The Sustainable Way of Prints

  • APR Story

Prints are making a big comeback. After seasons of neutral ‘stay-at-home' looks and plain basics, expect consumers to gravitate towards items that put the fun back into fashion. It’s time to invest in uplifting print design and artistic and bold colors. Dots, stripes, florals, gingham—these are just some of the most fashionable prints in fashion for 2023.

Designers don’t just reinvent tired spring prints like geometrics and polka dots. They also become more inventive, with designs that are joyful and expressive. The painter's canvas print is the most prominent example of the fresh approach. This pattern is defined primarily by how it appears and feels. It can be seen in pieces that appear to be inspired by watercolor paintings. It's almost as if designers saw clothing as a canvas this season and decided to paint on patterns exhibition-worthy.

Eco-Print Technology for a Sustainable Future

Direct printing of botanical elements has become one of the world's most popular textile art forms. The basic process involves imprinting leaves on cloth with three components: pressure, moisture and heat.


Figure : Dots, stripes, florals, gingham—these are just some of the most fashionable prints in fashion for 2023.

In eco-printing, dyeing and printing are done by using natural pigments present in the environment. The plant material is arranged and bundled inside the cloth before being steamed or boiled to release the natural dye found within the plant, resulting in a contact print in the shape of the flower or leaf used. This process allows natural pigments to leave incredible form and color details on fabrics.

Eco-printing is a fascinating and intricate process that involves using natural materials to create unique and one-of-a-kind prints on fabric. Each season brings with it a new color palette, which means that if you have a preference for a particular palette, it may not be available in the following season. The process of eco-printing involves a number of steps, and it requires a certain level of skill and expertise to produce high-quality prints.

The resulting prints are often quite abstract, as the impressions made by the leaves and flowers are not always clear or well-defined. The final result can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the type of fabric used.

A new style of sustainable print is emerging as manufacturers respond to consumer demand for eco-friendly fabrics, such as viscose. Viscose has excellent color retention and is easily printed, which appeals to fashion designers and industry experts. This is why viscose is commonly found in the most sophisticated colors. It will display consistent, deep colors and be suitable for bright prints. The prints are also trendy, bright and highly fashionable.

APR contributes to a positive change in viscose printed fabric, particularly in the finishing process, and thus significantly contributes to resource-efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.


The market already recognizes viscose rayon for its breathability and durability. It is made of wood fibres and provides a high level of comfort while retaining high strength and longevity. In comparison to other fabrics, viscose rayon is biodegradable and renewable.

 

APR has announced that tests have confirmed the biodegradability of its fibres in fresh water and soil. The tests were carried out by independent research laboratory Organic Waste Systems and, as a result, APR’s viscose staple fibres (VSF) have been awarded the international OK biodegradability WATER and OK biodegradability SOIL labels by accredited certification board, TUV Austria.

 

Furthermore, APR also obtained PEFC Chain of Custody certification. It provides independent verified assurance that the certified forest-based material contained in a product originates from sustainably managed forests.

Viscose rayon can be blended with cotton to create a material that is smooth to the touch, softer than silk, has exceptional moisture wicking management properties, and is extremely flexible, resulting in high-quality products for consumers. Clothing brands can take advantage of this by offering garments made using sustainable manufacturing processes that use renewable resources.

Overall, eco-printing is a unique and environmentally friendly way to create beautiful and one-of-a-kind textiles. It requires patience, skill, and an appreciation for the natural world, but the results can be truly breathtaking.

Asia Pacific Rayon (APR), based in Indonesia, is Asia's first fully integrated viscose rayon producer, from plantation to viscose fibre. APR, which has a capacity of 300,000 tonnes per year, is located in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau Province, Indonesia, alongside pulp supplier APRIL. APR and APRIL are both part of Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), group of companies.