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Agi & Sam, a menswear label described as a 'fast rising' brand on the UK fashion scene, has commented on its use of digital polyester printing for its collection. Macclesfield-based print supplier R A Smart used a Mimaki Tx400-1800D textile ink-jet printer to create the designs of Agi & Sam, aka Agape Mdumulla and Sam Cotton.

Cotton recently visited R A Smart to discuss the sourcing of fabric. "Finding the right fabric remains a challenge," comments Magnus Mighall, senior partner at R A Smart, "although there are fewer obstacles now, as we can digitally print to almost any material with either dye sublimation, reactive, acid or pigment inks."

Cotton adds: "Dye sublimation is such an integral part of fashion printing and for next season we're looking to mix natural cloths with manmade fabrics in a contemporary and clean collection."

Few printers offer polyester printing for clothing, however, states Mimaki distributor Hybrid Services. "The majority of polyester is being printed for soft signage, sportswear or the flag industry," says Mighall, "and whilst there are a number of well-known bureau services for printing natural fabrics, I'm not surprised that Agi & Sam initially struggled to find a print partner for its polyester work."