We’re in it for the planet.

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A message from our founder, Kathryn Sanders:

“As a third-generation textile printer, I witnessed the industry evolve into the digital age firsthand. I have vivid memories visiting my grandfather’s dyehouse and seeing the robust analog textile dyeing and finishing machines transform greige goods into works of art. From jet dyeing to rotary screen printing, I saw it all. I also saw the industry leave the United States and with it a mass exodus of textile manufacturing skills, knowledge, and expertise.

As the textile industry has changed and evolved so has our family’s involvement. My father helped build some of the first digital textile printers, consulting on everything from ink chemistry and machine mechanics to textile compatibility. When analog textile printing went offshore in the early 2000s, he built a business engineering and developing textiles specifically for the digital printing industry.

Over the years my father’s enthusiasm for digital textile printing became contagious. As an environmentalist, I found myself inspired and captivated by the sustainability prowess and potential of digital printing technology. Dreams of sustainable and US-based manufacturing fueled my decision to follow in my grandfather and father’s footsteps.

I founded Western Sensibility to bring textile printing production back to the USA, champion art, and usher modern sustainable printing methods into the mainstream.”

WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from textiles production totaled 1.2 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e), more than the emissions of all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Textile production also discharges high volumes of wastewater containing hazardous chemicals into local bodies of water. For example, 20% of industrial water pollution globally is attributable to the dyeing and treatment of textiles.

how we’re sustainable

Waterless Process

In comparison to analog textile printing methods (which still accounts for approx. 90% of textile printing globally), our digital textile printing method saves approx. 20 gallons of water per yard.

Digital Textile Printing has been estimated to have saved over 10 billion gallons of water worldwide in 2018.  If the textile industry transitioned to digital printing worldwide, we could save over 500 billion gallons of water annually.

Low Energy

Our digital printers use approx. 140 watts of energy per yard, while analog printing methods use roughly 460 watts per yard. This 63% energy saving allows our studio to spearhead clean textile production that, if adopted worldwide, could reduce the power use of the textile industry by 900 gigawatts.

Additionally, our digital textile printing process is estimated to save 75% more energy than other digital print technologies.

Non-Toxic Inks

We’re proud to use aqueous non-toxic and GREENGUARD Gold certified inks in our printing processes. These inks reduce the total carbon footprint of textile printing by 40% at scale, and reduces water consumption by over 60%.

Our inks also eliminate the need for hazardous chemicals, which reduces hazardous waste streams by 85%. This reduces particulate matter pollution, acidification, and freshwater eutrophication, which means less impact on the air, land, and water.

Localized Low-Waste Production

We’re proud to be a low waste facility. Through our digital printing processes we are able to reduce CO2 emissions by streamlining production significantly in comparison to traditional analog production.  

Additionally, our hyper-efficient print-on-demand structure empowers us to reduce obsolescence.

Recycling & Recyclable Materials

We champion recycling in our production workflow. Our textiles are recyclable and we consciously curate materials and supplies – from paper to packing tape – that meet our high environmental standards.

We support industry efforts for recycled or downcycled materials, which can extend the life of textile fibers.

Zero Watershed Contamination

Unlike analog textile printing, we discharge zero waste into our water table.

Our non-toxic inks reduce resource consumption and eliminate significant chemical and wastewater components from the production cycle as well.

Low Carbon Footprint

While our low energy use alone is revolutionary to our industry, we’re proud to focus on localized printing and production as well. On-shoring is important to us because not only are we able to bring printing opportunities back to the USA, we’re decreasing carbon output on a global level by increasing accessibility state-side.

Additionally, our digital printing processes are free of heavy metals, ethoxylates, formaldehyde, alkylphenol, and VOCs.

Landfill Mitigation

Our design and printing solutions are built for longevity and we've engineered our substrates for durability. With an increased lifespan, our recyclable substrates reduce landfill generation. 

Additionally, we launched our vintage furniture program to illustrate circularity and sustainable design and keep furniture out of the landfill.

A painting of my grandfather’s dyehouse, Cal-Pacific Dyeing & Finishing. c 1967

LET’S WORK TOGETHER