RYKKERI Forssa Fabric Oy
Forssa, Finnland
Nestled in the historic Weaving Mill Area, Rykkeri embodies a rich textile tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Since its establishment in 2009, the company has played a crucial role in preserving local craftsmanship while embracing modern design.
Unique Features of Rykkeri’s Process
Bold, Modern Designs: Known for its playful patterns and vivid colors, Rykkeri offers contemporary aesthetics while honoring traditional production methods.
Hand-Operated Printing Table: Rykkeri is distinguished by its 20-meter hand-operated printing table, a rarity that allows for exceptional craftsmanship and detail.
Artisan Approach: Emphasizing quality over quantity, Rykkeri’s deliberate printing process ensures each piece is crafted with care, resulting in unique fabrics.
Rykkeri continues the legacy of textile printing that has defined Forssa for generations. Following the closure of major textile factories, Rykkeri emerged as a beacon of hope, ensuring the preservation of the area’s textile heritage through innovative and modern operations.
Historical Context
The roots of textile printing in Forssa trace back to the Finlayson-Forssa factories, which were pivotal in Finnish textile manufacturing. With the closure of these factories in 2009, Rykkeri stepped in to safeguard this rich heritage, blending tradition with contemporary practices.
Silk Screen Printing Process at Rykkeri
At Rykkeri, the silk screen printing process is a captivating journey that begins with the creation of a design, which can be either hand-drawn or digitally crafted. Once the design is finalized, it is transferred to a transparent film, setting the stage for the next steps. The magic unfolds as a mesh screen is coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, which must dry before it can be exposed to light. This exposure is crucial; the film is placed over the emulsion-coated screen, allowing light to penetrate and harden the emulsion in areas not covered by the design.
After washing the screen with water, the stencil emerges, revealing the intricate patterns that will soon come to life on fabric. The fabric is then carefully aligned on a remarkable 20-meter hand-operated printing table, a hallmark of Rykkeri’s commitment to craftsmanship. Using a squeegee, the vibrant ink is pushed across the screen, transferring the design onto the fabric below. This meticulous process often involves multiple screens for different colors, each layer adding depth and richness to the final product. Once the ink is applied, the fabric is left to dry and is often heat-set to ensure durability. Finally, each piece undergoes a thorough inspection and finishing touches, ensuring that every fabric is not just a product, but a work of art ready for the world.
Rykkeri is a Finnish artisan print studio creating unique, small-batch textiles—most famously the layered, one-of-a-kind rykkityyki—born from the art and history of fabric printing in Forssa.
- Empowered and dedicated, these incredible ladies lead with vision and passion, driving innovation and excellence in everything they do. Together, they embody the spirit of teamwork and creativity that makes Rykkeri a standout in the industry. Here’s to their hard work and commitment!
Rykkeri stands at the forefront of preserving Finland’s textile printing heritage while infusing modern design elements into its fabrics. Their artisan approach, especially the use of a hand-operated printing table, reflects a commitment to quality and craftsmanship. By embracing traditional silk screen printing processes, Rykkeri ensures that Finnish textile printing remains culturally relevant and creatively innovative in today’s world. Join me in celebrating this remarkable journey through the art of textile printing!
2. Finished product: rykkityyki is a layered, richly colored, and inherently unique fabric created as an accumulated by product of fabric printing, historically cherished in Finland and now intentionally produced in small quantities by Rykkeri.
