Laser textile design and finishing

Morgan, Laura

Abstract

This entry discusses the state of the art in laser processing techniques for textiles beyond laser-cutting applications. It maps the use of laser technology for textile design with a focus on research that developed innovative digitally-driven surface treatments for colouration, 3D finishing and surface design of materials. This entry summarises key techniques and discuss the overarching benefits and application opportunities of laser textile design and finishing. Digitally controlled laser techniques are capable of delivering targeted, accurate, non-contact finishing, therefore improving the sustainability of future textile design and processing systems. Offering a unique aesthetic and short-run production capabilities, laser techniques allow designs to be applied direct to finished textile products and garments. The methods offer alternative agile solutions to textile wet-processing and improve the sustainability of textile materials processing via:
• Efficiency: through waste and resource reduction (reducing water, energy and dye consumption),
• Agility: through digital and on-demand production systems,
• Circularity: by facilitating design for material recovery.

• Deposit Date: Dec 8, 2021
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Series Title: Bloomsbury Encyclopaedia of World Design
• Book Title: Volume 10: Textile Futures
• Keywords: Lasers; Textile Design; Design for Sustainability; Material Futures
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7864592
• Related Public URLs: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Bloomsbury-Encyclopedia-of-World-Textiles-Volume-10-by-Bloomsbury-Publishing/9781472586049; ; https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/bloomsbury-encyclopedia-of-design-9781472521576/
• Contract Date: Sep 30, 2021