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Processes · Printing
High-definition digital printing
Photographic detail, smooth gradients and unlimited colours on silk, viscose, cotton and polyester. We print in the Como textile district with the right ink for each fibre, and we check the colour of every batch before delivery.
What high definition really means
A high-end digital print does not depend only on the machine’s resolution. Fabric preparation, the ink chosen for each fibre, colour management, steaming, washing and finishing all matter. One wrong step and details blur, blacks turn grey and skin tones shift.
That is why we follow the whole chain, from the print-ready base to the finish. Every design goes through a colour strike-off on the final base, and production fabric is checked against the approved strike-off before shipping.
What you get
Photographic detail
Fine lines, textures, watercolours and photographs stay sharp even on light bases such as georgette and chiffon.
Unlimited colours
No limit on the number of colours and no screen costs: gradients and fades without compromise.
The right ink for each fibre
Acid inks for maximum brightness on silk, reactive for viscose, cotton and linen, disperse for polyester.
Low minimums, fast variants
Develop several colourways of the same design and produce small quantities, with no stock.
Our process
01
File preparation
We check resolution, scale, repeat, joins and colours. If needed, our in-house studio adapts the design for print.
02
Colour strike-off
We print on the final base and compare it with your references, correcting until the colour is approved.
03
Production printing
The print-ready fabric is printed with the colour profile approved for that base.
04
Steaming and washing
Steaming fixes the ink and washing removes the excess: this is where brightness and fastness are decided.
05
Finishing and inspection
Hand, stability and piece-by-piece inspection. Defects are tagged on the fabric so cutting can avoid them.
Suitable fabrics
Silk satin Crepe de chine Georgette Chiffon Silk twill Habotai Silk-viscose velvet Viscose Cotton Linen Polyester
Over 400 print-ready bases in silk, viscose, cotton, linen, polyester and blends, plus custom base development for your collection.
Process sheet
| Technique | Inkjet digital printing |
| Inks | Acid, reactive, disperse |
| Bases | Over 400 print-ready |
| Placement | All-over or engineered |
| Minimum order | Low, to be agreed |
Digital or screen?
| Digital | Screen | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of colours | Unlimited | One per screen |
| Gradients and photographs | Yes, without limits | Limited |
| Set-up costs | No screens to engrave | Screen engraving |
| Minimum order | Low, to be agreed | High |
| Best for | Sampling, capsules, complex designs | Large runs of simple designs |
Frequently asked questions
Which files should I send?
High-resolution files (TIFF or PSD) at actual print scale, ideally 300 dpi. For repeat designs tell us the repeat size. If the file is not ready, our studio prepares it for print.
How do you make sure the colour is right?
Every design gets a colour strike-off on the final base. In production we compare the fabric with the approved strike-off, in a light booth and with a spectrophotometer. If a batch is off standard, it does not ship.
Can you print engineered placements, for example a scarf?
Yes. We print both all-over and engineered placements, with borders and positioning sized to the garment or scarf. If the reverse must be fully printed too, see double-sided printing.
Do blacks come out truly black on silk?
With acid inks and correct fixing, yes: deep, saturated blacks. For every base we tell you in advance what to expect.
Is there a minimum order?
Minimums are low and we agree them based on fabric and process. To get started, we can begin with a strike-off on your base.
Tell us about your project
Send us your design, base and approximate quantities: we reply with feasibility and price. If you like, we start with a strike-off.
Silk Lab Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale
Phone / WhatsApp +39 339 344 0272
silklabitaly@gmail.com
Via Varesina 3, 22075 Lurate Caccivio (CO)