Dr. Martin Habekost joined the School of Graphic Communications Management at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in August 2005 after working for 10 years in the ink manufacturing industry. After graduating from the University of Hannover, Germany in 1995 with a doctorate in Analytical Chemistry he joined Michael Huber Munich, Germany to start his career in the ink manufacturing industry. In 1997 Dr. Habekost joined Hostmann-Steinberg Canada Ltd, now Hubergroup Canada Ltd. and worked in various roles in R&D, technical service and color measurement and color control applications.

At Toronto Metropolitan University Martin Habekost continued his research into color measurement and color differencing equations. He has presented papers in regard to color measurement, color differencing equations, color measurement of metallic inks, paper topography and expanded gamut printing at TAGA conferences since 2006. From 2010 to 2014 Dr. Habekost was the VP of Education for TAGA. He is currently a member of the TAGA Advisory Board.

Since joining Toronto Metropolitan University Dr. Habekost has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals and trade publications and a chapter in the book “Digital Photography for Print”.

He is also the faculty advisor to the Toronto Metropolitan University TAGA student chapter.

Digital Textile Printing In the Fashion Industry

Authors: Dr. Martin Habekost, Donna Abdelrazik, Toronto Metropolitan University
Acknowledgements: Junior Morimoto, Toronto Metropolitan University

Conventional textile screen printing processes have supported the fashion industry for centuries. With the advancement of digital technologies and the consumer purchase behaviour shift to fast fashion and sustainable fashion methods, the industry’s printing needs are evolving, and manufacturers of digital textile printing devices are innovating to meet this demand. An overview of digital textile printing technologies will be given.

As we re-emerge from the global pandemic of 2020, there is a significant growth prediction of the worldwide digital print textile market.  Allied Market Research projects the value to quadruple to $8.8 billion by 2027. Research and Markets is predicting a CAGR of 9.37% and estimates that the global digital textile printing market will reach $1.66 billion by 2026. The research paper will look at the technological advances in digital textile printing and the driving market forces influencing its growth momentum.

Factors impacting the expansion in digital textile printing include agility and speed to market, cost-effective production processes, near-shore production, local material sourcing, increased creative application opportunities such as photorealistic reproduction quality and sustainable initiatives. Even conventional screen printers are retrofitting their equipment to support increased demand and speed in the overall printed textile market.

With sustainability at the forefront of operations and corporate social responsibility, the advancement of digital textile printing methods point to more sustainable fashion production. A closer look at the environmental impact of digital textile printing methods will be explored to evaluate the promoted benefits.

Comparison Of Two Processless Offset Printing Plates

Dr. Martin Habekost and Dr. Krzysztof Krystosiak,Toronto Metropolitan University

In this paper, two processless offset plates will be compared for their imaging and on press behaviour. A number of tests will be performed to evaluate the difference between the two plates. One plate is supposed to replace the other. The newer processless plate promises that the dot can be read directly on the plate after imaging. This will be tested as well.

Imaging and press parameters will remain the same for this project to get a better understanding if the newer processless plate can be exchanged directly without any modifications to the current workflow. The test will be carried out on the same coated paper with same inks. The older set of plates will be used to establish proper printing conditions and printed solid ink densities. Once this has been done the plates will be changed. After printing approximately 500 sheets test sheets will be pulled from delivery and evaluated for the parameters listed below.

A test form will be created to measure the following parameters: printed solid ink density, tone values, tone value increases, print contrast, reproduction capabilities of fine lines regular and reverse, small type reproduction capabilities regular and reverse and colour gamut. It is expected that there will be minimal differences in print quality between the two processless plates.