{"id":32087,"date":"2017-03-27T10:27:26","date_gmt":"2017-03-27T14:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.signmedia.ca\/?p=32087"},"modified":"2017-03-27T10:27:26","modified_gmt":"2017-03-27T14:27:26","slug":"inkjet-printing-patterns-in-decor-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.signmedia.ca\/inkjet-printing-patterns-in-decor-production\/","title":{"rendered":"Inkjet Printing: Patterns in decor production"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo courtesy Interprint<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Peter Saunders<\/strong>
\nThe growing popularity of inkjet printing for textiles and ceramic tiles has been well-documented, but other interior decor applications are also now being handled digitally, including wood laminate flooring, \u2018luxury\u2019 vinyl tiles (LVTs) and wallcoverings. As inkjet printers change the decorative surfaces industry in the years to come, there will be both challenges and opportunities for sign shops.<\/p>\n

\u201cDecoration is a significant part of any industrial process, but particularly important when a product has to perform both a functional and an esthetic role,\u201d says Marcus Timson, co-founder of the Industrial Print Show (InPrint), which recently conducted an industry survey in partnership with digital printing consultancy IT Strategies, decorative surfaces conference organizer TCM Conference Management and inkjet conference organizer IMI Europe. \u201cWe were seeing a growing consumer demand for mass customized products within the decor market, so we felt it was important to create a survey to investigate the rate of adoption further.\u201d<\/p>\n

The survey was conducted in July and August of 2016, with more than 100 participants within the decor production industry responding from around the world. The results suggest industrial printing is in a growth phase, with a market that is bullish about the potential for further inkjet printing of decor. As demand grows from the consumer market for shorter runs, more flexible production and customized finishing, industrial decor suppliers will be motivated to integrate inkjet technology to stay competitive. And an increasing importance is being placed on the esthetic and haptic (tactile) value of surface design.<\/p>\n

Among the d\u00e9cor segments with the most potential for inkjet technology, 74 per cent of survey respondents cited wall surface applications, including wallpaper and images on glass, plastics and other materials, and 54 per cent highlighted flooring, including wood laminate and LVTs.<\/p>\n

That said, even though single-pass inkjet systems have already virtually replaced their analogue predecessors in the ceramics sector, 75 per cent of respondents suggested digital technology will not replace analogue processes in the wider decor market, but rather add its own value and create new possibilities by performing roles and filling niches analogue cannot. Indeed, the survey found there is still a long way to go in convincing a traditional decor market that is heavily invested in analogue production to embrace inkjet systems.<\/p>\n

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These floor graphics were printed on Dekton, which blends glass, porcelain and quartz. <\/span>
\n Photo courtesy Gruppo Cosentino<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Potential market growth
\n<\/strong>InPrint\u2019s post-survey report suggests the rise of decor printing is linked to economic growth, the buoyancy of the global construction industry and demand for customized products. It is positioned to play a more significant role in the future, despite current problems that may be restricting adoption.<\/p>\n

As mentioned, there appears to be strong potential for the inkjet printing of floorcoverings, moving on from its foundation with ceramic tiles to LVTs and wood laminate. Mark Hanley, president of IT Strategies, estimates the wholesale value of the global flooring market reached $240 billion U.S. in 2014, representing some 16 billion m2<\/sup> (176 billion sf) of output. He points in particular to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, where new building construction and economic development, especially in China and India, are creating substantial demand for newly produced flooring.<\/p>\n

\u201cAPAC markets accounted for 45 per cent of global demand in 2014 and will continue to represent more than 40 per cent as industrialization and rising incomes allow consumers to renovate,\u201d says Hanley.<\/p>\n

He also predicts the lower prices of LVTs and luxury vinyl planks (LVPs), compared to ceramic tiles, will begin to steal market share.<\/p>\n

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As inkjet printing of wallpaper has been possible for several years, wallcoverings have represented stronger potential than flooring. <\/span>
\n Photo courtesy Interprint<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Investing in integration
\n<\/strong>Many of the respondents to InPrint\u2019s survey (26 per cent) were industrial technology companies, including developers, integrators and manufacturers of printheads and inks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese digital suppliers have a lot of experience in what works and what doesn\u2019t
\n in the decor market,\u201d says Hanley. \u201cThey are ready to support new models.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of the survey\u2019s participants were industrial production companies (19 per cent), material manufacturers (13 per cent), retailers (five per cent), designers (three per cent) and \u2018others\u2019 (34 per cent).<\/p>\n

For these companies, integrating inkjet technology into the production of floorcoverings and wallcoverings will take significant time and investment, but they are optimistic about the results. Nearly 25 per cent of them predicted inkjet-printed decor will experience a growth rate of up to five per cent, more than 38 per cent forecast a rate of between 10 and 15 per cent and, finally, more than 36 per cent supported a rate of 15 per cent or more.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrowth rates only normalize when the market reaches a threshold volume, which on the whole it has not done yet,\u201d says Hanley. \u201cRates will be higher before and lower later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walls vs. floors
\n<\/strong>When comparing walls to floors, customization is more easily achievable for wallcoverings, as they do not face the same functional challenges of toughness and durability and, for that matter, their costs per area are lower. Further, inkjet printing of wallpaper has been possible for many shops for several years now. So, wallcoverings have seemingly represented stronger potential for inkjet than flooring.<\/p>\n

\u201cWallpaper\u2019s popularity reflects publicity around technologies like durable aqueous \u2018latex\u2019 inks, as well as successful retail applications,\u201d says Hanley.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the potential for inkjet-printed flooring and laminates was regarded as significant by the respondents to InPrint\u2019s survey. The technical challenges, supply chain complexity and production demands are greater, but so is the overall scale of the market. Once inkjet technology starts to make inroads, the data suggests, the volume of flooring it handles could easily outpace wallpaper production in the medium term, particularly as floorcovering suppliers recognize its value in reducing multiple stages of production, enhancing efficiency and accelerating the speed of bringing new products to market.<\/p>\n

Short-run vs. industrial-capacity
\n<\/strong>InPrint\u2019s research also suggests there are, broadly, two types of markets for inkjet printing of decor: (a) a short-run industrial market, served by existing flatbed and roll-to-roll (RTR) inkjet printers, and (b) an industrial-capacity market focused on customized, single-pass, in-line inkjet production, including direct-to-surface printing.<\/p>\n

The survey suggests the short-run market has the strongest potential as a key opportunity. The individualized, frequently changeable environments that are achievable with digital inkjet printing tend to require localized production and are less likely to be part of a mass production line. The customer base includes commercial, retail and hospitality venues, including restaurants and hotels.<\/p>\n

There is also a considerable amount of investment in direct-to-surface inkjet printing. In flooring, this technology provides a high-quality, lower-cost alternative to other decoration methods, e.g.<\/em> by simulating both the esthetic and haptic traits of wood. If the \u2018feel\u2019 of the print matches its visual appearance, the perceived value is higher. With such specialized applications, however, this higher value is countered by smaller market potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cDirect-to-surface haptic inkjet printing is still in early phases of development,\u201d says Hanley. \u201cIt can work as a substitute for expensive wood and will probably get bigger over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

That said, inkjet printing of laminates for flooring is also helpful for shorter runs. The technology offers flexibility that may appeal even to larger manufacturers.<\/p>\n

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Formica Group has inkjet-printed architectural laminates for dividers, tabletops and display walls. <\/span>
\n Photos courtesy Formica Group<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Benefits and obstacles
\n<\/strong>The survey\u2019s participants were asked, \u201cWhat do you believe is the main value that inkjet printing provides for decor production?\u201d With multiple answers permitted, the most popular options cited were the following:<\/p>\n