Semester 1 highlights

As we come to the end of year, we also come to the end of the semester. It’s been a joy to have students back in the workshops. It’s been great to see so many students making the most of being back on campus, exploring new processes as much as possible. We’ve had students from across a range of subjects from Graphic design to Landscape Architecture, learning about digital printing and CAD Embroidery.

New Equipment: Over the summer, before the start of the semester, the Textile Digital Print facility acquired a new digital printer; Mimaki TX300. With this new machine students can now digitally print onto a wider range of fabrics, and most recently wallpaper; an exciting new addition!

New fabric options: The facility also added a selection of new materials for printing such as a range of organic and recycled fabrics. This is part of the facility’s, as well as the wider university’s, on-going commitment to becoming more environmentally sustainable. The facility has also added to it’s range, the option of printing onto alternative surfaces, such as Aluminium panels. Specially coated for print, these panels welcome a new type of material surface for printing at ECA.

Most importantly this past semester has seen our students create a range of new and engaging work. We can’t wait to see all our student’s again in 2022, and their amazing work!

Visual of the facility’s new Mimaki TX300 Digital Printer

 

Example of printing onto specially coated Aluminium panels using Sublimation printing.
Photo of 3rd Year Textile student’s wallpaper project during Semester 1 (2021.)

 

Click and Collect Service

Edinburgh College of Art has recently launched an ITTS Click and Collect Service. This service gives students the option of ordering materials or equipment through the University. These orders can then be collected, in person, from Book It Central; the main hub Book It Hub at ECA.

Currently only available to final year and postgraduate students, this service includes not only the ability to hire out specialist equipment, but to also place material orders e.g 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Reprographics, as well as Textile Digital Printing.

Orders are placed through an online order form (ECA ITTS Click and Collect Service.) Payments for orders are taken online, with orders taking, on average, about a week to process. Once an order has been processed and completed, a collection booking can be made. Collection bookings, also called Collect and Drop off slots, are made through Book It under Spaces and Workstations. Bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance, and are 10-minute fixed times collections.

For more information please click the link below to take you to this service’s designated Sharepoint page: ECA ITTS Click and Collect Service

For any enquiries into how this service applies to Textile Digital Printing, or you’re interested in processing an order but not sure how, please get in touch by emailing Hannah at hscott3@ed.ac.uk.

Online Resources

As many continue their studies under tightened COVID restrictions, the importance of accessible online resources remains vital.

At the start of Semester 1 (2020), we set up a SharePoint site for Textile Digital printing resources, to act as an online resource/hub for UoE students and staff. Providing written, as well as visual guides on many of the processes and techniques, this site supplies up-to-date information on these resources. If digital print is something you are curious about and/or if you wish to find out specific information, e.g. what fabric options are available, then this is the place to go.

Example: Screenshot of department’s Sharepoint page

For anyone wishing to check out the site mentioned above, please click the following link: https://uoe.sharepoint.com/sites/TextileDigitalPrinting

Pleased be aware this site is only accessible to UoE student and staff as the site is help within the UoE Intranet.

Whilst workshops may currently be closed, please remember technician staff are still at hand and able to help you when and where they can, even if it’s just to talk through an idea! Among us we have a vast amount of experience and knowledge to share! Therefore if you come across something that interests you, online or say through the SharePoint site, make sure to get in touch to see how we can help.