Kornit Digital and not-for-profit social enterprise Fashion-Enter have opened a new innovation centre in London.

Aimed at bringing on-demand fashion and textiles mass customisation back to the UK, and unveiled at events on 3 and 4 March at Fashion-Enter’s training and manufacturing site, the Fashtech Innovation Centre is supported by Kornit Digital’s direct-to-fabric (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) digital production machinery.

In addition to highlighting production capabilities that minimise carbon footprint, the Fashtech Innovation Centre will serve as a prototype for brands and fulfillers seeking to mitigate logistical complexities, time-to-market, and supply chain risks by bringing production nearer to the end consumer.

Kornit Digital said that eliminating overproduction and producing on demand, this nearshoring model also drives profitability even in highly regulated and high-cost markets while contributing to local economies and removing transport-related waste.

“As our partner ecosystem continues to grow globally by aligning with such leaders as Fashion-Enter, companies are realising just how powerful sustainable, on-demand digital production can be and the countless inherent benefits it provides,” said Kornit Digital president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Chris Govier.

“We are pleased to put these technologies on full display in our new joint Fashtech Innovation Centre and bring on-demand manufacturing back home to the UK.

“Whether you’re a brand, apparel provider, custom fabric fulfiller, or creative designer wondering how to handle the next major market disruption, grow product lines, create a more eco-responsible and accountable production floor – or just want to waste less – the Innovation Centre will help you achieve these goals.”

Serving as a fulfilment site and academy for training production, the new centre includes both Kornit Digital Presto DTF and Atlas Max DTG systems, as well as numerous graphic design and workflow tools and systems.

Kornit Digital said consolidating the process into a single location also helps to maintain full visibility and control of operations and products.

“This Innovation Centre makes it possible to capture the full, end-to-end production process in one, single location,” said Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway.

“The beauty of having print on demand means there are no minimums, so we can make one garment, or we can make up to 30,000 garments a week from all locations at the same fixed cost.

“Here, we can also train future generations on the right way of producing garments for today, responsive to demand, with minimal waste – ethical and sustainable. This is the future of fashion and textiles.”