Maples adds printed rug power   

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/8/2008 1:02:00 PM

Scottsboro, Ala. – A new Chromajet printer equipped with high-definition, improved resolution and dozens of new color options is broadening the spectrum for Maples Rugs’ printed rug assortment.

The $270 million bath and accent rug company has more than doubled its printed introductions – to about 50 total new designs – for next week’s New York Home Fashions Market.

Wade Maples, president and owner of the company, compared the new rugs versus former printed versions in his line to recent advances in television technology. “It’s like the difference between regular TV and high-definition TV,” he explained. “The difference is obvious in our new products.”

Maples conceived and developed its new printed rug line over the past three months upon receiving the sample machinery. The company is currently installing the permanent production machinery at its facilities here.

With the new equipment, Maples has been able to create more designs styles – including organic, contemporary, casual and others -- with additional looks and colorways, he said.

But there are also new capabilities not available before, such as photorealism and enhanced texture options. “We can now actually convert many photographs to print onto these rugs,” Maples said. And texture “can be seen,” not just felt, quite clearly now on the rugs.

The ability to capture more detail and color, he summed up, “has opened up other design areas we’ve never been to penetrate before.”