Simultaneously, inkjets to render simple color designs on textiles are widely available (for making design samples) and more intricate patterns can be expressed on fabric through the latest technologies.

Texture of fabric is not as fine as that of paper but rough, as stated earlier.

How expressive inkjets can be in textile printing is being strongly questioned. Qualities differ considerably between auto flat bed screen and inkjet or rotary screen printing.Recent innovation in rotary screen printing has brought its printed results closer to that of auto flat bed screen printing, however, a difference between the two is still there. The differences in results between auto flat screen printing and hand printing are obvious.

Particularly in the method of hand printing carried out in Kyoto and Yokohama, Japan, where fabric is stretched over an inclined table for squeegeeing, high viscosity thickeners are used so as to prevent flowage. Its printed results are different from the hand printing of Como, Italy.

Low-viscosity thickeners are used in the hand printing of Como, on its flat tables, thereby bringing out the difference in results to those of Kyoto and Yokohama. How much textile printing varies in method and its considerable diversion are clearly indicated, even for the non-professional eye, in the diagram below.

Diagram: Thickener viscosity and mesh screens

Inkjet printing will become more and more diversified in the future, just as printed results vary between conventional methods.