By Melissa Donovan
Part 2 of 2
Fabric optimized for digital print, specifically used for home furnishings, is growing in options. Vendors now offer products with the ultimate end goal of a chair, curtain, tablecloth, or curtain in mind. Many of these solutions are polyester-based to work well with dye-sublimation (dye-sub) and even latex technologies. Other fabrics, such as natural cottons, are designed for pigment-based printing. Here we share information from leading vendors in the space.
Fabric for Home
Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc. offers a range of fabrics for home furnishings. This includes Upholstery FR, Linen FR, Twill FR, Universal Knit 400 FR, Soft Knit 5 FR, RePlay 2 FR, and Act II FR. All are polyester fabrics compatible with dye-sub transfer printing. Each individual material is also compatible with a variety of ink sets and widths vary as well.
Brand Management Group is the main distributor for HP, Inc.’s large format media line of products. In this portfolio, HP Light Fabric is offered and used for home furnishing applications. A knitted polyester, it can be directly printed with latex technologies. It is available in widths of 42, 54, 60, and 122 inches. Pricing per square foot is $0.64.
Expand Systems, LLC offers multiple options in its DuraVibe fabric line. Of note, 3014 Warp Satin, which is a 100 percent cotton compatible with pigment, reactive, and latex inks and available in 56-inch roll widths. It is ideal for home décor like upholstery and curtains. Additional materials which are targeted at dye-sub and latex printing include 100 percent polyester 2401 Inherent FR, 100 percent polyester 2439 Lt Zara, polyester linen blend 2451 Savannah, and 100 percent polyester 2442 Portland.
Fisher Textiles’ portfolio includes several materials targeted at home furnishing applications. Top sellers include GF 9766 Poly Cube, a 100 percent polyester originally created for office cubicle fabric, but is also used for pillows and curtains thanks to its unique texture and soft hand. It is available in widths up to 118 inches and is dye-sub compatible. Another favorite, GF 9049 EZ Stretch is 100 percent polyester, dye-sub compatible, and 122 inches wide. It is wrinkle resistant and has stretch in both directions, ideal for pillow fabric.
Pacific Coast Fabrics offers five polyester options in its home furnishing line. Poly Linen S/530 with DuPont Teflon Durable Water Repel is one of its newest products. It is a soft, durable woven 100 percent polyester fabric with a true linen look. It is ideal for pillows, drapes, roman shades, shower curtains, and tablecloths. The company also offers ten cotton choices for the home furnishing market, including Topanga B6055, which is a 100 percent versatile cotton basket weave canvas.
In the Home
There are a number of options from multiple vendors when it comes to fabric used in home furnishing applications. Digital Output will continue to report on new products as this segment of the market grows and
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Furnishing the Home.
Click on the link above to get more information on the vendors mentioned in this article.
Sep2016, Digital Output DOHF1609
