THIS IS AN ARCHIVE POST FROM 2022.
The time has finally come for one of the biggest developments in Virivee’s history. I’ve been thinking about introducing sublimation printing to Virivee for a long time, and I actually had my first test prints made almost two years ago. Now I’ve finally taken the plunge and invested in a large-format sublimation printer, opening up endless possibilities for new tights designs.
Why sublimation printing?
Until now I’ve mainly used screen printing to create my tights. The problem is that preparing each design can be a long and expensive process. Many of the screens I use are custom made to fit specific sizes, and producing them can take up to two weeks. Because of the initial investment, screen printing makes the most sense when producing larger quantities, with the costs only paying off over time.
Sublimation printing works differently. I can now produce even a single pair of tights, which opens up a whole new world of possibilities. I can create truly unique pieces, offer personalized designs and experiment much more freely with new ideas.
My first sublimation printed tights collection
I decided to make the first collection a bit of an experiment. Rather than focusing on one particular style, I wanted to explore different ideas and see what worked well on tights. I also wanted to find out which designs customers would be most interested in, and which audiences I could reach most successfully with my tights. The results will help me decide which directions to explore in future collections. This is why the designs in this first collection are quite varied. Some styles are represented by just one design, while others include several different products. It’s a chance to try out different approaches and see where they lead.
One thing I’ve wanted to do for a long time is use vintage botanical illustrations on the tights, and I’m really happy with how the finished products turned out. Most of these old illustrations are made by Pierre-Joseph Redouté in the 18th century.
Most of the tights in this collection feature my signature asymmetrical designs, but I’ve also experimented with placing different patterns on the front and back of the same pair.
I’m planning to design more printed tights this summer, taking the sales results from this first collection into account. I’m really curious to see which designs people will love most and what new ideas this technology will inspire!
How I became a tights designer
The Virivee swimwear collection that had to wait
