‘Australian Made’ fabric, or ‘Made Down Under’, is at the very core of Materialised’s beginnings, processes and practices. Textile production and providing comfort and safety to humans predates history. It has been incredibly important to the development of the society in which we live. The Industrial Revolution is one example where textiles changed the course of history, beginning with the mechanisation of weaving looms.
Over the past three decades we have seen the Australian textile industry all but disappear. The current one is a shadow of its former self. Yarn spinners, weavers, knitters, dyers, finishers and printers gone!
Materialised is proud to be breathing life back into this important industry by nurturing Australian Made – printing textiles locally, adding performance finishes locally and endeavouring to weave as many fabrics as possible right here in Australia and New Zealand.
The Very Latest Textile Printing Technology
The process of printing on demand right here in Australia is also a sustainability win. We don’t need to speculate on how much product to ship in and store, we simply print to order. No wastage!
We house what is said to be the most cutting edge textile printing technology in the Southern Hemisphere. Materialised invests heavily in the very latest textile printing technology, with digital transfer paper printers and dye-sublimation calendars that can print up to 5,000 metres a day.Â
Our most recent addition from Italy, the Monti Antonio, is the Rolls Royce (or should we say Ferrari) of dye sublimation calenders for digitally printed textiles. It has a printed width capability of 3.2 metres, offers quick turnaround, and is all done in-house, enabling us to keep our delivery promises.
Australian Made Base Cloths
Zem and Zircon Zem are print base cloths used on furniture in facilities demanding soil release, waterproofness, high abrasion resistance, flame retardancy and preparation for printing. All woven here in Australia seamlessly.
And we must not forget New Zealand… In fact, we have developed ‘Made Down Under’ to encompass products that are made in New Zealand such as Spindle, Cinderella, Prince and Bobbin printable blockout drapery base cloths.
Woven Non-disposable Cubicle Screens
More Australian Made product includes our hospital cubicle screen fabric and BLOX modular cubicle screen system. The ability to turn on the supply of often thousands of metres of flame retardant, antimicrobial fabric on ridiculously short notice, would be nigh on impossible without local, cooperative supply!
Acoustic WhisperWall® System
Our WhisperWall® acoustic panelling system, manufactured and installed in Australia. The tracking systems enable tightly stretching fabric over acoustic absorbers on walls and ceilings. There are no standard or pre-fabricated panels as we assemble and install onsite with our team of experienced installers.
The Future
Recent events have highlighted how vulnerable we have become as a nation, with our unbalanced dependence on foreign imported products.
The restoration of viable world-class textile production and fabrication of products in Australia will take a concerted effort and cooperation between consumers, producers, educators and Government.
Our future depends on Australian Made. It is a cry from our children and our children’s children for their independence and prosperity.
Hi there. Do you by any chance print on faux leather or plant based leather?
Hello Rosetta – we don’t currently have a printable faux leather I’m afraid. We have researched it but not found a solution, yet!