著者ソフィー・チェン
日付：2024年11月14日
As a fashion accessory, silk scarves are increasingly focused on design and production adaptability due to rising demands for personalization. From luxury brands like Hermès pushing the boundaries of pattern design innovation to modern designers exploring personalized customization, the design of patterns reflects not only brand culture but also the aesthetic value of the products.
However, a common issue faced by designers and small to medium retailers is: why does the design concept always seem to clash with the production results? In this series, we aim to address this question, focusing in this article on the impact of double-sided printing on colors. For more on the factors affecting color discrepancies, visit “The Nightmare of Obsessive-Compulsive Designers –Color Differences: Causes and Solutions”.
Have you ever wondered why luxury brand scarves always make you want to reach for your wallet? The answer might be the double-sided printing! In recent years, big brands like Hermès have embraced double-sided printing to their scarves. But don’t be too envious, because behind this seemingly “high-end” process lies a host of unexpected challenges. What makes this seemingly clever design so full of subtle difficulties? Let’s explore.
1.Not Every Fabric Can Handle Double-Sided Printing
Firstly, not all fabrics are suitable for double-sided printing. To achieve a stunning double-sided effect, you need to choose the right material. For example, cheap polyester satin fabrics are unlikely to produce any premium effects. Why? Because the fibers are coarse and the density is low, causing the pigment to “bleed” through to the other side during printing, turning both sides into a messy mix where no clear distinction can be made. The result? What should have been an eye-catching double-sided scarf turns into an awkward, “jaw-dropping” disaster.
On the other hand, high-quality fabrics like mulberry silk or silk blends can offer a “beautiful” possibility. The higher fabric density helps reduce pigment bleeding, allowing for clearer color contrasts. But don’t celebrate too soon, as even these luxurious fabrics may still have “imperfections” in double-sided printing.
2.Pigment Bleeding: A Challenge and a Disaster
The pigment bleeding issue in double-sided printing is like a scenario where “good intentions almost ruin everything.” This becomes especially problematic when using deep or highly saturated pigments. It might end up with a bright, clean scarf where both sides are flawless—just like something pulled from a high-end art gallery—or, you it may end up with a scarf that looks like it was dunked in a dye vat: light on one side but with deep colors seeping through to the other, creating a mismatched look.
Here’s a tip from those with experience: since both sides of a double-sided printed scarf need to be printed, and pigment bleeding occurs on both sides, the colors often turn out darker than the design draft. Therefore, when requesting double-sided printing, you should adjust the colors to be lighter. How much lighter? This requires repeated testing and collaboration with your manufacturer, as each machine behaves differently. You can’t be too sensitive to the colors, or you risk increasing scrap rates and costs—a luxury brand can afford this level of color precision, but not everyone can.
3.Double-Sided Printing Machines: High-Precision, Extremely Expensive
You may think, “Why not just switch to a different machine to solve the problem?” But the truth is, achieving perfect double-sided printing like that of luxury brand scarves requires more than just good equipment. You need a high-precision double-sided printing machine. The machine’s printheads must be perfectly synchronized—just a small deviation and the entire scarf could be ruined. And here’s the problem: such machines are rare and costy, with few manufacturers able to execute the technique well. Simply put, only companies with enough financial resources and technical expertise can achieve the effect.
So, don’t think of double-sided printing as “easy.” Few brands are willing to openly discuss the costs of equipment and the technical challenges. Want a perfect double-sided print? Get ready to open your wallet.
4.Designer’s “Nightmare”
When it comes to designers, double-sided printing is truly a “nightmare.” Every scarf designer must struggle with the limitations of fabric, pigments, and equipment, ensuring that the design is perfectly realized in production. How can they achieve accurate color matching? How can they avoid uneven pigment bleeding? How can they make sure both sides are flawless? These questions become daily headaches for designers. Every design is a heart-pounding “adventure” because they know that the difference between a perfect scarf and a “disaster” could be a razor-thin margin.
結論
To summarize, double-sided printing does indeed make scarves look more vibrant and versatile, but its execution comes at a cost. From fabric selection to pigment control and equipment precision, every step is filled with challenges. Ultimately, this technique is a double-edged sword: on one hand, it can make your design more unique and attractive, but on the other hand, it could lead you to fail badly in the pursuit of perfection. So, the next time you see a flawless double-sided printed scarf, think about the hidden “stories” behind it—you might find that the money spent was somewhat worth it.
Therefore, don’t rush to decide on double-sided printing. But if you’re truly determined to go for it, you’ll need to find a supplier with sufficient experience and proven cases in double-sided printing to help you bring your imaginative designs to life.
