Sharps Fabric Printers are a modern printing company, backed by a wealth of heritage. A small team with over 100 years of manufacturing history.
We combine the traditional print methods of yesterday with cutting edge digital print technology of today.
We transfer print individual designs onto a polyester fabric quality of your choice.
Polyester transfer print is our main area of expertise, but we can also facilitate other printing needs too.
Prompt service at competitive prices. Our team will guide and assist you throughout the whole process.
We offer a range of services to encompass a variety of printed fabric solutions.
Meet the team
Our history
(Image: Samples and correspondence – artificial shadow tissue effect by S.H. Sharp and Sons, Leeds, 1918. Part of Morton Collection.)
Originally based in Claypit Lane, Leeds, Sharps moved to its current location in Yeadon in the 1970s.
In the early stages of our history, the focus was on roller printing and flat-bed screen-printing. Sharps made a revolutionary break away from this method of printing in the late 1970’s and invested in a Stork rotary printing machine, which was one of the first commissioned in the UK. This advancement in technology allowed the printing to take on a whole new look by allowing the production of various widths and multi colour prints to be applied to a greater market potential, which was previously expensive and labour intensive to produce.
The early 1980’s were a difficult time in the textile industry primarily due to the recession; however, Sharps maintained and increased its market share by focusing on the technology of the rotary printing methods and developed a respect for innovation and production of high quality prints.
During 1994 Sharps exploited another area of textile printing with the introduction of a Klieverik transfer-printing machine. This allowed further areas of the market to be served, particularly applicable to synthetics. This complimented the current printing methods and allowed the business to offer services to a wider audience.
Sharps have continued by being proactive in design and printing by producing a strong product across a wide variety of fabrics and across a broad market base. The main emphasis being on collaborating with customers on all aspects of the specification, quality, design and pricing.
The Leeds Group plc purchased the business in September 1987; they have offered the business to the management team through an MBO.
Digital paper printing introduced
2014, working in partnership with Sabur Digital Print Solutions, Sharps introduced the new digital sublimation printing service using carefully selected equipment for quality and confidence.
In house paper printing, design and colouration allow us to react to fast turnaround times. A sustainable and environmentally friendly process with use of electric power and recycled waste. The progression of the digital print studio has been fundamental to our growth.
Our story
