Textile printing has seen a large number of innovations when it comes to printing methods since hand block printing was substituted by machine methods. The evolution from traditional design methods to using a CAD printing system has the potential to be a very positive experience.
The main advantage of the use of CAD printing systems is the creation of original designs. Printing is indeed an art: printing could be defined as localised dyeing, and this can produce designs of various innovative ideas.
A good CAD printing system should enable you to create design ideas quickly to make your work easier and faster. It should fit seamlessly into your current work and become a invaluable and efficient tool, creative technique that works with you and for you.
This is a list of checkpoints that any good CAD system for textiles should be capable of:
Design: CAD
- Easy to learn and to use
- Great instruction manuals and online tutorials
- Will empower you to create libraries of weaves, yarns and designs
- Will empower you to create designs easily in a timely manner
- You can use the computer screen to visualise the fabric accurately
- Generate new designs concepts easily and quickly
Production: CAM
- Generate accurate printouts using a colour printer
- Generate printed production data with weaving instructions
- Generate data to interface with machinery for the electronic textile production
- You can send design information and share it by email easily
- Most CAD printing systems should be capable of all of the above
What about colour CAD printing?
Colour CAD printers are on the rise. Color CAD printing is nothing new, and actually its rise has long been predicted. There are many factors that are pushing its growing acceptance. These include a wider range of printers than can print colour CAD and also a growing understanding of the error-reduction value that comes with colour prints of complex BIM drawings. There are also some factors that might still drag down its growth, for instance the continued price concerns as well as the accompanying fear of shrinking margins.