The textile industry is under pressure to clean up its act, with environmental damage and labour exploitation placing designers, manufacturers, and distributors in the spotlight. The problems span from water pollution to unsafe factories, and fixing them requires new approaches to production and sourcing.
This article focuses on the environmental side: specifically, how printing methods contribute to the industry's ecological footprint and what cleaner alternatives exist. First, however, we’ll take a closer look at some of the challenges the industry is facing.
A global industry under pressure
Reports often state that the textile industry is a major polluter, with figures suggesting it accounts for 20% of global water contamination and around 10% of carbon emissions. Fast fashion adds to this by pushing high volumes of production and consumption, which leads to more waste.
Where printing methods fit in
Fixing these problems requires changes across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to retail. But production methods matter too, particularly printing.
Traditional textile printing consumes massive amounts of water and chemicals, adding to the industry's environmental burden. Switching to cleaner printing technologies won't solve everything, but it's one concrete step manufacturers can take now. That's where dye sublimation becomes relevant.
A more sustainable way to print
Dye sublimation printing offers a practical alternative to traditional textile printing methods. It combines quality, efficiency, and environmental benefits that align with the industry's push toward circularity.
Key advantages of dye sublimation include:
Water-free production: Unlike conventional screen printing, dye sublimation requires no water, reducing pollution and conserving resources.
Cleaner chemistry: It uses water-based, solvent-free inks that limit harmful emissions.
Less waste: Precise ink transfer eliminates excess, and the process avoids pre- and post-treatment steps that consume energy and materials.
Durable design: Prints last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and the waste that comes with them.
Dye sublimation typically works with synthetic fibres like polyester. This material already brings its own environmental considerations. Still, using recycled polyester can help offset some of these impacts, making the overall process more responsible.
Strength in responsible sourcing
The sustainability of dye sublimation depends not only on the process itself, but also on the materials used. Paper plays a role here. When produced responsibly, it adds another layer of environmental value.
Sappi's dye sublimation papers are designed with this in mind. They are:
Certified: Available as FSC Mix Credit (FSC™-C015022) or 100% PEFC (PEFC/07-32-76) certified, ensuring responsible woodfibre sourcing.
Recyclable: Developed for recycling, helping reduce landfill waste.
Produced responsibly: Managed with strong conservation goals, major CO₂-reduction targets, high water-return levels, and active support for local growers.
This reflects Sappi's broader commitment to sustainable manufacturing, which has earned us a platinum rating from EcoVadis. This means we are in the top 1% of the pulp, paper, and packaging industry for sustainability performance.
By choosing dye sublimation printing and partnering with suppliers who prioritise sustainability, companies can reduce their environmental footprint and strengthen brand integrity. These choices represent a simple truth: responsible production benefits everyone. It’s also a direct reflection of Sappi’s broader commitment to Planet, People, Prosperity, and Principles – the four pillars guiding our sustainability strategy.
A path forward
The textile industry's sustainability challenges are significant, but progress is possible through collaboration and innovation. Dye sublimation printing, when supported by responsibly sourced materials, represents one practical step toward a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient future for textiles.
Learn more about Sappi’s sustainable dye sublimation solutions here and discover how we’re helping the textile industry print cleaner and smarter.
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