The Rise of Online Digital Textile Printing Services and its Impact on Costume Design Practice

Abstract

<p>Digital textile printing has many capabilities making it ideal for the costume industry. However, not all costume designers have the computer-aided design (CAD) skills required for digital textile design, --- and not all costume shops or theatres have access to the hardware and equipment required for digital textile printing (Joseph & Heslop, 2014). Therefore, online digital textile printing services have capitalized on theatres' limitations to integrate digital textile printing. In the literature: (a) case studies reveal the clear gains that digital textile printing offers to costume design, (b) research shows digital textile printing services are providing access to the hardware, and (c) university centers are providing design expertise and training. As technological software and hardware continue to become more accessible through digital textile printing services, the effects of digital textile printing in costume design practice will impact the both the process and the product.</p>