Additive manufacturing and the new approach to Fashion: innovation and sustainability in the textile industry

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5965.25944630932025e7528

Keywords:

additive manufacturing, 3D printing, textile industry, sustainability, mass customization

Abstract

This article examines the impact of 3D printing on the textile and fashion industry, highlighting its potential to revolutionize production processes, reduce environmental impacts, and enable mass customization. Through a literature review, the study demonstrates how this technology facilitates the creation of clothing, accessories, and smart textiles with complex structures while minimizing waste through on-demand production. The findings reveal advancements in flexible materials, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and sustainable alternatives, such as polylactic acid (PLA, bio inks), illustrated by case studies such as Iris Van Herpen and Danit Peleg. The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technique stands out for its versatility, enabling direct printing on fabrics as well as the production of electronic wearables. However, challenges remain, including limitations in breathable materials, scaling costs, and regulatory issues related to intellectual property. The study concludes that 3D printing, aligned with ethical and environmental values, has the potential to redefine the textile industry by combining creativity, efficiency, and socio-environmental responsibility provided there is multidisciplinary collaboration and investment in research on biocomposites and decentralized logistics.

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Author Biographies

Marcia Cristina Silva, Universidade Federal do ABC

PhD in Energy from the Federal University of ABC (2023), Master in Science from the University of São Paulo (2018) with a FAPESP scholarship, Bachelor's degree in Textile and Fashion from the University of São Paulo (2016) and Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Technology from the Faculty of Technology of São Paulo (2001). She has experience in Production Engineering, with an emphasis on Quality Control Assurance, Quality and Environmental Management Systems. Substitute professor in the Department of Mechanics of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo (2023 - 2024).

Júlia Baruque-Ramos, Universidade de São Paulo

Associate Professor 3 at the University of São Paulo in the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH-USP). She holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in Chemical Engineering from USP (1988, 1995 and 2000), a law degree from the São Francisco Law School of USP (1993) and a post-doctorate degree from the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of USP (2011). She previously worked at the Butantan Institute and Rhodia Têxtil. She received an Honorable Mention in the SUS Science and Technology Award in 2005. She has experience in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, with an emphasis on TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY and BIOTECHNOLOGY, working mainly on the following topics: textile recycling, native plant fibers, polymers, polysaccharides, batch and fed-batch cultivation of microorganisms and kinetic analysis. Currently, their main lines of research are the study of Brazilian vegetable fibers for textile applications and the study of textile recycling (processes and products) for the production of yarns, nonwovens, composites and other products that can be inserted into the textile chain.

Isabel Cristina Italiano, Universidade de São Paulo

Professor (tenured professor) and researcher in Textiles and Fashion - UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO - USP (undergraduate and postgraduate). Interested in the areas of development of HISTORICAL and CURRENT COSTUMES (research, modeling and manufacturing), HISTORICAL and CURRENT TAILORING (research, modeling and manufacturing) and STAGE COSTUMES (modeling and manufacturing of stage costumes for exhibitions, theater, cinema, television and dance). Also conducts research in an interdisciplinary area, in the development of innovative TECHNOLOGY products aimed at the clothing area (e-TEXTILES and WEARABLES).

Fernando Gasi, Universidade Federal do ABC

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Centro Universitário da FEI (1984) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the State University of Campinas (2010), with twenty-five years of professional experience in the industrial segment. He currently works as an Associate Professor at UFABC.

Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro, Universidade de São Paulo

Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro, Graduado em Fisioterapia e Educação Física, mestre e doutor em Neurologia/USP. Pós-doutorado na USP, Holanda e Harvard. Livre-docente pela USP. E-mail: carlosmonteiro@usp.br, http://lattes.cnpq.br/7155249367394645, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2661-775X

João Paulo Pereira Marcicano, Universidade de São Paulo

Mechanical Engineer from the University of São Paulo (1989), Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of São Paulo (1995) and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of São Paulo (2000). He is currently an associate professor in the Textile and Fashion course at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo where he teaches courses in the area of ​​textile technology and management.

Maria Sílvia Barros de Held, Universidade de São Paulo

She holds a degree in Arts (1974) and in Advertising / Propaganda (1974) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, a Master's in Arts from the School of Communications and Arts of the University of São Paulo (1983), a PhD in Arts from the School of Communications and Arts of the University of São Paulo (1990) and a Full Professorship (Associate / Tenured Professor) (2019) from the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo. She is currently a tenured Professor at the University of São Paulo, at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH-USP) in RDIDP in the Textile and Fashion Course, in the area of ​​Design and Fashion and has been a Member of ICOM - International Council of Museums / UNESCO, since 2000. Today she is also a visiting professor at the University of Lisbon (Portugal), at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (Portugal) and a researcher at the Center for Research in Architecture, Urbanism and Design (CIAUD) of the University of Lisbon (Portugal), where she developed her Post-Doctorate in 2016.

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Published

2025-10-15

How to Cite

SILVA, Marcia Cristina; BARUQUE-RAMOS, Júlia; ITALIANO, Isabel Cristina; GASI, Fernando; MONTEIRO, Carlos Bandeira de Mello; MARCICANO, João Paulo Pereira; HELD, Maria Sílvia Barros de. Additive manufacturing and the new approach to Fashion: innovation and sustainability in the textile industry. Revista de Ensino em Artes, Moda e Design, Florianópolis, v. 9, n. 3, p. 1–28, 2025. DOI: 10.5965.25944630932025e7528. Disponível em: https://www.revistas.udesc.br/index.php/ensinarmode/article/view/27528. Acesso em: 18 oct. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2025): Dossiê 19: Metodologia em Design, Engenharia, Design de Produto, Materiais têxteis e Educação

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Dossiê

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Copyright (c) 2025 Marcia Cristina Silva, Júlia Baruque-Ramos, Isabel Cristina Italiano, Fernando Gasi, Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro, João Paulo Pereira Marcicano, Maria Sílvia Barros de Held

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