Sustainability Is Driving A Major Shift In The Textile Printing Market: Dr. Bharanitharan

The flexibility, sustainability and customization offered by digital systems are transforming how manufacturers respond to customer demand, avers Dr. R. Bharanitharan

ColorJet India Ltd, one of the leading names in digital textile printing solutions, made a strong impression at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 with the launch of its latest innovation, the FabJet Pro, a 3.2-metre digital inkjet printer designed specifically for the home furnishing and apparel segments.

Introducing the model, Dr. R. Bharanitharan, Associate Vice President & Head – India Sales, ColorJet India Ltd, said, “The FabJet Pro is a 3.2-metre-long bed printer mainly used in the furnishings industry for curtains, bedsheets and other large-format textiles. It delivers up to 13,000 square metres per day and can also cater to the apparel segment when configured with dual printing rows.”

The FabJet Pro supports 32 to 48 print heads, configurable in CMYK and eight-colour combinations, allowing users to achieve superior quality and higher production rates. The printer is available in two ink solutions – pigment and disperse, catering to different fabric types. “For polyester, we offer a direct disperse option and for cotton-based fabrics, pigment is used,” explained Dr. Bharanitharan.

Currently, ColorJet has installed five FabJet Pro units, three in India and two internationally, all operating successfully in the furnishing segment using pigment inks.

“Sustainability is driving a major shift in the market,” said Dr. Bharanitharan. “Demand for pigment printing is increasing, especially in international markets. Customers and governments are becoming more conscious about water and energy consumption. Pigment printing offers a more eco-friendly solution with lower water and electricity usage.”

The response at ITMA Asia has been overwhelmingly positive. “Visitors are quite mesmerized with the 3.2-metre format dedicated to furnishings,” he shared. “We’re getting strong interest from Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as from Southern India and Surat. The comprehensive setup we’re displaying from feeder to printer to drying and curing, has impressed visitors looking for a complete solution.”

Commenting on broader industry trends, Dr. Bharanitharan added, “We’re seeing a clear shift from rotary to digital printing. The flexibility, sustainability and customization offered by digital systems are transforming how manufacturers respond to customer demand. With digital printing, there’s no limitation on volume or design. It’s the future of textile production.”