6 suppliers of environmentally friendly fabrics for Digital Textile Printing

Debbie McKeegan shares 6 suppliers who are combining sustainability and producing high quality sustainable fabrics for digital textile printing. They are proving that businesses can be environmentally responsible without sacrificing the quality of their product.

Digital printing is an industry in rapid evolution, forced to adapt and innovate in the face of changing technologies, market sectors, and an ever-increasing emphasis on sustainability.

As the demand for products that respect the environment grows across all sectors, the pressure is mounting for all involved, from product designers to manufacturers and retailers, to ensure their products meet the high standards of sustainability expected by today's consumers.

The complexity arises not only from the diverse needs of each sector, but also from the stringent certifications, time-consuming sourcing of eco-friendly fabrics, and new legislation regarding sustainability, with ESPR, DPP, EPR and certifications such as Oeko-Tex, GOTS, and other third-party validations, some already or soon becoming mandatory for many retailers, suppliers, venues and events. Add in the ongoing learning curve of certification and numerous new legislation initiatives now on the horizon: Sourcing and holding consistent stocks of certified, eco-friendly fabrics is now a time- consuming task for many digital printers.

However, the industry is stepping up to the challenge, adapting, learning and forming strategic relationships to ensure they can continue to provide high-quality, sustainable products. Amidst this transformation, finding the right supplier is becoming increasingly crucial, with many factors to consider beyond just pricing. Six notable suppliers both in Europe and the USA stand out, providing environmentally friendly fabrics tailored for digital printing for a multitude of applications. Companies like Premier Digital Textiles, Berger Textiles, Fisher Textiles, Soyang Europe, Texo Trade Services, and the Pongs Group are paving the way in this new era of sustainable digital textile printing, offering a variety of innovative, eco-friendly fabric solutions.

The industry is clearly working hard to comply with the impact, organisation rewire and implementation of global, acutely complicated legislation. Partnering with the right supplier has never been more important, and there are many factors to consider in your choice. Here are six noteworthy suppliers in both Europe and the USA that provide environmentally friendly fabrics tailored for digital printing for multiple applications.

Premier Digital Textiles

Premier Digital Textiles, a top-tier provider in Europe, delivers high-quality fabrics designed for digital textile printing. They cater to the home furnishings, interior decor, and fashion sectors while leveraging their extensive experience in textiles. Offering a diverse selection from stock, including natural fibres like cotton and linen, as well as manmade fibres such as polyester and viscose. Uniquely, Premier Digital Textiles also provides various new innovative blends and textile constructions, specialising in digital textile printing.

Revolutionary 100% Recycled Cotton: Premier Textiles is setting new standards with their 100% recycled cotton, crafted entirely from pre-consumer waste. This medium-quality plain weave is suitable for various applications, such as home furnishings, apparel, and accessories. Its sustainable origin makes it an excellent choice for eco-conscious consumers.

NEW Biodegradable Polyester: Debuting in 2024, Premier Textiles introduces a 100% polyester with biodegradable technology. This innovative fabric is designed to degrade like natural materials in landfills, significantly reducing microfibre pollution and synthetic textile accumulation.

Berger Textiles

Berger Textiles offer fabrics for multiple applications including Soft Signage, Apparel, Interior Furnishings and Accessories. Their 'EVO range, created for signage applications, exemplifies their commitment to a circular economy. These sustainable textiles are produced using GRS-certified recycled yarns without sacrificing performance. The ‘EVO range includes: Lumina Evolution / Samba Evolution for backlit frames, Mozaik Evolution for exhibitions, Revolution Evolution / Display Evolution for front-lit displays, Matisse Evolution for artistic prints, Aero Evolution / Wind Evolution for high-performance flags.

FISHER TEXTILES

Fisher Textiles is a leading supplier of fabric for digital printing in North America. They offer an extensive range of award-winning fabrics for dye sublimation, UV, Latex and Solvent printing – Suitable for Fashion, Sportswear, Home Furnishings and Retail Display.   Their award-winning fabric: ET9708 Heavy Knit is a dye-sub printable fabric for table throws and linens made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. It contains 40.1 recycled PET bottles (500ml) per linear yard, is stocked 126 inches wide, and is flame retardant (NFPA 701, Cal Title 19). Using recycled polyester not only reduces landfill waste but also minimizes energy consumption.

Also recently launched for soft signage applications is the award winning ET9019 Nirvana BOB, an eco-conscious iteration of the acclaimed GF4019 Nirvana. Comprising 40% post-consumer recycled yarns, it features a printable white face and a finished black back, providing a two-in-one solution. It enhances print quality, reduces material waste, and streamlines production processes.

SOYANG EUROPE

Soyang Europe is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings for the multiple industries including sign & display, design, marketing, construction and décor.

Soyangs Flag Recycled ST-110R is a 100% polyester, warp-knitted fabric is made from recycled yarns. Ideal for flags and in-store retail graphics, it provides a sustainable option for visual displays. Key features include: Width up to 3.2m, Weight of 280g, Fire rating of B1 and it is suitable for direct sublimation, transfer sublimation, latex, and UV printing. Another fabric of note is the ST-117R PET Vista Display. This dense, 100% recycled polyester warp-knitted display fabric is ideal for impactful visual graphics. It is wrinkle-free, easy to transport, and perfect for retail and exhibition sectors in textile tension frames.

TEXO TRADE SERVICES

Texo Trade Services offer a range of sustainable solutions, including GREEN Textiles and support their customers in responsibly managing their activities socially and environmentally. GREEN Textiles for the soft signage industry are made from recycled PET yarn and offer environmentally friendly printing products. “This allows companies to meet the demand for sustainable products and make a direct contribution to a greener future”.

An example of which is their 110 Recycled FR: this lightweight flag fabric made of 100% recycled polyester is flame retardant, certified and suitable for sublimation transfer and direct printing, it is ideal for flags, banners, and outdoor use. Features include excellent print-through, PVC-free and non-fraying with cold cutting and is flame retardant.

PONGS GROUP

PONGS®, a prominent global textile firm, prides itself on extreme ecological consciousness. They strive to not just meet but to exceed globally recognised environmental standards. With their cutting-edge energy and environmental technologies, they manage resources efficiently, reduce environmental footprint, and manufacture climate-friendly products.
Recently launched: Pongs Group presents AKUSTICO® NewLife FR (DirectTex®), a sound-absorbing textile made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. Sustainable, environmentally friendly, and permanently flame retardant, it is perfect for a variety of applications.

In Summary

The onus on the digital print industry to adopt and promote sustainable practices has never been more pressing. As it becomes a necessity rather than an option, the sourcing of certified, eco-friendly fabrics becomes both an obligation to meet environmental standards and a competitive edge in the market.

The six suppliers mentioned – Premier Digital Textiles, Berger Textiles, Fisher Textiles, Soyang Europe, Texo Trade Services, and the Pongs Group – demonstrate that the transition to more sustainable practices is possible. They are offering solutions that not only meet but often exceed the demanding sustainability requirements of today's market.
These suppliers are combining innovation with sustainability, producing high-quality, eco-friendly fabrics for digital printing that meets a variety of sector needs. They are proving that businesses can make environmentally responsible choices without compromising on the quality of their output. As we see an increasing shift towards sustainability across industries, bringing eco-friendly solutions to the forefront of digital printing is not only responsible but strategically sound for future business growth.

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