Epson signs exclusive partnership with the Australian Fashion Council

Epson and the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) have signed an official partnership cementing Epson as the AFC’s exclusive Digital Print and Projection Partner. They have also jointly commissioned a study to explore the current state and future potential of manufacturing for the clothing and textile industries in Victoria, to help build a business case for increased investment to boost jobs and the economy.

“Epson prides itself on being an innovative technology leader and a champion of sustainable practices. Our commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability are in perfect alignment with the AFC’s values – which is why this partnership is good news for the Australian fashion and textiles industry,” says Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director, Epson Australia.

Both organisations also look forward to exploring new sustainability initiatives for the fashion industry, including applications for the latest digital textile printing technology.

The partnership with Epson supports the AFC in delivering its goals to help build future onshore manufacturing capability, develop future skills and career pathways to boost economic security for the industry and transition the industry to a sustainable, circular economy by 2030.

“The AFC seeks collaborative values-aligned partnerships to help us in our mission to guide the just transformation of Australia’s fashion and textile industry to a thriving circular economy by 2030. Epson’s strong commitment and proven capabilities at unlocking innovative technology that advances sustainable practice make them a perfect partner for the AFC and our industry.  Their digital textile printing and projection technology, which has been proven to be transformational in other global markets, has the potential to provide significant learnings and benefits to the Australian industry,” says Leila Naja Hibri, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Fashion Council.

Heckenberg adds, “The new Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric textile printer series is a real game changer as traditional printing techniques such as screen-printing use high volumes of water and harsh chemicals that, if not processed and treated properly, can end up in waterways. Monna Lisa printers allow organisations to do short runs within made-to-order purchasing workflows - excellent ways to reduce over-ordering and over-consumption in our industry.”

Epson’s Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric textile printer series has potential for the Australian industry, combining performance and usability to meet the need for flexibility and sustainability. Hibri comments, “As the Australian fashion and textile industry transitions to a circular economy, Epson’s innovative fabric printing technology will be a great enabler to smaller batch and on-demand manufacturing. Due to growing demand for ethically manufactured fashion as well as global trends and regulations requiring the same, new approaches like these are critical to the success of our industry’s national clothing product stewardship scheme, Seamless, which aims to change the way Australians design, consume and recycle clothing.”

“Epson offers proven technology and solutions designed and developed specifically for local, onshore manufacturing and textile printing. Epson is also fully committed to collaborative partnerships that embrace sustainability across the Australian fashion and textile industry, and this new partnership with the AFC is an excellent example of that commitment in practice,” concludes Heckenberg.