Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Textile Printing & Manufacturing Solutions
Established in 1970, R A Smart has built a reputation as a leading UK textile manufacturer, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Our expertise spans digital textile printing, screen printing, and Jacquard weaving, supported by over 50 years of industry experience. We pride ourselves on maintaining heritage techniques while pioneering innovations in fabric production. With a management team boasting over 100 years of combined experience, we offer end-to-end solutions from design to finished products. Our commitment to quality is evidenced by our ISO9001 accreditation and state-of-the-art facilities capable of producing over 1 million metres of fabric annually.We serve diverse sectors including fashion, interior design, and soft signage, with a global client base spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Our in-house capabilities include yarn dyeing, fabric coating, and sewing, ensuring complete control over production standards. As a trusted supplier of textile printing equipment and consumables, we support both emerging and established businesses worldwide. Our dedication to sustainability is reflected in eco-friendly practices such as water conservation and waste reduction initiatives. With facilities in Macclesfield, the historic heart of British silk production, we continue to champion UK manufacturing excellence.
Services
Digital Textile Printing
Screen Printing
Jacquard Weaving
Custom Printed Wallpaper
Textile Printing Equipment
Textile Printing Consumables
Reusable Fabric Signage
Finished Textile Products
Screen Printing Frames
Yarn Dyeing
Details
- Year established: 1970
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years of textile manufacturing expertise
- ISO9001-certified quality management system
- In-house digital & traditional printing capabilities
- Management team with 100+ years combined experience
- Global supply chain with UK-based production
Associations and certifications
- ISO9001
Services
Digital Textile Printing
Our digital textile printing service utilises cutting-edge Monna Lisa and Mimaki systems to produce high-quality fabric prints at speeds up to 150 metres per hour. We handle both short and long runs with precise colour matching across silks, cottons, polyesters, and organic fabrics. Our dedicated ink chemists ensure optimal results for fashion, sportswear, and interior applications.
Jacquard Weaving
Specialising in traditional Jacquard weaving, we produce intricate silk and wool fabrics using four high-speed looms capable of 10-30 metres per hour production. Our engineers combine historic techniques with modern technology to create bespoke designs for fashion and luxury interiors while maintaining Macclesfield's silk-making heritage.
Screen Printing
Offering traditional screen printing since 1970, we handle complex techniques like devor, flocking, and metallic foiling across 60+ metres of dedicated printing tables. Our facility supports large-volume production with custom ink mixing capabilities for both water-based and solvent inks.
Textile Printing Equipment
As UK distributors for leading brands, we supply digital textile printers, screen printing frames, and ancillary equipment. Our expertise includes HP Stitch and Mimaki systems, supported by technical advice on ink chemistries and process optimisation for commercial textile operations.
Custom Printed Wallpaper
We create bespoke digital wallpaper designs using eco-friendly inks on premium substrates including self-adhesive fabric options. Our minimum order of three rolls allows design flexibility with multiple patterns per order, serving commercial decorators and interior designers globally.
People
Ron Smart
Founder
Founded R A Smart in 1972, transforming it from a screen distribution business into a leading digital textile printing provider. Fluent in Italian, he combines business leadership with a passion for skiing and golf.
Helen Prunty
Senior Manager
With R A Smart since 1996, Helen oversees accounts and operations across group businesses. An avid runner and outdoor enthusiast, she brings over 25 years of textile industry management experience.
Andy Foster
Production Manager
Leading factory operations since 1988, Andy combines technical expertise with hands-on production management. His background spans all textile processes, supported by a passion for engineering and outdoor activities.
Questions
What textile printing methods do you offer?
We provide digital textile printing, traditional screen printing, and Jacquard weaving services using state-of-the-art equipment and heritage techniques.
Can you produce custom printed wallpaper?
Yes, our digital wallpaper service creates bespoke designs on premium substrates with minimum orders starting at three rolls.
Do you supply textile printing equipment?
As UK distributors for HP and Mimaki, we supply digital printing systems and screen printing frames with technical support.
What fabric types can you print on?
We handle silks, cottons, polyesters, viscose, velvet, linen, and organic fabrics with reactive, acid, and pigment inks.
Are you ISO certified?
Yes, our manufacturing processes are ISO9001 quality-controlled from fabric production to finished products.
What sustainability measures do you implement?
We use OEKO-TEX certified inks, reduce water consumption, and recycle waste materials through approved environmental channels.
Reviews (1)
JaiMelancholia
Sep 21, 2016
Report
I had been hoping not to have to write this negative review but the service has been so appalling. I have been trying to have fabric reprinted due to marks and tears on the fabric which took so long I've just had to get a refund instead for which I'm still waiting. Because of RA Smart's delays I am also out of pocket for work that began on garments that then could not be finished.
Emails do not get responded to, getting through on the phone seems pretty difficult and in order to get any information I have had to chase them. Printing does not often happen in the time frame given. In fact, after
Emails do not get responded to, getting through on the phone seems pretty difficult and in order to get any information I have had to chase them. Printing does not often happen in the time frame given. In fact, after
