Copyright Trolls

PeroffheadshotBy Mark Peroff

Copyright trolls — registering copyrights on a large universe of fabric designs and then pouncing on unsuspecting manufacturers and retailers — are now an unpleasantly hot industry trend. They operate with the intent of making money in litigation by aggressively and opportunistically filing complaints against legitimate companies that are unaware any copyrights exist – banking on the fact that their targets would rather pay and settle than fight a costly lawsuit. Prominent retailers and textile manufacturers have been targets of this practice.

These copyright troll attacks are difficult to defend against — they proceed based on a clear strategy. The fabric patterns, prints and designs these entities own copyrights to may not even be products they are producing or licensing for paid distribution. Yet, they amass huge “libraries” or “stockpiles” of copyrighted fabrics and then send out teams of “shoppers” to scour stores for identical or substantially similar fabrics. Given the sheer volume of copyrights they own, they will likely find something, especially since even basic fabric prints like floral, paisley, animal or geometric can be subject to a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Once their “shoppers” identify potentially infringing fabrics, copyright trolls retain law firms to send out hundreds of “cease and desist” letters and to file lawsuits. Regardless of whether the textile manufacturer has valid defenses to assert, most companies decide it’s simplest and least expensive to settle.

It would take a huge investment in time and money to individually and legally vet hundreds, sometimes thousands of fabrics, especially given the constant pace of change and turnover. Attempting to do so would be not just a nuisance but completely impractical.

Copyright infringement claims may seem inevitable — with the only guarantee of protection being to only produce and sell solid fabrics. That, of course, is ridiculous and completely unrealistic. Thankfully there are much more reasonable steps textile manufacturers can take to avoid such claims altogether or, if it occurs, mitigate damage during litigation.

The first step is to ensure the designers are well educated on the importance of creating prints that are substantively different, and why copying work even inadvertently can lead to legal trouble. To avoid infringement claims, the possibility of one always needs to be top of mind. All it takes is for a designer to see a cool fabric somewhere once to be influenced by it and not realize later that their burst of creativity was more imitation than inspiration.

This is particularly tricky when the fabric designs involved follow or incorporate a fashion trend. A designer’s interpretation of that trend into their work must be different enough that it can’t be considered copying.

Collaboration between manufacturers and retailers is also important. Manufacturers want to be able to assure their customers of the originality of their design and, when the design comes from the retailer, the manufacturer has the right to some assurance about the source. The parties may want to include indemnification and hold harmless clauses, clearly stating whose responsibility it will be to defend copyright lawsuits and under which circumstances.

At the end of the day, legitimate textile manufacturers want to supply great products that consumers enjoy wearing and bringing into their homes. Instances of true copyright infringement in the traditional sense are actually the exception.

A copyright troll’s “business” capitalizes on the fact that, for most companies, it makes more sense to pay than to fight. That’s why it is so important that companies prepare ahead of time. Copyright trolls are lurking, and once they strike, it could be a costly proposition.

Editor’s Note: Attorney Mark Peroff, managing partner, Peroff Saunders, P.C., has represented clients in the US and globally on a range of intellectual property matters, including copyright infringement lawsuits with copyright trolls. He can be reached at mark.peroff@peroffsaunders.com, or (646) 898-2030.

Posted October 19, 2019

SoftWear Automation Announces The Next Generation LOWRY SEWBOT®

Atlanta — October 18, 2018 — Since the beginning, we have worked to make the SEWBOT® a platform for industrial sewing automation. While sewing is at the center of that challenge, we have been successful because of our ability to master material handling like picking, placing, moving, stacking, lifting, holding, labeling, welding and more. As it turns out, automated sewing may be the easiest part of sewing automation. What makes the LOWRY® special is the sheer number of products, operations and styles that one system can handle without an operator and without it being retooled, reprogrammed or re-configured.

Our major advancements in this next generation Sewbot have come from our improved vision technology, which has put us light years ahead in flexible production automation from our previous releases. There is no question that textiles present challenges unique to industrial automation. Our needs as consumers to have textile products that are light, breathable, stretchable and fashionable creates an ever changing landscape of complexity. Unlike hardware intensive solutions, vision technology allows the Sewbot to adapt to handling the unique pieces of a material good.

The vision technology recognizes material shape, size, fabric, style and sewing requirements in order to calculate and complete full automation of a product. This means minimal retooling is required any time a change or an upgrade is made to the style or appearance of the product — reducing cost, down time and labor. The machine vision also allows us to see material distortion in real time and to dynamically adjust to correct that distortion without any programming, resulting in high quality produced goods each and every time.

The Lowry leverages all of our advancements made in vision technology allowing for efficient production of sewn goods.  Made of durable industrial-grade steel, the base frame has been upgraded to provide a machine that can run 24/7 and is able to withstand the test of time. Whether from potential damage from giant forklifts or wear and tear from micro particles, it is truly built to last on the factory floor. The Lowry can also undertake simultaneous automated operations, like automated loading, flaw detection, sewing, seaming, cutting, labeling and re-stacking all through a simple control touch panel.  One single machine operator is able to control up to six Lowrys at once, resulting in a significantly higher production scale.

The Lowry enables companies to achieve on-demand production automation with its modular design and interchangeable components. We understand that every sewn good is constructed differently, which is why the Lowry has flexible configurations to support a variety of goods. Each machine module can be removed, replaced, upgraded, repurposed and repaired depending on your unique product specifications. For each product listed below, the Lowry has a product specific configuration available to enable full automation.

The Lowry is built to serve a number of different industries, supporting both local and global supply chains and is available now, worldwide. The Lowry is here — to transform and revolutionize the future of manufacturing.

The Lowry® Supports A Wide Range Of Construction Methods

  • Serging;
  • Over edging;
  • Hot seal cutting;
  • Lockstitch;
  • Chainstitch;
  • Side seaming;
  • Piping;
  • Binding;
  • Label attaching;
  • Overlock;
  • Heat transfer;
  • Bonding;
  • End cuts;
  • Seaming/finishing;
  • Switchable sewing speeds; and
  • Variable thread type/thickness.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: SoftWear Automation

ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 Exhibitor Preview: James Heal

HALIFAX, England — October 15, 2018 — UK-based materials testing instrument manufacturer, James Heal, is exhibiting at the ITMA Asia + CITME Exhibition, from today until 19 October, 2018, at the new National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai.

Today, taking centre stage on their booth H5-F50, an exclusive launch of their next generation TruFade light fastness tester, now with on-board Weathering, has given visitors the opportunity to view this machine for the first time, watch live demonstrations, and speak to their team of experts to discuss physical and colour fastness testing challenges.

An exclusive product launch

“TruFade with weathering was unveiled for the first time as part of an exclusive product launch event at ITMA Asia this morning,” says James Heal Managing Director, Amanda McLaren. “Its represents a significant investment for James Heal, both in terms of product development, innovation, and customer research”.

James Heal’s original Trufade Xenon Arc Light Fastness Tester has an excellent reputation at global reference sites for its reliability, superior build quality and simplicity of use, emphasizes Innovation Director, Neil Pryke: “We’ve taken our existing instrument; and using customer feedback, have made several upgrades – most notably, with the addition of on-board weathering. During product development, extensive testing emulated operation in typical environmental conditions, so customers can be assured that TruFade will perform in line with light fastness & weathering testing Standards in any environment.”

Testing colour fastness to light and weathering conditions for a range of materials

Now with Weathering, a range of tests can be performed for the light fastness of textiles, leather and other materials. “With the next generation TruFade, our aim was to simplify a notoriously difficult area of colour fastness testing, to deliver consistent and accurate results. TruFade is ideally suited for independent laboratories and in-house factories where space can be maximized from the small footprint of the instrument,” adds Neil Pryke.

From intuitive touch-screen controls (similar to using a smart phone); to tri-sided sample holders that allow up to 27 specimens to be tested at a time – TruFade, like all James Heal instruments, is designed to simplify the user experience.

Developed with James Heal’s simple and intuitive TestWise™software – for faster, more intuitive testing.

Routine testing can be started with only three touches of the screen, and the software effortlessly tracks the fading progress of samples, as well as the life of the lamp and filters with a ‘traffic light’ system that shows their status at a glance. SoTruFade can be operated with minimal training, saving time and reducing the potential for operator error.

  • Affordable: complete confidence at a competitive price
  • Save time: minimal operator training needed, start testing in minutes
  • Tri-sided sample holders: increase the usable exposure space to up to 1640cm2, so more testing can be done at once
  • Credible and reliable: reference locations in the best independent labs and factories globally
  • Meets ISO and AATCC standards
  • Lamps and optical air filters easy to replace – reduces maintenance costs and maximizes return on your investment
  • Accurate and consistent results – every time

James Heal is showcasing their range of testing instruments for physical and colour fastness testing on booth H5-F50, including:

  • Titan 10 – 10kN Dual Column Universal Strength Tester
  • TruBurst – Pneumatic Bursting Strength Tester
  • ElmaTear – Digital Elmendorf Tear Tester
  • Martindale – Abrasion & Pilling Tester
  • ProMace – Mace Snag Tester
  • FlexiFrame – Stretch & Recovery Tester
  • Impulse – Random Tumble Pilling Tester

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: James Heal

Cone Denim’s Natural Indigo Collection Combines Heritage And Innovation

GREENSBORO, N.C. — October 18, 2018 — Reaching back to its roots, Cone Denim® combines heritage and innovation in its newest Natural Indigo capsule collection of denim fabrics in unique vibrant shades of indigo. Cone Denim is excited to continue its legacy and leadership of innovative denims offering the most advanced SGENE® stretch performance featuring REPREVE® and TENCEL™ sustainable yarns with Natural Indigo dyed cotton. The Collection debuts at Kingpins Amsterdam on October 24-25.

Cone Denim continues its exclusive partnership and collaboration with Stony Creek Colors, a leading innovative manufacturer of sustainable plant-based dyes located in Tennessee. Stony Creek Colors recently received the USDA Certified Biopreferred® designation. As the only natural colorant producer globally to have its natural indigo certified by the USDA as 100-percent Biobased Product, Stony Creek Colors must be tested regularly using ASTM standards for plant-derived chemicals. This certification ensures a transparent and renewable indigo supply chain for Cone Denim’s Natural Indigo customers. Stony Creek Colors develops and manages seed-to-harvest agricultural supply chains to deliver reliable bio-based dyes to textile mills, sourced from a trusted network of farmers throughout the Southeastern U.S.

“Excitement continues to grow around our Natural Indigo denims,” says Kara Nicholas, vice president, Product Design + Marketing. “Natural indigo was the dye-stuff used when Cone produced its very first denims in the late 1800s and it is amazing to see the momentum growing with modern consumers who appreciate not only the beauty of the fabric but its sustainable benefits too.”

Nicholas continued: “Our Natural Indigo story is about more than great denim. Stony Creek Colors is serving as a catalyst for the revitalization of once-prominent industrial corridors where tobacco farmers had been adversely affected by changing trends. Indigo crops provide denim enthusiasts and socially responsible consumers natural alternatives to synthetic dyes while at the same time returning economic viability to rural economies and farmers.”

Cone Denim began its journey of producing scalable Natural Indigo denims in 2015, bringing back a tradition that had not been done in over 100 years. The partnership with Stony Creek Colors represents the pinnacle in authentic denim bringing together the work of US farmers with heritage of Cone Denim’s expertise.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: Cone Denim’s

EFI Showcases High Quality, Productivity And Opportunity With New Signage And Textile Technologies At SGIA Expo

FREMONT, Calif. — October 18, 2018 — Visitors to the 2018 SGIA Expo will see the advanced technologies that can create their future success from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. The company is showcasing eight new products for advanced signage and industrial textile production — innovations that expand one of the industry’s leading digital print portfolios. New products include:

  • The worldwide premiere of the EFI™ Pro 32r, an entry-level, 126-inch (3.2-meter) wide roll-to-roll LED printer shown in the exhibit of EFI channel partner Nazdar SourceOne® (booth 2941);
  • An enhanced EFI VUTEk® 3r+ superwide roll-to-roll LED printer platform offering a combination of high speed and high quality with new and unique options;
  • The breakthrough EFI VUTEk h series – a 2018 SGIA Product of the Year award-winning hybrid platform in its North American debut;
  • The VUTEk FabriVU® 340i, a high-end soft-signage printer offering in-line sublimation;
  • Previews of the newest-version EFI Fiery® digital front ends (DFEs) for wide- and superwide-format production offering unified print job management with Fiery Command WorkStation® for mixed print technology environments;
  • EFI Reggiani TERRA, a new system that combines leading-edge textile digital printer technology with new pigment ink and binder offerings for greener, more sustainable industrial textile printing without washing and steaming;
  • The latest version of EFI Optitex®, O/18, which brings the latest innovations available in 2D and 3D CAD software. O/18 offers features such as an all-in-one avatar solution, enhanced fabric features and cutting-edge marker innovations;
  • Version 4 of EFI Fiery DesignPro software for efficient creation of inspiring textile designs;
  • The newest-version EFI Midmarket Print Suite, an easy-to-navigate and user-friendly browser based MIS/ERP workflow for end-to-end signage and graphics production printing management.

EFI, which is in booth 301 at SGIA Expo, is highlighting advanced products that help customers drive growth in high-quality applications. One such customer, retail graphics manufacturer PVS In-Store Graphics, is boosting its capabilities as one of the first users of the EFI VUTEk h series — the next-generation hybrid VUTEk LED printer platform making its North American debut at the SGIA Expo. The company runs several VUTEk printers and chose the 126-inch (3.2-meter) VUTEk h3 printer to further its competitive advantage as a provider of high-end graphics to some of the largest brands in the world.

PVS Co-owner Nick Olsen said of his new printer, “We cut our teeth on fast turn jobs. This fits right in our niche. EFI in our company toolbox is why we are able to be successful. If we didn’t have that we would be turning things around much slower. We wouldn’t have the clientele that we have.”

Entry-level roll-to-roll with EFI’s proven LED and UltraDrop Technology

The new EFI Pro 32r launching at SGIA Expo in the Nazdar SourceOne booth is an economical, production-level roll-to-roll printer that can make users more competitive and profitable. Designed for high-quality print with mid-level production, the Pro 32r prints up to 2,227 square feet (207 square meters) per hour, and features a built-in EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) with FAST RIP acceleration technology.

The printer, which is available from EFI, Nazdar and other authorized channel partners, uses four colors plus optional white ink and 7-picoliter EFI UltraDrop™ Technology for high-end imaging. Its proven, “cool cure” LED imaging technology drives down operating costs with less energy use and waste while delivering superior results on an extended range of supported substrates. A host of value-added options are available as well, including slitters,automatic blockout printing, manual backlit printing, an iPhone® printer management application and a software productivity pack featuring enhanced tools to reduce media waste.

The 138-inch (3.5meter) wide EFI VUTEk 3r+ roll-to-roll printer launching at the SGIA Expo builds on the success of the nearly 150 global VUTEk 3r and 5r roll-to-roll LED printer installations in less than two years. The “plus” platform, which also includes the 204-inch wide VUTEk 5r+ model, drives greater value for signage and graphics professionals in high-volume, premium-quality close viewing applications. The 3r+ and 5r+ models deliver high-end imaging with superior ink coverage, high color density and a wide color gamut. Users also gain improved white printing with up to 30% faster throughput compared to the original VUTEk 3r/5r models.

An improved platform chassis for the printers delivers highly accurate feeding and reliability while allowing for an exceptionally wide range of media types. Plus, several new options are available, including double-bladed slitters,multi-roll support for automated backlit and blockout printing, and upgraded ID backprinting using white ink for dark-colored substrates. Designed to offer the lowest total cost of ownership, the highest image quality, the highest rated throughput speeds and the most available options in their class, the two new VUTEk roll-to-roll printers print with EFI – 3M™ SuperRange inks, including white ink, covered by the 3M MCS™ Warranty, or with EFI – 3M SuperFlex inks for vehicle wraps and fleet graphics.

VUTEk h series: EFI’s next-generation hybrid LED printer innovation

The EFI VUTEk h series making its North American debut is a 126-inch wide printer series platform built from the ground up to offer higher productivity, print quality, reliability, capability and profits. It is the culmination of EFI’s decades of experience in signage and graphics production technologies as the world’s leading manufacturer and developer of UV and LED inkjet superwide-format printers and inks. The series’ new, high-velocity 7-picoliter UltraDrop Technology grayscale printhead imaging delivers precision dot placement and consistency. The series offers eight- and optional four-color printing modes plus white, as well as nine-layer print capability in a single pass.

The new VUTEk h3 model on display — SGIA’s 2018 Product of The Year award winner in the UV Hybrid/Flatbed High Volume Production Class category — offers maximum throughput of up to 74 boards per hour. The h5 model, which is available direct from EFI or asfield upgrade to the h3 model, can produce up to 109 boards per hour.

Ricoh® USA, an EFI channel partner, is featuring two printers from EFI’s Wide Format inkjet printer portfolio in its booth, No. 3601: the 65-inch wide EFI Pro 16h LED hybrid printer (which also is in the EFI booth), and the EFI Pro 24f, a LED flatbed printer with true 4×8-foot architecture. Both printers feature high-quality versatile white ink and variable-drop grayscale imaging, as well as built-in EFI Fiery proServer Core DFEs with FAST RIP acceleration technology for speedy file processing, higher throughput and accurate color management.

From concept to shelf: End-to-end industrial textile innovation

The 71-inch wide Reggiani FLEXY printer is running at SGIA Expo as part of the new Reggiani TERRA system for direct-to-textile production. EFI Reggiani TERRA eliminates the need for steaming or washing on direct-to-textile applications using a greener, more-efficient polymerization process that takes place as printed textile goes through the printer’s on-board dryer. Users can achieve superior results – including excellent wet and dry fastness, intense colors and fine detail reproduction – while using less time, water and energy. New software developed for the TERRA system speeds productivity and improves print management with real-time image processing and advanced ink usage and throughput monitoring.

Industrial textile producers and apparel designers can drive even greater efficiency by using EFI Optitex’s cutting-edge 2D and 3D CAD software. The new software version, O/18, is making its worldwide debut at the show and delivers a faster, more customizable, user-friendly experience, saving time and resources with a faster time to market. This new launch includes a variety of 3D innovations, including an all-in-one avatar feature that allows users to easily create sizes, define poses and otherwise customize avatars with either a scanned avatar or one from the Optitex library. The software’s innovative features support multiple dynamic avatar poses, improving the process for users to easily and accurately review final draped results and test fit and pattern placement.

The software also provides more than 100 types of pre-defined fabrics to choose from. Users can now visualize their designs before creating physical samples in a better, more realistic digital environment that features an accurate final draped result. In addition, a new EFI Optitex Marker Creation Wizard simplifies the production process as it enables users to create and define multiple markers within a single, user-friendly interface.

Another featured product, EFI’s Fiery DesignPro software suite, is a series of plug-in applications for Adobe® Illustrator® and Adobe Photoshop® that gives design teams the power to quickly and easily create professional textile or apparel designs. It is shown at the SGIA Expo along with the Fiery proServer DFE, which delivers professional color management and high-quality RIP output for EFI Reggiani digital printers.

The new version 4 of EFI’s Fiery DesignPro software suite includes new and updated plug-ins that significantly reduce the time and effort needed to create repeat patterns and sophisticated colorways directly within Photoshop. The new tools now also offer multi-channel separations with more color depth, eliminating the need to reduce designs to indexed colors. Users also gain superior fidelity with smoother transitions and gradients and optimum color results, especially for digitally printed textiles.

Exclusive bi-directional integration between Fiery DesignPro and Fiery DFEs for textile applications provides a seamless handshake between design and production. All production and sampling print queues are at designers’ fingertips, allowing direct submission of print-ready data from Illustrator or Photoshop to the Fiery DFE without flattening, exporting or cumbersome hot folder management.

Additional technologies in EFI’s SGIA Expo exhibit include the latest version of the EFI Midmarket Print Suite, a comprehensive workflow featuring Pace™ ERP software. The Suite features an interface for display graphics users that addresses the unique needs of this segment for faster estimating and job production. MarketDirect, EFI’s advanced multi-channel customer communication platform software is featured at the show as well, as is EFI Digital StoreFront® eCommerce software. Attendees also can witness immersive VR demonstrations of the high-volume EFI VUTEk HS125 Pro hybrid printer and the EFI Nozomi C18000 ultra-high-speed corrugated packaging press – winner of the SGIA 2018 Product of the Year award for single-pass print technology.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: EFI™

Williams-Sonoma Releases 2017 Corporate Responsibility Scorecard, Demonstrating Leadership In The Home Industry

SAN FRANCISCO — October 18, 2018 — Williams-Sonoma Inc. today released its 2017 Corporate Responsibility Scorecard, demonstrating strong progress towards company-wide goals for responsible sourcing, sustainable design, landfill diversion, energy and carbon intensity, supply chain development, corporate giving, and volunteering. For the first time, Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSI) has aligned the Corporate Responsibility Scorecard to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global framework for achieving a better, more sustainable future for all, and is actively contributing to nine of the SDGs.

“As we meet and exceed the company-wide goals set out in our annual Corporate Responsibility Scorecard, we are proud to know that our breadth and scale expand our impact beyond our own company into the global home industry,” said Laura Alber, president and CEO, Williams-Sonoma Inc. “Ultimately, at the center of everything we do is our customer; they are the ones who drive change whenever they purchase responsible, sustainable products. Their values are our values, and we’re grateful to be on this journey with them.”

Highlights from the 2017 Corporate Responsibility Scorecard include:

  • Worker Well-Being: A new goal of educating and empowering 100,000 workers by 2020. Through partnership with HERproject and VisionSpring, WSI has already reached a third of this goal, reporting improved financial and health-related knowledge of 30,000 workers in their supply chain.
  • Fair Trade: Fair Trade has launched across all WSI brands, with over 5,000 Fair Trade Certified SKUs from bedding at Pottery Barn, to rugs at West Elm, to food at Williams Sonoma. To-date, WSI has also paid over one million dollars in Fair Trade premiums, achieving a third of WSI’s overall goal of paying three million dollars in Fair Trade premiums by 2020.
  • Organic Cotton: Through partnerships with the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), WSI has achieved 50% responsibly sourced cotton across the company and is halfway to its goal of 100% responsibly sourced cotton by 2021. These achievements have earned WSI recognition from the Textile Exchange as a top 10 company using organic cotton and preferred fibers, the Sustainable Furnishings Council as the 2nd highest-ranking company sourcing responsible wood, and Barron’s as the 14th most sustainable company worldwide.
  • GreenGuard: WSI is on track to reach 100% GreenGuard certification for Pottery Barn Kids brand nursery and bedroom furniture by 2018, ensuring that brand furniture products for WSI’s youngest customers meet the highest standards for indoor air quality. This year, WSI launched the Pottery Barn Modern Baby Collection, which features 100% organic cotton and 100% GreenGuard certified bedroom and nursery furniture.

Williams-Sonoma. Inc.’s corporate sustainability efforts extend to every part of the business – from operations, to product and materials, to people and communities. The company is constantly seeking ways to support innovative programs that deliver social and business impact to reinforce their commitment to creating quality products and providing sustainable options for every room of the house. To learn more about WSI’s commitments around these three focus areas: operations, products and materials, and people and communities, please visit the WSI CSR website.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: Williams-Sonoma

National Nonwovens Awarded ISO 9001: 2015 Quality System Certificate

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. — October 18, 2018 — National Nonwovens is pleased to announce that it has earned ISO 9001: 2015 certification for successfully applying a quality system for the design, application development, manufacturing and sale of technical nonwoven textiles with core competence in needlepunch technologies, chemical enhancements, and dyeing capabilities servicing the medical, aerospace, technical, industrial, art and education markets.

“We recognize that our customers are the driving force for our organization and we will always strive toward providing our customers the best consistent quality products and service on time every time,” said National Nonwovens President and CEO Anthony Centofanti. “We consider continuous improvement of our compliant Quality Management Systems — a part of everything we do — a journey, not a destination.”

ISO 9001: 2015 sets out the criteria for a quality management system based on quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and commitment of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. CIC Management, LLC performed the on-site audit for National Nonwovens and issued the ISO 9001: 2015 certificate on September 15, 2018.

National Nonwovens produces 15 million pounds of textiles annually and has a total processing capacity in excess of 30 million pounds per year. The company’s manufacturing and technical capabilities include both air-laid and carded cross-laid web forming with chemical bond, felted wool, needlepunch, lamination, and thermo-bond constructions. National Nonwovens will continue to expand its breath of technology as a commitment to customers’ present and future requirements to meet the needs of global markets.

Based in Easthampton, Mass., National Nonwovens is a manufacturer of needlepunched nonwovens, engineering innovative high performance product solutions and superior quality felt for a vast number of markets such as Aerospace, Technical, Ballistics, Arts & Education, Filtration, Industrial, and Medical.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: National Nonwovens

Applied Silver Partners With Medline To Distribute Its EPA-Approved Antimicrobial Silvaclean Textile Treatment To Hospitals/Healthcare Facilities

HAYWARD, Calif. — October 18, 2018 — Applied Silver Inc. and Medline today announced a long-term partnership for the supply of SilvaClean®, a silver-ion antimicrobial commercial laundry additive. Medline (Northfield, Ill.) is the largest privately-held medical supply company in the United States. The agreement makes Medline the exclusive distributor of Applied Silver’s SilvaClean service to healthcare facilities in the United States and Canada through their commercial laundry providers.

Hospital Fabrics Soft Surfaces Identified as Significant Source of Staphylococcus, MRSA and other Pathogens

Bed linens, patient gowns and caregiver uniforms, curtains and carpets have been linked to the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 25 admitted patients get HAIs — a significant and growing concern among infectious disease experts, healthcare workers and facility executives. Hospitals spend billions of dollars annually to address this problem.

EPA recently approved the public health claims for SilvaClean as a residual antimicrobial laundry additive to reduce post-laundry contamination with activity against Staphylococcus aureus after 6 hours of contact and Klebsiella pneumoniae after 3 hours of contact. Additionally, these claims are supported by extensive clinical data demonstrating the same.

Medline Sees Breakthrough Opportunity in Applied Silver’s Technology

“We believe the company’s patented and EPA-approved technology will significantly change infection prevention in healthcare. The new standard of textile hygiene that SilvaClean will deliver is the driving reason Medline has taken a financial stake in Applied Silver,” said Andy Mills, president, Medline. Mills noted the company also appreciates how SilvaClean does not change inventory or standard operating procedures, making it an easy addition to a hospital system’s textile program.

“We are delighted that Medline will be our distribution partner in the United States and Canada,” said Elizabeth Hutt Pollard, executive chair of Applied Silver. “This instantly makes SilvaClean accessible to over 7,000 U.S. hospitals and health care facilities. Medline’s endorsement and significant sales organization will help us win rapid market adoption.”

SilvaClean Infuses Silver Ions into Fabrics Killing Microbes and Providing Lasting (Residual) Protection

SilvaClean employs a smart patented technology platform that infuses textiles with pure silver ions during the laundry rinse cycle, where they bond with fabrics to residually kill pathogens, mold and mildew, eliminating odors, helping to remove stains and reduce static. SilvaClean chemistry is a EPA-approved laundry additive product enabled by an Internet of Things (IoT) dispensing system that leaves fabrics with residual antimicrobial properties even after laundering (e.g. in storage, during handling and in use).

The commercial partnership agreement with Medline is already in effect and SilvaClean service is available to hospitals and healthcare facilities now.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: Applied Silver

Kodak’s Light Blocking Technology Hits Market

ROCHESTER, N.Y.— October 18, 2018 — Kodak today announced the introduction of KODALUX Technology, a new class of light control materials which can be coated directly on fabrics for use in the management of light.

Precision Fabrics Group is offering the world’s first Prepared-For-Print (PFP) blackout fabric incorporating Kodalux Light Control Technology for wide format digital print applications. The PFP fabric with Kodalux Technology can be supplied in widths of up to 125” and can be printed by either direct or indirect sublimation or ink jet technologies with superior fidelity and no bleed through.

Kodalux Light Control Technology eliminates the carbon layer common in current blackout technologies replacing it with a simpler solution for delivering various degrees of light blocking performance. Kodalux Particles are patented micro-particles engineered for light management and when coated directly onto fabrics, Kodalux Fabric Coating delivers 100% blackout with zero pinhole anomalies.

“Kodalux Light Control Technology leverages Kodak’s deep expertise in materials science,” said Jeff Clarke, CEO, Kodak. “This product offering with Precision Fabrics Group demonstrates Kodak’s ability to invest in long-term research and bring differentiated solutions to market for our customers.”

In addition to PFP fabrics for exhibition signage, Kodalux Fabric Coating can be coated on roller shades and high-grade decorative fabrics.

“This is a perfect demonstration of how Kodak’s work with advanced materials is moving us into new areas of growth,” said Terry Taber, chief technical officer, Kodak. “With Kodalux, we are achieving high performance light blocking technology without sacrificing design, color or any of the other attributes of the base fabric.”

Precision Fabrics Group manufactures highly technical, high quality woven and nonwoven materials with a broad range of technical properties.

“Since first seeing Kodalux’s potential, we have been outspoken advocates of the technology,” Terry Montgomery, chief technology officer, Precision Fabrics Group. “We’ve seen the competitors, and there is no comparison. Textiles are what we know. Kodak knows light and advanced materials. Together we are delivering products the industry is hungry for.”

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: Kodak

SGIA Announces Industry Leaders Comprising 2018–2019 Board Of Directors

LAS VEGAS — October 18, 2018 — The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is pleased to announce its 2018–2019 Board of Directors, led by Chairman Thomas Cooper of WestRock Merchandising Displays. Cooper was appointed along with First Vice Chairman Scott Crosby of Holland & Crosby Ltd. and Second Vice Chairman Christopher Bernat of Vapor Apparel/Source Substrates LLC.

Tom Davenport of Motion Textile was named treasurer, and Dean DeMarco of IDL Worldwide will assume the role of secretary. Cooper’s predecessor, Edward Cook Jr. of ECI Screen Print Inc., will now serve as immediate past chairman, while 2016–2017 Chairman Rich Thompson of Ad Graphics Inc. is the new chairman of the Chairman’s Advisory Council.

James Gill of FUJIFILM Dimatix Inc. and Tim Markley of Markley Enterprise will reprise their roles as associate vice chairman and Specialty Graphic Imaging Foundation Chairman, respectively.

Brett Bowden, Printed Threads; Nick Buettner, American Cut and Sew; and Brooke Hamilton, NPI are new to the Board this year.

Continuing are Debbie Anderson, GM Nameplate Inc.; Avi Basu, HP Inc.; Terry Corman, Corman Synergy Inc.; Kevin Gazdag, KSK Visual Ingenuity; Lane Hickey-Wiggins, Douglass Screen Printers Inc. dba DPRINT; Brian Hite, Image Options; David Landesman, Lawson Screen & Digital Products; Laura Maybaum, Nazdar; Brent Moncrief, FUJIFILM North America Corporation Graphic Systems Division; Toren Prawdzik, Photo Evo; Timothy Saur, Durst Image Technology US LLC (Durst US); Scott Schinlever, Gerber Technology; and Mike Wagner, Butler Technologies Inc.

“SGIA has been continually grateful for the commitment the Board of Directors demonstrates to our association and its many initiatives year after year — all while managing their own businesses,” said Ford Bowers, President and CEO, SGIA. “I look forward to working with our new Board in what will be a pivotal year for SGIA as we transition the Expo to PRINTING United.”

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community 


The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) owns and produces the 2018 SGIA Expo, the printing industry’s most exciting and comprehensive trade show, which will bring more than 550 exhibitors and over 25,000 registrants to Las Vegas October 18–20. Technology is expanding what you can do — and the SGIA Expo is here to help you make the most of it!

SGIA is the trade association of choice for professionals in the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, electronics, packaging and commercial printing communities looking to grow their business into new market segments through the incorporation of the latest printing technologies. SGIA membership comprises these diverse segments, all of which are moving rapidly towards digital adoption. As long-time champions of digital technologies and techniques, SGIA is the community of peers you are looking for to help navigate the challenges of this process. “Whatever the medium, whatever the message, print is indispensable.

Posted October 18, 2018

Source: The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)

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