By Olivia Cahoon
Part 1 of 2
For textile and apparel manufacturers utilizing digital printing and finishing capabilities, it is more important than ever to have a software solution that automates the textile manufacturing process as a whole. It helps reduce error, save time, and increase efficiency.
Print-and-cut software offers a variety of features, the most essential is the ability to work with many formats, nesting, and pattern matching. Manufacturers should determine their own needs before investing in a solution.
Print & Cut Software
The textile and apparel market is a strong industry with increasing pressure for manufacturers to remain competitive. As part of that daily challenge, solutions support the production process to ensure it is as efficient as possible.
“Solutions that provide automation capabilities from file open through to print—and even post print—save time and reduce the likelihood of manual errors,” shares Bryan Manwaring, director of product marketing, Onyx Graphics, Inc. Additionally, automated processes positively impact production capabilities while enabling the ability to print more jobs per day—directly affecting the bottom line.
Integrating print-and-cut software adds efficiency to the workflow. With an integrated software and hardware approach, the workflow is completely streamlined and allows companies to go from design to print to cut quickly while maintaining data integrity, explains Lenny Marano, VP, product management and marketing, automation systems, Gerber Technology. “Companies who utilize an integrated approach move with the speed and agility required to keep up with the fast-paced consumer climate.”
Apparel, sign and graphics, and packaging all benefit from cutting software. “For all of these applications, print-and-cut software fulfills consumers’ need for immediate gratification by reducing time to market and allowing for mass customization,” comments Marano. It also allows for short-run manufacturing that reduces inventory and allows companies to better respond to market changes.
Main Features
Print-and-cut software is available with a variety of features from leather handling to pattern matching and quality control. Unless a manufacturer is offering a specific textile application, it’s best to invest in software that includes format compatibility, piece selection, and nesting.
Cutting software solutions should be open to working with many different formats instead of locking customers into one proprietary platform. For example, Zünd pairs its cutting solutions with CAD/design software offerings for any textile application.
“Understanding the different markets and making it easy to integrate our digital cutting solutions in existing workflows permits customers to take full advantage of all the benefits of high-yield parts nesting and difficult pattern matching for their parts,” admits Andy Arkin, strategic account manager, Zünd America.
It’s essential that only the pieces intended for the textile product are printed, rather than the entire material. Thomas Kirschner, CEO/founder, ColorGATE, says this ensures minimal ink and substrate waste. “Highly efficient nesting algorithms support this aim to minimize resource wastage.”
Beyond this, spreading, cutting, and bundling/assembling should also be included. “The two largest benefits are knowing the amount of time that will be required to perform the task, therefore aiding in production planning and costing,” suggests Bob Craig, VP operations, Methods Workshop LLC.
According to Marano, additional features found in print-and-cut software for textiles and apparel include planning, nesting to reduce waste, integration with RIPs for easy file editing, compatibility with third-party software, and features to accommodate stretch/puckering fabrics.
Consider Your Needs
Before investing in print-and-cut software for digital printing, manufacturers should determine their own needs to find the best solution.
First, manufacturers can assess what is most important to the business before making a software purchase decision. For example, Manwaring says printers should determine if they even need print-and-cut software, if the solution is a full 64-bit product across all applications, if it offers a network license solution to meet daily production needs, and if it supports all of the manufacturer’s devices.
Additionally, it’s important to look at automated workflow capabilities, color management options, and tools that provide efficient business data. “These questions and more are just some of the things print providers might consider before making a software decision,” shares Manwaring.
For apparel manufacturers, it’s essential to invest in solutions that accommodate specific needs and provide open platforms that work with leading apparel-specific 2D/3D CAD systems. According to Arkin, customers need to look for solutions that embrace customization, personalization, one off, fast fashion, and on-demand manufacturing with fast single-ply cutting technology that can meet their production requirements today and in the future.
Automated Textile Production
Textile and apparel manufacturers require robust software to power their cutting solutions. Many times, this software also communicates seamlessly with the printer for producing apparel. Print-and-cut software is available for this purpose with a variety of features.
Part two of this series reviews print-and-cut software for textile production in industrial manufacturing settings.
Click here to read part two of this exclusive online series, Automate Textile Production.
Nov2019, Industrial Print Magazine