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Cutting-Edge Thread Printers

The Line Printer Picks Up Fabric Colors and Dyes String to Match

— May 2, 2013 — Tech
As a sewer, I'm very excited by the concept behind the Line Printer. Every piece of cloth requires its own special shade of string, and using this innovative device would mean that you don't have to buy out an entire spectrum of thread just to keep a well-stocked haberdashery kit.

Liang Qing, Chen Shuo, Feng Lu, Wang Zihao and Teng Xuan came up with the ingenious idea to develop a compact string-dying system. First, you take a photo of the fabric with a pinhole camera on the front of the device. Software determines the appropriate blend of inks necessary to achieve the same tone in the thread. Next, feed white string through the back of the Line Printer, a cartridge inside will give it color, and the thread will come out the other end, ready for your sewing machine and perfectly coordinated with your cloth.
Trend Themes
1. Customized Thread Dyeing - The ability to accurately match thread color to fabric through photo analysis and ink blending presents an opportunity for personalized and unique sewing projects.
2. Compact String-dying Systems - The development of portable and efficient string-dying devices opens up possibilities for on-demand dyeing and reduced thread inventory for sewing enthusiasts.
3. Pinhole Camera Fabric Analysis - Utilizing pinhole cameras to analyze fabric colors offers a new way to identify and replicate exact thread shades, enabling precise matching capabilities for sewing and textile industries.
Industry Implications
1. Textile - The textile industry can leverage the custom color-matching capabilities of thread printers to provide unique and tailored products to customers.
2. Fashion - Fashion designers and clothing brands can benefit from compact string-dying systems to create customizable garments that perfectly match fabric patterns and colors.
3. Sewing Supplies - The sewing supplies industry can explore the market potential for compact thread printers as a way to reduce inventory and provide specialized color options for consumers.
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