An apparel printing system for printing on regions of tubular fabrics with repeating patterns includes a textile printer having a print head and a tubular platen that includes features on the platen surface to retain and register the tubular fabric on the platen surface during printing.

Described herein are apparatuses and methods for dyeing garments. An exemplary apparatus comprises a dye injection system configured to dispense concentrated liquid dye; a dyeing machine comprising a dyeing chamber configured for dyeing at least one garment in a dyebath; and a controller in communication with the dye injection system and the dyeing machine, wherein the controller is configured: to receive at least one garment parameter corresponding to the at least one garment; based at least in part on the at least one received garment parameter, cause the dye injection system to dispense a volume of concentrated liquid dye containing an amount of dyestuff that can be substantially absorbed by the at least one garment; and cause the dyeing machine to execute a dye cycle such that substantially all of the dyestuff in the dispensed concentrated liquid dye is absorbed by the at least one garment within the dyeing chamber.

Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.

Casings, dye tablets, DIY activity-kits include one or more casings, one or more encased dye tablets, or a combination thereof, that are configured to impart an artistic effect to an article, hydrographic sheets, and dip and decorator activity-kits including one or more hydrographic sheets and an instruction for imparting an artistic effect to the article using the one or more hydrographic sheets. The casings include at least one compartment formed of a water-soluble film, and one or more agents disposed within the at least one compartment. The encased dye tablet includes one or more agents compounded with a filler and a binder. The one or more agents include at least one colorant formulation and at least one fixative.

Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.

A dispersion device configured to disperse a coloring material to a cloth substrate, comprising a hollow housing that contains the coloring material therein, the hollow housing being configured to fracture upon application of a force to the housing and disperse the coloring material to the cloth substrate to color the cloth substrate.

Hydrographic sheets and dip and decorator activity-kits are provided. The dip and decorator activity-kits comprise one or more hydrographic sheet formed of a water-soluble film, having decoration art formed from a non-aqueous ink or dye disposed on at least one side of the sheet, and an instruction for imparting an artistic effect to the article using the one or more hydrographic sheets. The hydrographic sheet leaves floating decoration art upon dissolution in water and wherein the floating decoration art comprises a softened and at least partially solubilized water-soluble film with decoration art for adhering to an article.

A platen and hoop configured to securely hold a garment in place on a platen. The platen and hoop can be used for automated printing of graphics, such as by direct to garment printing (DTG). The hoop has downward extending hoop sidewalls that can surround the platen structure when the hoop is fitted onto the platen. The platen has platen sidewalls that are hinged to a base of the platen, and which rotate upward to hold a fabric workpiece against the hoop sidewalls to securely hold the fabric workpiece during printing. The platen sidewalls can be formed with inward protruding tabs or feet located at their base, and which cause the platen sidewalls to rotate upward when engaged by the hoop sidewalls.

Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.

Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.