‘For decades the leather industry has sought to beautify leather by adding durable full-colour graphics cost-effectively,’ says Bob Mabbott, SIF Technology Corporation’s chief technical officer.
‘Now that our new patented technology has been fully tested to international standards for leather footwear and automobile interiors, we are able to offer anyone who designs leathergoods the ability to seamlessly apply full-colour graphics to the exacting requirements of the Pantone Matching System, which was previously unattainable in the leather decorating industry.’
Finishing chemical supplier Stahl have been actively supporting the development of SmartFilm and carrying out testing on behalf of SIF Technology. Stahl report that the product meets performance standards required for leathers in a whole range of uses.
SmartFilm enables designers to recreate any type of graphic on leathergoods, including photographic and fine art images. Once applied, graphics become part of the leather for an image that’s consistent and durable. A design can be economically printed on one piece or a million pieces.
‘Graphics cut across all brands, fashions, and performance standards. Now that SIF Technology has tested and perfected its invention to leather industry standards, we can individually customize leather products of all types using mass production methods,’ says William Peterson of E-West Designs, an industrial design and business management firm. ‘Designers will have the ability to create a connection to a leather product with an unlimited palette of images and forms, which was not commercially possible until now.’
SIF Technology began production at its facilities in Sarasota, Florida in early September. The facility will be the first of three locations that will provide custom digital imaging and beautification services for leather and hides. The company plan to expand their services and operations in China and the UK in January 2009.
