Epson has partnered with Birmingham City University’s textile and design department where they used their dye-sublimation capabilities to design and produce printed t-shirts.

The students have been showcasing their designs at this year’s Sign and Digital 2019, along with the Epson team who are wearing the t-shirts for the entire show.

Epson describes Birmingham City University as a successful centre for fashion and textiles education and one that is renowned worldwide for its students’ achievements, innovative research and industry partnerships.

In its digital suite, the university has an Epson SureColor SC-F wide-format dye-sublimation printer and desktop SureColor SC-F2000 direct-to-fabric printer.

Phil McMullin, pro graphics UK sales manager for Epson says: “We’ve been working with students of Birmingham City university in their design department, they’ve come up with these lovely shirts that we’ve printed using our Epson dye-sublimation technology.

“We set the students a task to come up with some really vibrant and exciting designs both for the men’s shirts and the ladies’ shirts and also some of the décor and wallpaper that they’ve designed for us as well.”

The inspiration behind the collaboration came from Epson’s passion to promote and encourage young people into the sign industry.

McMullin explains: “Last year when we were here at the show we had a big discussion about how to get young people into the signage industry, but in the print industry in general we are hoping to inspire the next generation and really get young people into the industry.

“It’s part of Epson’s drive to work with students and stimulate that interest in printing, sign-making and try to ensure the future of the industry because it’s an exciting and dynamic industry. We just need to make sure that the younger generation see that as a viable career choice.”

If you have any news, please email carys@linkpublishing.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter