On the second day we visited Bennettsville Printing, a screen printing mill. I have always been interested in how mass production screen printing worked. Instead of a flat screen they are on rollers. They still use photo emulsion, although in the past couple years instead of light setting they use a laser cutter to create the images.
All of their inks are custom mixed, just like paint at the hardware store. Pigment is added to a gum base to give the right consistency for printing.
All the rollers are set up, each with a different layer. They can go up to 16 layers. The ink flows from the inside which are pumped in from the buckets in the back. They average at 34 yards per minute.
The fabric then goes through a series of drying, washing and chemical processes to set the ink and apply various finishes, depending on the end use.
Our second stop of the day was to Miles Talbott, a furniture manufacturer. They have a vast catalogue of furniture and fabric. Once the fabric is selected it is either hand cut or laser cut.
All the pieces are laid out on the computer to maximize waste from the cuts, but it is also important to match up the pattern where the pieces meet so there is a technician adjusting the pattern on the fabric before it is cut.
In the wood shop, hardwood is now predominently replaced with engineered hardwood and now the wood is cut with a machine versus hand cut. Being in a furniture class I would have liked to see some hand craftsmanship but that seems to be fading away in the mass production furniture industry.
A wide variety of styles with some beautiful details and finishes.
Eight way tied, all hand tied for maximum quality.
The upholstery, what I am the most interested in.
It was so cool to see a fabric and a piece of wood turn into a finished piece of furniture all in an hours time (not a single piece but the process!) I'm inspired now to see how my shills can translate into furniture making.
Be Inspired. Be Bold.
peace&love
Rebecca
