Jet printing for the textile industry

Ink jet printing allows a quick output for decision making on printed samples of an original design. The process fulfills customer demands for quick response and less inventory, and offers economy in sampling and production time. Drop-on-demand and continuous ink jet are the principal usable ink jet technologies. Principles, typical applications, and trade-offs will be reviewed. Projects are under development in Japan (Canon-Kanebo, Komatsu-Seiren, Seiren) and in Europe (Stork, TOXOT) either for proofing use or for short-run printing. Technical specifications and potential industrial applications are examined.