The development of rotary-screen printing

Automation and increased productivity were the watchwords in the textile industry following World War II. A number of engineers in different countries sought a means of merging the expensive engraved metal roll printing with the cost benefits of flat-screen printing. William A. Hoffman of the United States developed a prototype in 1947 as a part of his senior thesis at Philadelphia Textile Institute. The first commercially introduced machine by de Barros of Portugal in 1954 was succeeded by the galvano direct eng raved process of Peter Zimmer in 1959 and the less costly lacquer screen process of Stork in 1963. By 1978, rotary-screen printing had eclipsed roller printing as the new technology was widely accepted. Today, well over 60% of all textile printing is performed on rotary screen machines.