The So-Tex range comprises 12 product lines, suitable for dye-sublimation, UV and latex printing, all of which are available in rolls of up to 3.2m wide.

Soyang Europe managing director Mark Mashiter said that the launch of the So-Tex range was driven by the trend towards the use of soft signage, particularly in retail point-of-sale, adding that it would not affect Soyang's distribution deals for the Endutex and Aurich Textilien ranges.

"We have established customers who use the products from our European partners," said Mashiter. "The So-Tex launch is about giving people more choice because there are certain products that we do that our partners don't do."

He cited the example of a So-Tex soft-feel backlit material that has an acrylic coating on the back of the material that acts as a diffuser and prevents any of the LEDs "pinholing through the textile".

The So-Tex range includes knitted and woven fabrics, which, due to being manufactured in China, are cheaper "for certain types of application". Soyang Europe holds 1.3m sqm of stock at its European warehouse and distribution hub.