Finding Our Next Direction: Why is the UK textile printing industry struggling when the technology has never been more exciting?
There’s a strange tension in running a creative business: being adaptable has always been part of the job, but sometimes the hardest part is knowing which direction to turn next.
Why is textile printing getting harder just as the technology gets better?
For more than two decades I’ve been immersed in the world of printed textiles, watching digital print evolve from the sidelines and then suddenly accelerate. In the past few years the industry has shifted dramatically. Two of the UK’s major silk printers have closed, and their absence has left a real gap — professionally and personally. Losing long-standing partners is never easy, and it’s reshaped the way my business moves forward.
At the same time, print technology for interiors has been advancing at pace. Pigment printing, now available across a wide range of natural bases, has opened up new possibilities — and crucially, new opportunities to keep production here in the UK. It felt like the right moment to embrace this change.
There is a bigger shift happening here too. Digital textile printing is increasingly allowing smaller businesses to work with shorter runs, print on demand and respond to orders without committing to large quantities in advance. Research into the UK digital textile industry is also pointing towards more localised and flexible models of production.
My newest collection will be available on a beautiful natural linen base, alongside wallpaper. The print quality is strong, the turnaround times are short, and the low minimums allow me to produce in a more thoughtful, sustainable way. It means printing only what’s truly needed.
The development of pigment printing has been particularly interesting to me. Modern pigment systems can be used across natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, while avoiding some of the water-intensive washing and steaming stages associated with other textile printing processes.
I’m genuinely excited to collaborate with interior designers who connect with my work and who value materials made with intention and care. Holland Street HQ is in a period of transformation — things are shifting, expanding, and taking on new life. Thank you for your patience as we adapt and stay agile in a changing landscape.