Kornit’s direct-to-garment (DTG) technology uses a proprietary single-step print process and eco-friendly pigment inks that produce no waste water, imprint a variety of fabrics at the push of a button and deliver vibrant and photorealistic digital impressions with durability for wash, rub and light fastness.
As the system requires virtually no set-up time or labour, print costs are low and consistent, making runs profitable from the first piece, simplifying the production of samples and making any design specifications repeatable with precision. A piece can be imprinted, dried and ready to ship or wear in minutes.
United Kingdom-based Shirtworks is implementing a Kornit Digital DTG production system for sustainable, on-demand fulfilment. In addition to implementing Kornit DTG technology, Shirtworks has also purchased the new Kornit Workflow software solution, a product resulting from Kornit’s recent acquisition of U.K.-based Custom Gateway.
The software, which provides end-to-end management capabilities of the production process (from online store to shipping logistics), helps brands and fulfillers streamline their operations, for increased efficiency, accountability, control and visibility — an ideal match for the speed, versatility and retail quality demands of the e-commerce consumer market in which Shirtworks operates.
Shirtworks services brands and consumers on five continents and prides itself on being one the first European print shop accredited ‘Organic’ by the Soil Association for both embroidery and screen printing, using ‘fair trade’ materials, and paying all employees the Real Living Wage rather than the national minimum living wage. They offer a wide variety of personalised apparel and workwear, including sportswear, sweatshirts, caps, jackets, children’s wear and other pieces.
‘Shirtworks supplies decorated garments to all industries,’ said Arron Harnden, the brand’s Managing Director. ‘We have a very diverse customer base, from consumers ordering one-offs to small brands and ethical-conscious B2Bs needing up to a thousand pieces or more. We are known as an ethical decorator, GOTS-approved for both screen and embroidery.’
Having supplemented its screen-printing capabilities with embroidery, Shirtworks believes Kornit will enable them to produce lower volumes of garments they would traditionally screen-print, in a manner that meets their quality standards and is profitable in all quantities.
Harnden expects the Kornit system to help reduce their wage costs, while meeting the very high quality control standards necessary to maintain strong customer service. ‘We turned to Kornit because it offered a one-process solution, and its inks are GOTS-approved, which is very important to us,’ said Harnden. ‘Being able to match Pantones is also very important to us, and key to moving our screen-print clients over to DTG. We also wanted a retail-ready product that would enable us to expand into drop shipping.’
‘Shirtworks was one of the first screen-print shops to establish their own website, and it’s that spirit of looking forward and anticipating customer needs that led them to supplement their production capabilities with efficient, eco-friendly Kornit systems,’ said Chris Govier, KDEU Managing Director. ‘Kornit prides itself on developing technology that offers speed, quality and versatility while answering the demand for more sustainable and responsible business practices. We’re proud to give Shirtworks the capabilities they need to grow their operation in the on-demand, e-commerce marketplace, while staying true to their mission and reputation.’
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