Expanding Our Printing Capabilities with New Pigment Technology
By Friedmans, 8 October 2025
At Friedmans, we are continually investing in the latest technology to deliver the highest quality fabrics with greater efficiency and sustainability. Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting our partners at R A Smart, Hybrid Services, and Mimaki to see our new pigment printer in action an exciting step forward for our digital textile printing capabilities.
Unlike sublimation printing, which transfers ink onto paper before being applied to fabric, pigment printing prints directly onto the textile. This direct-to-fabric process eliminates the need for transfer paper, reducing waste and energy use. Moreover, pigment printing is a waterless process, making it a far more environmentally responsible option compared to traditional dyeing or printing methods that rely heavily on water consumption.
Beyond its ecological benefits, our new pigment printer significantly enhances operational efficiency. The process is quicker, effectively doubling our production capacity and allowing us to respond with more agility to both bulk orders and sample requests. Faster turnaround times mean our customers benefit from more reactive lead times without compromising on quality or colour precision.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of our production standards. We’re proud to confirm that this new pigment printing system is bluesign® certified. The bluesign® certification ensures that our textiles are produced using safe chemicals and environmentally sound processes, and that all air and water emissions from manufacturing are thoroughly clean.
This latest printer also introduces an expanded colour setup, including the addition of a new green channel. This enhancement allows for a wider and more vibrant colour gamut, ensuring exceptional accuracy and richness in every design we produce.
Pigment printing performs exceptionally well on natural and blended fabrics, particularly cotton, linen, and certain poly-cotton or polyester bases. These materials provide excellent colour vibrancy and durability, making them ideal for fashion, interiors, and performance wear.
In line with this technological upgrade, Friedmans will also be expanding our range of base fabrics. This means even more choice and creative potential for our customers.
The innovation doesn’t stop there…we’re also excited to announce that a new transfer calendar will be arriving soon.
This investment will further increase our production capacity, enabling even faster turnaround times and improved efficiency across our sublimation printing services. By expanding both our pigment and sublimation capabilities, we’re ensuring our customers have access to the best possible quality, flexibility, and speed no matter the project requirements.
At Friedmans, innovation and responsibility go hand in hand. Our investment in pigment printing technology reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainable production, faster service, and superior results for our customers.
