Epson's move into the digital textile printing market is continuing with the acquisition of a 50 percent share of Italy-based For.Tex by its subsidiary Epson Italia.

The agreement will see For.Tex take responsibility for selling dedicated inks for the Monna Lisa digital textile printer – which was developed jointly by Epson and Robustelli of Italy – as well as manufacturing and selling treatment agents.

For.Tex will sell dedicated inks for the Monna Lisa printer as part of the agreement

"We are delighted to announce this agreement with For.Tex," says Minoru Usui, corporate president, Epson. "It's another example of how Epson is seeking to leverage its core Micro Piezo technology to provide enhanced value to new customers in fields as diverse as proofing, signage, commercial photography, production and industry.

"Both Epson and For.Tex are leaders in their respective fields, and this tie-up provides a superb opportunity to expand the market for digital textile printing."

Epson states that digital textile printing is expected to grow by 400 percent between 2010 and 2015.