Driving on-demand printed textile production with Prinfab

Debbie McKeegan speaks to Prinfab's co-founders, Oliver and Harry Mustoe-Playfair during a site visit about their on-demand digital textile printing. Oliver and Harry share that sustainability is an important factor of the business as well as technical innovation, automation and the need for customer centric service.

Established in 2016, Prinfab quickly established itself as a forerunner for on-demand digital textile printing. Based in the UK, the business is focussed 100% on its customers and remains renowned for its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

At the core of its operations lies an on-demand service model that minimises waste by producing printed textiles only when ordered, ensuring a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
Prinfab leverages cutting-edge digital printing technologies from Epson to deliver vibrant, high-quality digital textile prints, positioning itself as a leader in the industry. "We take our customers dreams and print them onto fabric on demand in very quick time." Harry Mustoe-Playfair.

The company's emphasis on sustainability is not only reflected in its production workflow but also in its choice of eco-friendly machinery and materials. By blending technical advancement with environmental stewardship, Prinfab demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset that sets it apart from its competitors.

During a recent site visit with the FESPA team, Graeme Richardson-Locke, Head of Technical Innovation, with Kelly-Ann the Online Content Marketing Manager and Prinfab’s co-founders Oliver and Harry Mustoe-Playfair each discussed a number of perspectives on: sustainability, technical innovation, workflow and the demand for customer centric service.

Oliver elaborated on the importance of Prinfab's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of printed textiles through the adoption of eco-friendly printing process, inks and responsibly sourced fabrics - positioning Prinfab at the forefront of environmental best-practice in the textile industry. The conversation highlighted how Prinfab leverages its suite of cutting-edge digital printing technology from Epson, to deliver bespoke printed textiles with unprecedented speed and quality, allowing for significant customisation.

To deliver that customisation, the team at Prinfab have innovated beyond available technology, particularly in software. Olivers brother and co-founder Harry Mustoe-Playfair has been instrumental in the development and implementation of their integrated workflow software, a system that efficiently streamlines production through their ecommerce portal, through printed production and onto integrated, seamless fulfilment. Harry went further to explain how the service will improve "We hope to decrease our turnaround time... we'd really like to get to next day turnaround... That's something that we've had a lot of demand for, and people are really screaming for it at the moment." - Harry Mustoe-Playfair

Sustainability Trends and Supply Chain Transparency

Driven by increased customer demand for organic and sustainable fabrics, Prinfab takes significant measures to maintain transparency in its supply chain. Reflecting on this trend, Oliver Mustoe-Playfair commented, "Our customers often want to see accreditations or where exactly their fabrics have come from. So, we go to great length to provide as much of that information as we can..."

Notably, the company draws on certifications, such as OEKO-TEX accreditation, to reassure customers of its commitment to sustainable practices. However, Mustoe acknowledges the persistent tension between sustainability and quality/value aspects of fabric, expressing that "their best-selling fabric isn't organic – yet".

Technology-Driven Approach

Prinfab’s success rests on its technology-forward strategy. Oliver regards the company as much a technology entity as a textile firm. "We don’t look back. We're always looking forward," he says, indicating their focus on minimising waste and reducing print failures through their ongoing investment in the latest most sustainable digital textile print machinery and software.

Customer Service Excellence

Speaking of Prinfab’s customer service, Graeme Richardson Locke offered a firsthand account of his experience as a customer, highlighting the company's efficiency and emphasis on a frictionless experience. Oliver attributes Prinfab's success in this area to their focused approach – "only printing fabrics and doing it exceptionally well" he stated.
One of the company’s proudest achievements is their high Trustpilot rating, a testament to their dedication to customer satisfaction. “We’re the highest-rated textile printer on Trustpilot. It’s one of our biggest achievements, something we’re really proud of,” says Oliver Mustoe-Playfair.

Summary

This conversation unveils the core principles that guide Prinfab’s business and success: sustainability, transparency, technological innovation, and stellar customer service. The team at Prinfab's continually strive (and succeed) in balancing market demands, sustainability goals, and commercial feasibility.

Their story and family business serves as an inspiration to all - stay ahead of the curve by embracing sustainable practice, investing and leveraging technology, and importantly - prioritising customer satisfaction. We thank the team at Prinfab for their valuable time and for sharing their passion, insight and knowledge. We look forward to witnessing their continued success.