Printing technologies

The future of textile printing begins at the DITF. Here, all technologies from classic screen printing to modern digital processes such as inkjet printing and 3D printing are available. The main focus in printing processes is sustainability and thus low material, water and energy consumption.

Technological focus is the development of new color and functional inks and optimized pretreatment of goods for printing. This results in new color inks that can be universally used on all substrates and can be fixed with UV light in an energy-saving manner.

Range of services:

  • New, universally-applicable color inks for all substrates
  • Invisible security inks for counterfeit protection
  • Oil and water-repellent printing inks
  • Electrically-conductive inks for printing textile switches or heating elements
  • Energy-saving fixation of color inks using UV light
  • Online color sensors for water-saving dyeing and waste water control
  • 3D printing of composite materials by combining thermoplastics and reinforcing fibers

Infos und Downdloads

    • TPU structures on textiles. Photo: DITF
    New 3D printer at the DITF

    The Arburg freeformer 300-3x supports research work at the DITF. The 3D printer is being used to investigate additive manufacturing with or on textiles. The investment was funded by EFRE and the state of Baden-Württemberg.

    Further information

    DITF awarded the Show Stopper Award of the IFAI EXPO also in 2020

    Dr. Reinhold Schneider and his team receive the award in the category "Chemicals, Coatings and Compounds" for their research work on UV-curable polymers for use in composite materials.

    Further information

    High Performance Fiber Center - Pilot Production

    Current overview of services

    On more than 1,000m², DITF offers state-of-the-art facilities, unmatched world-wide, for an efficient development of high-performance fibers. More information about the technical equipment and applications of the HPFC can be found in our flyer. Download here

    Pilot production at the DITF

    The DITF operates a pilot factory that integrates all of the important technologies along the textile process chain. With the pilot factory, DITF provides the industry with the unique option to produce zero or small series.