MUMBAI, India — Dicitex Furnishings Pvt. expects to introduce a new line of digitally printed bedding and curtains at Proposte.

The company has purchased a $500,000 Reggiani digital printing machine for this purpose with first production expected in April according to Rajnish Aroraa, principal.

“We have presold the lines to an important buyer up to 45,000 meters per month. We did this once before in 2007 with jacquard fabrics sold to  a major retailer. It’s a great way to start the business,” he says. He would not identify his initial customer for the digital printed lines. 

The initial collection will be printed on cotton and linen with 35 designs. Minimums are 300 meters per color, he says. The digitally printed designs will feature 12-16 colors utilizing Huntsman and DuPont inks.  “In the near future, we expect to digitally print viscose and any other natural fibers. Within two years time, we expect to order another two Reggiani machines for that purpose,” he says.

On another front, Rajnish points to “We’ve made a habit of weaving success” as his latest advertising campaign for Dicitex Furnishings. In terms of weaving, Dicitex Furnishings is making wide width linen fabrics for the home. This is ending up in linen made-ups, curtains and throws. “We’re already selling these collections in the USA. Other products include embroidered curtains, velvet jacquards, chenille and damask upholstery,” he says. “Through an American wholesaler, we recently scored a big contract for a 120 unit hotel chain. This includes polyester bedding; made-ups, throws and bolsters.

On other subjects, Rajnish noted that commission agents who purchase yarn in India are disappearing as mills try to go to yarn suppliers directly and cut out the middle man.“Indian mills are also going direct to Indian retailers, bypassing the fabric wholesaler domestically. Dicitex Furnishings is one of the few mills not going direct to the retailer in India. We still sell through the wholesaler.”

Rajnish also sees problems in China with labor as the Yuan increases in value. “If I buy yarn in China, it is more expensive than buying it in India; be Indian, buy Indian” he says. “In the coming five years, India’s economy will continue to grow.”