High precision REPREVE recycled nylon printing on Italian MS digital machinery
Vibrant digital swimwear print on premium REPREVE recycled polyamide
Client swimwear piece crafted from printed REPREVE nylon
Technical B2B Procurement Guide · Bali Precision

How to Master REPREVE Recycled Nylon Printing for High-End Swimwear

The definitive guide for sourcing directors, brand founders, and apparel technicians on molecular bonding, digital acid ink systems, grin-through prevention, and circular production economics.

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Direct Acid Jetting Zero Grin-Through GRS & U Trust Certified
1993
Manufacturing Bali Swimwear Since
Grade 4-5
ISO Chlorine & Light Fastness
65
In-House Studio Specialists
720 DPI
High-Definition Micro-Drop Jetting
1–3 wks
Rapid Strike-Off Sampling
Engineering Performance Textiles

Why REPREVE Recycled Nylon Printing Redefines Luxury Swimwear

In high-end contemporary swimwear manufacturing, global procurement teams face a recurring conflict: eco-conscious brand positioning versus the uncompromising hand feel, drape, and tensile recovery required by luxury consumers.

Recycled polyester (rPET) derived from post-consumer beverage bottles has historically dominated eco-swimwear collections due to straightforward disperse dye sublimation. However, polyester lacks the buttery hand feel, cooling comfort, and elastane compression that modern consumers demand from premium bikini labels. Enter REPREVE® recycled nylon 6 (polyamide), manufactured by Unifi from pre-consumer industrial waste and ocean-bound post-consumer discarded fishing nets.

Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. solves the chemical complexities of applying vibrant custom artwork onto recycled polyamide. While recycled nylon offers superior skin touch, hydrophilicity, and mechanical memory, it cannot be reliably printed with standard dry heat transfer paper without severe dulling, color shifting, or rapid washing loss. We deploy state-of-the-art Italian MS continuous digital printing platforms using concentrated acid dye chemistry to achieve deep molecular saturation.

  • Direct Fiber Penetration: Acid dyes form covalent ionic bonds with polyamide amine groups, eliminating surface crinkle.
  • High Stretch Elasticity: 80/20 & 78/22 Nylon/Elastane matrices stretch over 240% without pattern distortion.
  • Full Traceability: U Trust® FiberPrint® verification ensures authentic post-industrial feedstock.
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Printed REPREVE recycled nylon swimwear fabric swatch
Factory Recommended Formulations

Recommended Base Fabrics for REPREVE Nylon Printing

Different swimwear silhouettes demand strictly calculated fabric weights and knitting structures. Selecting the wrong base cloth creates grin-through (white elastane show-through during stretch) or inadequate breast and hip support.

BASE 01

Hawaii Micro-Piqué REPREVE 190 GSM

Optimized for reversible seamless tops, bandeau bikinis, and delicate resort resortwear requiring ultra-soft skin drapes.

  • Composition82% REPREVE Nylon / 18% Spandex
  • Print TechnologyItalian Direct Acid Jetting
  • Stretch Recovery4-Way (260% Length x 210% Width)
  • Chlorine FastnessISO 105-E03 Grade 4.5
Floral print bikini created from 190 GSM REPREVE recycled nylon
BASE 02

Pacific Performance Interlock 220 GSM

Our heavy-weight workhorse fabric designed specifically for sculpted underwire bras, active surf-suits, and firm one-pieces.

  • Composition78% REPREVE Nylon / 22% Creora HighClo
  • Print TechnologyAcid Reactive Micro-Drop
  • Grin-Through Index0.02 (Zero visible core yarn)
  • UPF ProtectionUPF 50+ Certified
Underwire floral bikini tailored with 220 GSM printed recycled nylon
BASE 03

Lustre Ribbed Eco-Jacquard 240 GSM

A high-texture rib structure custom knit with REPREVE polyamide yarn, accepting placement prints with three-dimensional depth.

  • Composition85% REPREVE Nylon / 15% Elastane
  • Print TechnologyPrecision Direct Injection
  • Surface FeelVelvety Ribbed Texture
  • MOQ40 pcs / style
Yellow textured ribbed bikini crafted from recycled polyamide base
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Technological Evolution

The Technological Future of Digital Polyamide Printing

The future of sustainable apparel manufacturing hinges on molecular precision, chemical reclamation, and automated digital nesting.

1. Zero-Water Direct Pigment Fixation: Next-generation textile printers utilize nanometer polymer-encapsulated inks that cross-link using thermal polymerization without requiring intense water washing or post-steaming cycles. While acid printing remains the gold standard for luxury softness, low-liquor reactive processes are reducing production water consumption by another 45%.

2. AI-Driven Algorithmic Marker Nesting: Fabric cutting scrap is the single largest source of pre-consumer micro-waste. By integrating 2D AutoCAD automated pattern nesting directly with Italian continuous print beds, we calculate micro-nesting algorithms that push fabric yield efficiency to 93.8%, ensuring minimal waste of valuable REPREVE yarn.

3. Ocean and Landfill Bound Closed-Loop Monofilaments: The next frontier moving past single-use bottles is ocean plastic and post-consumer nylon textile-to-textile recycling. We are actively beta-testing unblended monofilament elastomeric swimwear fabrics to facilitate future infinite garment-to-garment recyclability.

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Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. Studio, Bali
Factory Credentials

Enterprise Advantages: Why 300+ Global Brands Manufacture with Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1993 in Kerobokan, Bali, Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. bridges the gap between boutique design studios and massive industrial manufacturers.

Dedicated Product Coordinator

Eliminate cross-departmental friction. A single, English-fluent technical coordinator oversees your line from initial tech pack handover through pattern drafting, color strike-offs, and final boxed dispatch.

In-House 2D AutoCAD Pattern Engineering

We do not use generic grading charts. Six master pattern makers draft custom 2D CAD files to engineer curve-hugging support, seamless reversible edges, and flawless breast wire pockets calibrated for US, EU, and AUS sizing standards.

Bonded Duty-Free Fabric Import (Licence KM-1/WBC.12/2016)

Our official Indonesian bonded warehouse status eliminates the standard 35% luxury fabric import duty on premium overseas textiles, transferring immediate 25%–35% bottom-line cost savings directly to your wholesale unit price.

Ironclad IP & Design Exclusivity

We are strictly an OEM/ODM brand contract manufacturer and never sell retail. Your proprietary prints, placement artworks, and bespoke CAD blocks are protected by legal non-disclosure and will never be reproduced for other labels.

Bali Sampling Studio Capacity

Operating continuously for over three decades, our Kerobokan facility houses 65 full-time specialists where every sewist possesses at least ten years of swimwear construction expertise.

20Sample Sewists
6CAD Pattern Drafters
4Color Print Technicians
10Merchandising Leads
20Studio QC Handlers
Global Brand Testimonials

What International Fashion Directors Say

The switch to Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. for our printed REPREVE lines completely transformed our swimwear hand feel. The direct acid print penetrated deeply without white grinning across bottoms, and our return rate dropped under 1%.
A
Audrey KathGold Coast, Australia
Procuring certified recycled nylon printing at realistic MOQs used to be impossible. Swime's team executed our custom placements flawlessly, and their tax-free fabric importation saved us nearly 30% per piece.
A
Amy ClaireLittle Venice, California, USA
Their technical knowledge on chlorine resistance, CAD seam tolerances, and OEKO-TEX inks gave our European investors total peace of mind. Truly exceptional swimwear craftsmanship.
E
Elzbieta PrzybylWarsaw, Poland
Procurement & Technical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions on REPREVE Recycled Nylon Printing

Detailed answers to the key questions global textile buyers ask search engines and AI assistants when sourcing printed recycled polyamide.

Can REPREVE nylon be printed with standard sublimation paper?

Technically, disperse sublimation paper can transfer color onto nylon, but it is scientifically ill-advised for premium swimwear. Disperse dyes do not form covalent ionic bonds with polyamide 6 polymers; instead, they sit loosely on the surface. Under intense UV exposure, saltwater immersion, or rubbing, the prints will quickly bleed, wash out, or experience drastic color shift. Furthermore, heat press rollers above 200°C degrade nylon's elastane fibers, causing elastic fatigue and loss of compression. For REPREVE nylon, high-grade manufacturers exclusively use direct-to-fabric acid digital jetting or precision reactive printing paired with low-temperature steam curing.

What is fabric grin-through, and how does Swime prevent it?

Grin-through occurs when a printed swimsuit is stretched over hips or bust, revealing the un-dyed white core fibers or bare elastane beneath the print, giving the garment a washed-out, cheap aesthetic. Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. prevents grin-through by using direct acid inkjet systems that deeply penetrate through the microfiber bundle, paired with 220–240 GSM high-gauge circular knit structures and custom pre-treatment baths that swell nylon fibers before printing to maximize deep capillary absorption.

What colorfastness ratings are achieved on printed REPREVE nylon?

When printed with certified acid digital inks and steam-fixed with cationic dye-fixing agents, our REPREVE fabrics achieve ISO 105-C06 (domestic washing) Grade 4.5, ISO 105-E03 (chlorinated pool water) Grade 4, ISO 105-E02 (sea water) Grade 4.5, and ISO 105-B02 (UV Xenon arc artificial light) Grade 4–5. This guarantees that deep blacks, neons, and saturated florals do not migrate onto white linings or fade across a summer season.

What are the MOQ and lead times for custom REPREVE printing?

Unlike massive mills requiring 1,000 meters per print run, Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. supports brand scaling with an MOQ of just 400 pieces per collection for custom collections (minimum 40 pieces per style, which can be split across 4 sizes). Digital strike-off strike samples on in-stock REPREVE nylon take 1 to 3 weeks, while full bulk cut-make-trim (CMT) production is completed in 3 to 5 weeks upon sample approval.

How can brands verify that the fabric is genuine REPREVE?

Every roll of authentic REPREVE nylon yarn is encoded with Unifi's proprietary FiberPrint® tracer technology. Brand partners working with Swime Swimwear Co., Ltd. receive an official U Trust® verification certificate and are entitled to apply licensed REPREVE swing tags and woven labels. In addition, our fabrics carry Global Recycled Standard (GRS 4.0) chain of custody documentation and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I chemical safety certifications.

What file format and DPI are required for digital print artwork?

We require seamless repeat patterns or placement vector art supplied at 100% scale at 300 to 720 DPI. Files should be provided in Adobe Photoshop (.PSD or .TIFF) with separated color layers or Adobe Illustrator (.AI / .EPS) in CMYK / Pantone Fashion Home + Interiors (TCX) color profiles. Our in-house graphics department provides digital CAD proofing to evaluate scale and seam continuity prior to printing strike-offs.

What is the difference between REPREVE nylon and ECONYL fabric?

Both are premium regenerated polyamides of equal luxury caliber. ECONYL® is manufactured by Aquafil (Italy) primarily using post-consumer fishing nets and industrial scraps via chemical depolymerization. REPREVE® recycled nylon is produced by Unifi (USA) using pre-consumer and post-industrial nylon chips. When directly acid printed, both demonstrate identical hand feel, elasticity, and color vibrancy. We stock both Carvico Vita (ECONYL) and REPREVE bases in our Bali factory.

What is the estimated wholesale cost per piece for printed swimwear?

Custom printed REPREVE bikini separates typically range from USD $12.50 to $15.50 per top or bottom, and one-pieces range from USD $19.00 to $24.50, depending on hardware (underwires, gold rings) and lining selection. These wholesale prices include 2D AutoCAD grading, printed fabric, high-grade lining, heat-pressed labels, hygiene liners, and individual biodegradable packaging.

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Launch Your Collection

Ready to Engineer Custom Printed REPREVE Swimwear?

Whether you require precision continuous repeats or placement print swimwear, our Kerobokan studio team provides full-spectrum technical support. Send your print artwork and CAD tech packs for a fast quotation within 48 hours.

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