LASER CUTTING - EVALUATION STRENGTHS The use of laser cutting in the fashion industry is becoming more in demand over recent years due to it’s quick process and accurate technique. Laser cutting is visually extremely effective, it allows designers to add a detailed and accurately cut pattern onto their garment or accessory and as it is a digital process it leaves no room for man made mistakes to occur. Not only is laser cutting visually effective but it is also technically effective too. By using a laser cutter the quality of the cut is not lost in the repetition of the pattern whereas if this process was to be completed by hand the manufacturer can’t assure that each detail withholds consistent accuracy. Designers also value laser cutting for it’s quick process - time is money and using this digital technique helps speed up the entire productivity of creating these intricate patterns and details. Laser cutting also helps add uniqueness and individuality to a pattern due to the fact that there are less restrictions when it comes to the design process. The laser cutting machine is very distinctive and accurate when regarding cutting the pattern therefore faults rarely occur in contrary to if this technique was to be done by hand. For this reason, laser cutting doesn’t restrict a designer from creating a more complex and detailed pattern. Finally, laser cutting is a great way to combine various techniques such as digital printing and the use of CADs. Designers are able to produce a laser cut on their own digital prints which can be digitally designed via software such as Photoshop and later applied to a range of computer aided designs. WEAKNESSES The downside to laser cutting is that on a whole, it’s very expensive. Not only is the machinery and software expensive but it’s also very complex to use therefore professionally trained staff are needed to complete the process. However training staff only adds more expenses to the price. On top of that, designers are restricted by the process of laser cutting as the digital design must be a stencil effect pattern with a continuous line therefore certain shapes and designs would either have to be adjusted or not used. Laser cutting also has less value when regarding mass production. Although this technique is faster than by hand, it cannot be carried out through mass production. Designers are limited because the software and laser cutter machines are expensive therefore there isn’t enough to produce a mass production.
THREATS When using a laser cutter, certain fabrics can’t be used because there’s a possibility that they could set on fire or melt. In addition to that, light coloured fabrics can’t be used as the fabric will be left with a brown mark. Another threat when using laser cutting is that if the machine breaks the whole production stops. This not only wastes valuable time but money too. On top of that if trained staff are absent, back-up is hard to find. With the process being so complex it’s too expensive to pay for specialist training for staff. OPPORTUNITIES Although laser cutting is a very limited process it does have it’s perks and offers designers many opportunities not only in their designs but financially too. Laser cut designs promise exclusivity as each pattern is unique. Laser cutting also gives a designer the opportunity to combine two or more digital techniques into one design. For example, a designer could create their own unique digital print which can be printed onto a suitable fabric using heat transfer, the laser cut pattern can then be cut into this fabric. In addition to design opportunities, laser cutting also benefits designers financially. High quality patterns are assured due to the highly advanced technology used and so this gives designers the chance to increase their prices. On top of that, the process on a whole quickly pays for itself despite the expenses, this is due to the increased profit being made on the garments and the amount of time saved because of the technique. If companies/brands were not able to earn back the money being spent on machinery, software and training then laser cutting wouldn’t be as high in demand in the fashion industry as it is today. MY LASER CUT On the whole, my laser cut was a great success. While creating my laser cut design I tried to assure that all of my lines were continuous and that my design was a stencil effect pattern. During the process I did have concerns that the lines between the stencil cut-out's were going to be too thin and break, meaning the outcome would’ve failed. Fortunately this wasn’t the case!
My Laser cut sample
DIGITAL PRINTING - EVALUATION Digital printing speeds up the process of textile design and is a faster way for designers to design patterns. Although the software is expensive, the process on a whole saves a large amount of time as it gives a designer the opportunity to produce a wide variety of prints in a short amount of time. Designers are able to hand draw or digitally create an image which is easily uploaded onto the software where they can adjust and correct their design before transforming it into a pattern. This assures accuracy is the design process. On the other hand, digital printing can be threatening to a designers work as the process is carried out electronically via computer software. Therefore if the software was to crash (for example) all of the completed work is at risk of being lost. This of course can be solved by backing up designs on hard-drives, USB’s and in various documents. One of the biggest weaknesses in this technique is that in previous years, designs and prints have always been created by using traditional techniques (such as by hand) meaning many professionals in the industry aren’t actually trained in the software. This opens up job opportunities for many people however it can also mean companies will be forced to pay high expenses for speciality training.