Epson is collaborating with arts and design college Central Saint Martins (CSM) to encourage students to experiment with its large-format digital textile printers. The partnership will enable students to use Epson’s SureColor SC-F9300 dye-sublimation printer, SureColor SC-F2100 direct-to-garment printer and Expression 12000XL A3 scanner. Around 1,250 students across fashion, textiles and jewellery courses will have access to the products.
The move comes off the back of Epson’s relationship with British fashion designer Richard Quinn, a former MA student at Central Saint Martins and Epson print technology user who this year won the first Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. He has highlighted the need for students to access the latest technology.
Laura Baker, 2d print specialist at CSM said: “Experimentation is really important at Central Saint Martins. Students will learn the effects digital printing is capable of achieving but we also encourage them to push the technology to its limits by combining disciplines and techniques such as print and stitch, print and knit and so on while experimenting with different materials and designs. Although students can access printing facilities outside, we often find that the quality is not as high as we can achieve ourselves. Furthermore, dye sublimation and DTG printers are waterless and the printers’ sustainable credentials fit the college’s eco vision and values.”
Heather Kendle, market development manager for Epson Europe, added: “Education is a key focus for us and we are constantly looking to encourage students to learn new skills and to push the boundaries of design and creativity to their limits using our products. This partnership will be far more constructive than simply placing kit into the College as we will be able to use the students’ feedback to refine our technology even further.”
Epson will work with Central Saint Martins over the next 12 months on a wide range of events, including a print project for 2nd Year BA Fashion students and London Fashion Week as well as profiling students who have used Epson technology to create their work.
Epson already has a long-term relationship with The Royal Academy Schools and runs design competitions in collaboration with Birmingham City University, where it is a module of the textiles BA course, and the University of Leeds.
