3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from digital file. The creation of 3D printed object is achieved by additive processes. The object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. This technology is being extensively used both in prototyping and additive manufacturing.

1. B Y ,
P A R T H L A D
A T H A R V A S A L O K H E
3D Printing in Fashion and Smart Clothing

2. • 3D printing is a process of making three
dimensional solid objects from digital file.
• The creation of 3D printed object is achieved by
additive processes. The object is created by laying
down successive layers of material until the object
is created.
• This technology is being extensively used both in
prototyping and additive manufacturing.
• 3D printing enables us to produce complex shapes
using less material than traditional manufacturing
methods.
What is 3D Printing?

3. Introduction to Smart Clothing
• Smart clothes, also frequently referred to as high tech
clothing, smart garments, smart wear, electronic textiles, smart
textiles, e-textiles, monitor clothing, or smart fabrics, are
clothing items that have been enhanced with technology to add
functionality beyond that of the traditional use.
• Some smart clothes use advanced textiles with interwoven
circuitry, while others implement sensors and additional
hardware to give it its smart functionality. Many smart clothes
can connect to an app or program on a secondary device
using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. However, this wireless connectivity
isn't necessary to classify a garment as a type of smart
clothing.
• Researches succeeded in using a 3D printer to bind electronic
materials to textiles in a new and efficient way. The printed
motives and writings have the ability to transform movement
into energy. It can absorb electricity and store it in textiles.

4. Companies Manufacturing 3D Printed Smart Clothes
• Sensoria Smart Socks: This company
manufactures smart socks that can detect
which part of your feet are receiving
the most pressure during your run and
can send this data to a smartphone app.
• Samsung: Samsung has made a smart
business suit that can exchange digital
business cards, unlock phones, and
interact with other devices.
• Under Armour: Manufactures ‘Athlete
Recovery Sleepwear’ absorbs heat from
the wearer's body while releasing
infrared light to increase sleep quality
and improve muscle recovery.
• Ralph Lauren: Ralph Lauren’s
Polytech T-shirt connect to a
smartphone app to record fitness
activity and recommend new workouts
to the wearer.

5. 3D Printing in Fashion
• Currently, when it comes to 3D printed wearable clothing, the practices are mostly limited to art pieces or
haute couture for major fashion designers.
• 3D printing in fashion is an interesting avenue for designers and artists interested in creating complex
geometric designs and wearable art. However, many of these designs are not really wearable in day-to-day
life.
• Although designers are innovating and developing new techniques, it is only on a mainstream level, 3D
printed fashion is still growing. We expect to see this side of the fashion expand over the coming years.

6. Evolution of 3D Printing in Fashion
• Interesting to know is that the 3D printing
technology can become a critical factor in the
sustainable development. 3D printing technology
removes the need for product transportation across
the world, as goods can be printed on site. More
than that, 3D printers have the capacity of using
recyclable materials in the production stage, thus
achieve the zero-waste level of manufacturing
required for sustainable development.
• This is just the beginning. Some of the most
revolutionary applications of the 3D printing
technology for the fashion industry are yet to come.
More fashion designers are using 3D body scanning
in conjunction with 3D printing technology, to
create custom-made garments, that are ready to buy.
• The main beneficiaries, beyond sustainable
development, are the consumers of personal
fashion goods. Such innovation allows fashion
consumers to experience a previously unseen
level of apparel customization. Moreover, fashion
brands can also benefit from quicker turnarounds.

7. 3D printed Accessories and Companies in the Field
• VIP TIE
VIP TIE is an Italian company that is famous
for 3D printing ties. The goal of the company
is to offer fashionable accessories that are as
personalized as possible in order to satisfy the
needs and desires of the customers. VIP
TIE combines both luxury and innovative high-
tech design.
• Adidas
A new Adidas FUTURE-CRAFT 4D running
shoe is an airy lattice pierced by bow-tie-
shaped holes. When compressed, its squashing
motion advances your foot compared with the
position of the sole on the ground.
Conventional midsoles, by comparison, just
compress downward so your foot mashes
harder against the front of the shoe.

8. • CONTINUUM
With 3D printed nylon are incredibly strong while
also being impossibly lightweight. They are lined
with a patent leather inner sole, and coated with a
synthetic rubber on the bottom to provide traction.
• PROTOS
Sunglasses and prescription eyewear that can be
customized to fit. Customers are allowed to choose
from a range of frames. Protos frames are made
from bioplastic materials that are lighter than
titanium and more flexible. They are extremely
flexible and impact resistant.
• NIKE
Nike 3D-printed the mesh covering of the bag using
laser-sintered nylon, The intertwining mesh on the
bag's base is also created with similar techniques
used for the Flyknit material. A leather holdall fits
snugly inside the 3D-printed structure without
having to be attached to the case, offering more
flexibility.

9. Advantages of 3d Printing in the Field
• With 3D printing, we are using as much raw material as required to print, which means we are
eliminating the need for additional raw material, as we can print the exact size of the panel for each
garment.
• Beyond zero wastage, 3D printing eliminates many labor-intensive processes from the complete
apparel manufacturing cycle, reducing the labor costs.
• 3D printing allows much easier customization.
• Apart from cost savings, another big advantage that 3D printing offers is improved quality, as the
occasional human error is eliminated from the manufacturing process.
• Quick printing is possible i.e. printing garments under 24 hours.

10. Dis-advantages of 3d Printing in the Field
• 3D printed textiles and garments fail to offer comfort and flexibility that a garment is expected to
provide.
• They do not absorb moisture as the layers of the raw material fuse with each other, leaving no air gaps
• It can lead to unemployment.
• To operate 3D printer fully skilled operator is required.
• The cost of material for 3D printing of textiles and garments is high.

11. Future of 3D Printing in Fashion and Smart Clothing
3D printing technology is becoming a pioneer in driving forward growth and also will help us develop
sustainable products at very high speeds.
The future prospects where this technology may shine are:
• The use of 3d printing for printing garments locally.
• The creating of garments with variable elasticity between the materials used.
• The ability to customize any component with any design possible.
• The use of fibers that allow for analyzing data sets based on the performance of athletes.