Global tech firm Epson is celebrating the opening of its new Innovation Centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, by launching its first-ever Textile Academy. A platform “to inspire young people to contribute to a better, more eco-friendly textile industry” its inaugural Textile Academy comprised of a one-day workshop for textile design students at nearby Nottingham Trent University (NTU). 

During this event, the NTU textile design students were given the opportunity to print their individual designs onto a range of substrates using Epson’s broad range of digital textile printing solutions spanning direct-to-garment (DTG), direct-to-film (DTFilm), and dye sublimation printers.

An award for the design with the greatest creativity, colour, and impact (as determined by attending media) went to Katy Harvey in the form of a SureColor F100 dye-sublimation printer.

Students also underwent a business workshop, where they were given a broad scope of insight into commercialising textile printing, with Phil McMullin, (head of Sales for large format print at Epson), Oliver Mustoe-Playfair (co-founder at Prinfab), Taran Rai (sustainability manager at Epson), and Polly Chapman (marketing manager at Epson).

In a series of presentations, students also heard from experts in the world of textiles about “the challenges, opportunities, and environmental implications of printing in fashion”. They included: ‘Fashion designer spotlight’ with April Holyome, head of Product at 16Arlington; ‘Sustainability spotlight’ with Taranpreet Rai, corporate sustainability manager at Epson UK; ‘Corporate principles’ with Duncan Ferguson, MD and European VP for large format print, Epson UK; and ‘Business showcase from Epson customer Prinfab’ from business owner Oliver Mustoe-Playfair.