Textile design is the process of creating designs for woven, knitted or printed fabrics or surface decorated fabrics. It manipulates the appearance of fabrics and other materials. Textile Design is a creative field that includes various methods of making textiles, fashion design and clothing. Textile designers work closely with fashion designers and interior designers.
Technologies for textile design
Different types of technologies used in textile design today are a day. Therefore, textile designers need to be made aware of the latest technologies. In this article, here are some important new textile design technologies.
The technology trends that will drive textile designing include:
- Computer-aided design (CAD) or Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
- Shape-memory applications in textile design
- 3D printing in textile design
1. Computer Aided Design (CAD) /Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Computer Aided Design (CAD) has revolutionized textile design. Textile designers take advantage of CAD to visualize and see their imaginative design in its final form without producing a pattern. Customers can also give ideas for the design according to their needs.
As technology converges, CAD/CAM evolves into an integrated environment that drives the entire enterprise. CAD/CAM will no longer be used solely for design or production functions within the company, but will also be an integral part of the company’s intranet, supporting the sourcing, merchandising and marketing processes that will support the entire company. business.
Other applications of CAD/CAM in the textile design include:
- Modularization
Proprietary software packages are a pluggable modular software solution that is highly targeted and designed to be easily integrated with existing custom or standard software.
- 3D body scan
3D laser scanning, which is interpreted as accurate 2D surface patterns, becomes a viable unit in the industry. This technology will allow for an appropriate fit of the garment and lead to the end of mass production and excessive retail inventory. In the second generation, body scanners are associated with a video screen, which allows the customer to cut his virtually suitable clothing.
- Mass customization
In the era of mass personalization, CAD/CAM technology will become a driving force in the sale and marketing of apparel.
2. Shape-memory applications in textile design
Shape memory materials (SMMs) are intelligent materials that can memorize activation and exposure to an external stimulus and restore a significant programmed deformation. The concept of shape memory fabric in textile design is new. The shape memory materials can be used for clothing, textiles as yarns, fabrics or fibers. Shape memory fibers can be implemented to develop smart textiles that respond to thermal stimuli. Although it has some applications such as bras and flame retardant laminates. But it also has better potential for textiles and apparel and related products. These products include shoes, various breathable fabrics, thermal insulation fabrics and plies, non-shrinking finishes for clothing, etc. These products can be manufactured with finishes, coatings, laminates, blends and other innovative structures.
3. 3D printing in textile design
3D printing has its roots in the production of simple plastic prototypes. In 3D printing, three-dimensional objects, one layer at a time, are built according to digital designs that are loaded into their memories. 3D printing revolutionized textile design. As technology continues to grow, its limits and costs will gradually decrease. The idea of mass-adapted design can come true with the use of 3D printing, which can reduce the problem of size and fit.
Conclusion:
The latest technologies in textile design, which offer maximum flexibility and guarantee the quality and consistency of processes, are now necessary for the fashion designing industry. Some tools allow users to create an identical environment. Some may produce markers that are only one to two percent less effective than an experienced maker. The key to the future is compatibility. In order to maintain continuity and reduce problems, new systems should be created to absorb the old one & hiring a well-trained fashion designer from the best fashion designing institute will reduce training costs and guaranteed quality design will be expected from the designer.