3D Printed textiles and clothing on demand

This approach to creating clothing reappraises 3 fundamental processes in the fashion industry from the 'ground-up'. Materials, Design, Manufacture 1. As 'fabric' is unnecessary, there is no need to knit or weave the raw materials and consequently no logistical problems with supply chain and consistency. The emphasis shifts to materials science and the development of suitable polymers/organics. Textile construction is also reappraised, as neither weave or knit structure need to be utilised. 2. As the raw materials can be printed in 3D the traditional method of cutting a 2D pattern and sewing it together to make a 3D garment is bypassed. This approach requires a 3D design environment to be developed which designers can interact with to create a 3D model. 3D body scanning and mass customisation can be integrated into this design model. 3. The system offers a viable alternative to mass manufacturing, transportation and storage. Information can be stored and transmitted digitally and produced 'on demand'. This has wide implications for environmental impact and sustainability, providing suitable raw materials can be developed. Very little 'waste' material is produced at any stage of the process. The project potentially challenges preconceptions of clothing design and manufacture, established during the industrial revolution. By creating textile structures on a macro scale using existing available technology, the development of micro-scale structures will lead to fully assembled seamless manufactured garments in the future. Textile structures able to support integrated electronics and multiple material structures able to include micro encapsulation or sensory devices will also be possible.