Printing custom designs on leather
ECCO Leather calls itself the world’s first design-led tannery. Their recent investment in Agfa’s Alussa leather printing technology will enable them to create fully personalized products in any volume, at any time.
ECCO Leather is a global and innovative tannery that produces luxury leather goods, footwear and soft goods. When one of their customers was looking for a good solution to decorate leather, ECCO started researching providers of digital leather printing technologies. After a thorough benchmark, Alussa’s high-quality prints with outstanding durability and rub resistance led them to invest in Agfa’s solution.
By loading the video, you agree to Vimeo's privacy policy.
Learn more
“Alussa’s personalization options will enable us to expand our product offering and attract additional customers”, says Ricardo Cid Miranda, Factory Director of the ECCO Leather tannery in Dongen, the Netherlands. Having the printing technology in-house also fits in the company’s sustainability strategy as it means they don’t need to transport the leather to a printing company and back.
Alussa’s personalization options will enable us to expand our product offering and attract additional customers
The relationship with Agfa feels right, he adds. “We feel that Agfa strives for constant improvement and diversification, in the same way that we do. Our R&D departments have worked together very well to tune the typical tanning chemistry and the inkjet inks to each other.”
HOT-SHOP
Every year, ECCO organizes HOT-SHOP, a four-day event for people from all parts of the industry, including scientists, designers, research teams and leather workers. They participate in workshops centered around free creativity – without the pressure of commercial results. The presence of the Alussa printing solution at the latest edition attracted a lot of interest and got all parties involved thinking about additional decoration and customization options.
We feel that Agfa strives for constant improvement and diversification, in the same way that we do
A synergy between leather and ink
Alussa enables tanneries and service providers to add vibrant, colorful and ultra-sharp graphics to high-quality genuine leathers, while still retaining a high flex performance and great rub resistance. Its magic lies in the chemical synergy between the tanner’s coatings and the inkjet inks of the printing solution, which have been perfectly tuned to each other. With Alussa, brands designing and manufacturing leather products – be it shoes and handbags, interior decoration or upholstery – can add any design to them, for production in any volume and at any time.
Related information
