that will increase the performance and sustainability of the inks for industrial use.

The Printing Research Center

The Printing Research Center, located at the headquarters of Fratelli Robustelli, will be dedicated to the development of products for inkjet devices, ensuring the continuous advancement of high-quality printing for Epson tissues.

Innovation and excellence

The collaboration between Epson, F.lli Robustelli and FOR.TEX began in 2003 with the launch of the Mona Lisa, industrial digital printer for today point textiles market reference for high quality textile printing. In 2014, it was inaugurated the Textile Solution Center (TSC), the first global centre for the development and promotion of digital printing on fabric, created to enhance the quality, productivity and reliability of digital printing technologies. The center, a strong investment of 2 million euro, bringing together the entire industrial production process by providing invaluable support to the textile industry under one roof, to young designers, the fashion schools. The 3,000 m² property offers the unique opportunity to play the industrial process of digital textile printing, from pre-treatment to the press, from steaming to washing, drying and finishing.