A QUICK ROUND UP OF THE INNOVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES ON OFFER FROM HEADLINE SPONSORS AT THE FESPA GLOBAL EXPO
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It’s almost time for FESPA. The latest edition of FESPA Global Expo which takes place in Berlin from May 31st to June 3rd.
Here’s a quick roundup of the technologies and new product launches for 2022 – NOT TO BE MISSED - that will be on-site in Berlin.
FESPA Global 2022 has four major sponsors for their landmark event: Durst, Mimaki, Brother and HP.
Durst Group : Platinum Sponsor
Durst, the Italian based manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, will present its P5 wide format printing systems and software solutions at Fespa 2022 under the heading "Production Excellence”
As one of the largest exhibitors, with more than 800m2 exhibition space, Durst Group will also present the Vanguard printing systems for the first time in Europe.
With ‘Production Excellence’ Durst pursues a holistic solution to make your production cycle as efficient as possible, from pixel to output.
Their innovative printing systems convince in every printing environment with high flexibility and versatility and enable combined with the Durst Software solutions to get the maximum out of your printing production.
At FESPA Durst will present their latest innovations of the P5 platform and Vanguard Europe, offering individual live demonstrations and Software demonstrations.
"We are excited to showcase our comprehensive solutions for the LFP market at Fespa 2022," says Christian Harder, Vice President Sales, Durst Group. "We will be exhibiting a total of 6 printing systems, including a completely new development for super-wide printing, introducing Vanguard printing systems to Europe and highlighting new market opportunities with a label printing system. With Production Excellence, we are pursuing a holistic solution to make our customers' production cycle as efficient as possible. Accordingly, the flexibility and versatility of the printing systems as well as the integration and automation with Durst software solutions play a central role in our presentation."
HP Inc. : Gold Sponsor
HP will be showing the latest product innovations in large format printing at FESPA 2022 in Berlin at HP stand 25-A51 in hall 25.
HP’s vision is to create technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere — every person, every organization, and every community around the globe. “This motivates us — inspires us — to do what we do”.
The highlights include the products of the HP Latex 700/800 series, the HP Latex R2000, the HP PageWide XL family and the HP Designjet large format printers.
Of particular interest will be the R2000, which combines hybrid flexibity to deliver ink savings, automatic maintenance and high quality white prints across board or flexible media.
A key theme at this year's FESPA on the HP stand will be sustainability.
In addition, HP are a headline sponsor for the Sustainability Spotlight Feature, which debuts at the show, and which will show the way forward through a mix of lectures, Q+A sessions and displays. Sustainability is not only important for HP as a manufacturer but has for some time been of increasing importance in the discussions, planning and activities of print service providers and customers from various industries.
Each day on the HP booth at 11:00 am HP will be hosting a series of talks on Sustainability with industry experts and creative visionaries.
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Mimaki Europe : Gold Sponsor
With a host of new solutions released this year, FESPA 2022 will be the first opportunity for Mimaki to demonstrate there printers and cutters at an international event and further explain the many benefits they offer sign and textile printing companies.
Standout technology on show includes the new 330 series, consisting of the JV330-160, the CJV330-160 and the TS330-1600.
Launched during the company’s Global Innovation Days event, the 330 Series leverages Mimaki’s cross-platform strategy, to offer a high-end yet cost effective printing solution across several sectors.
The JV330-160 and CJV330-160 eco-solvent inkjet printers boast innovative features such as the new media changer that allows three rolls of media to be loaded simultaneously, and the XY slitter, which provides in-line X-axis and Y-axis sheet-fed cutting.
The TS330-1600, which will make its international tradeshow debut at FESPA, is a sublimation printer with an improved take-up system and optional add-ons to further increase efficiency, including a 10kg ink tank supply unit and a mini jumbo roll unit.
Additionally, FESPA visitors will see Mimaki’s all new CG-AR cutting plotter, which goes above and beyond the current entry-level technology available in this area.
In line with FESPA 2022’s tagline, ‘Experience print in motion’, Mimaki’s stand will bring an exciting vibrancy to the show, by demonstrating real-world applications alongside the machines that created them.
This year will see Mimaki’s stand convey the streets of Berlin in its design, and urban inspired works by designers, including Nicky Nahafahik and Xavier Protano, all printed using various Mimaki’s printing technologies and displayed on the stand - allowing visitors to experience Berlin from inside the Messe Berlin halls.
“FESPA 2022 is, as always, a fantastic opportunity for anyone and everyone, interested or invested, in the world of sign and textile printing. This year we’ve embraced FESPA’s theme of motion by bringing the hustle and bustle of city life to FESPA visitors – through the vibrant, urban-inspired prints from designers and the cutting-edge technologies that printed them. This together with the customer success stories in the gallery, are sure to inspire and make for an invaluable experience for visitors,” commented Danna Drion, EMEA General Marketing Manager at Mimaki Europe.
Brother : Gold Sponsor
On Brother’s 240m2 stand, attendees will see all printers from the GTX series, DTF printing, Embroidery (together with Brother’s sister company BSME) and their new software solution.
As a pioneer in Direct to Garment printing, Brother always seeks to bring new features and advanced technology to an industry that demands to be on the cutting edge.
But their history of supporting the garment industry dates back to their earliest days.
Their relatively recent merger of garment decoration and creation machinery with their sophisticated printing technology is simply the latest in long line of product introductions.
On view will be the Brother GTX600 DTG Printer equipped with four new industrial grade print heads, this machine offers high output per hour whilst maintaining the legendary 'Brother' quality and reliability. The white print heads have an internal ink re-circulation system to reduce wastage, along with new built-in cooling fans to allow for continuous print operation.
Brother DTG Direct to Garment Printer Inks are manufactured according to Brother's exclusive formulation to provide the best possible results.
These Direct to Garment Printer Inks are amongst the first to not only carry the Oeko-Tex® Certification, but also to be GOTS APPROVED and CPSIA compliant* to help ensure they are safe for printing and environmentally responsible.
FESPA Berlin offers an unrivaled opportunity to connect with the industry and to experience emerging technologies first-hand. We look forward to welcoming you….
Johannesburg – July – 2026 Experience the latest digital printing, vehicle wrapping and paint protection films at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Johannesburg Expo, where industry meets opportunity.
The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026.
Dorking – June 2026 – FESPA has called on print businesses worldwide to participate in its latest Print Census, as new findings reveal that automation is increasingly central to improving efficiency, reducing costs and unlocking fresh opportunities for growth across the industry.
The FESPA Print Census, one of the most comprehensive research initiatives in the global print community, gathers insights directly from businesses to establish meaningful industry benchmarks.
According to the latest data, companies are investing more heavily in automation to streamline production, drive down operational expenses and position themselves to seize emerging opportunities.
Barcelona – May 2026 – Mutoh Europe nv has been honoured with the prestigious EDP Award for Best Roll-to-Roll Printer under 170 cm for its cutting-edge MUTOH XpertJet 1681SR Pro.
The accolade, announced at the latest EDP Awards, recognises the company's relentless commitment to pushing the boundaries of print technology and delivering exceptional, sustainable value to the global signage industry.
The expert judging panel praised the MUTOH XpertJet 1681SR Pro, officially describing the system as "[a] breakthrough in price performance."
Sovisso-Veneto – Italia – May 2026 – B-FLEX has announced the launch of its highly anticipated special Direct-to-Film (DTF) adhesive powders, to be officially unveiled at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 in Barcelona.
This strategic release underlines the company's commitment to continuous innovation, addressing pressing industry-wide issues such as dye migration and material adhesion to expand the possibilities of textile decoration for real-world production environments.
The newly introduced range includes the Anti-Migration DTF Powder, the Anti-Migration Black DTF Powder, and the Nylon and Coated Fabrics DTF Powder designed for high bonding.
Barcelona, Spain – April 2026 – Epson will present a comprehensive range of professional printing technologies at the Fespa Global Print Expo 2026, taking place in Barcelona from 19 to 22 May.
Located in Hall 3, Stand C75, the showcase will place a strong emphasis on forward-thinking textile production and UV printing solutions.
By bringing together dye-sublimation, direct-to-film, direct-to-fabric, signage, and UV printing, alongside advanced colour management and workflow tools, Epson aims to address the industry's pressing need for highly efficient, sustainable production methodologies.
Sovisso-Veneto – Italia – April 2026 –B-FLEX and Mimaki Europe have announced an enhanced collaboration ahead of the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 in Barcelona.
Following a rigorous testing phase, Mimaki Europe has officially selected B-FLEX’s premium Direct-to-Film (DTF) film and hot-melt powder for its live printing demonstrations during the event.
Sovizzo – Italy – April 2026 – Epson will showcase B-FLEX Direct-to-Film (DTF) film and hot-melt powder during live printing demonstrations at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 in Barcelona.
This collaboration highlights the intersection of advanced printing technology and real production performance, addressing the industry's urgent need for high-quality, efficient, and sustainable garment decoration solutions.
The partnership stems from rigorous ongoing testing and hands-on experience with B-FLEX DTF solutions.
Regensburg, Germany / Barcelona, Spain – March 2026 – OneVision Software AG has announced it will present its latest automated workflows and artificial intelligence technologies for wide format printing at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026.
Taking place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at the Fira Barcelona exhibition centre in Spain, the event will feature OneVision at booth 2-D28, where the software manufacturer will demonstrate how its forward-thinking solutions help print service providers optimise complex production processes, mitigate errors, and enhance operational efficiency.
London 19th March 2026 – Epson has been awarded the Platinum rating for sustainability by EcoVadis, one of the world’s most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings, for the second consecutive year.
This recognition places the technology leader in the top one per cent of more than 130,000 companies assessed globally, underscoring its authoritative and forward-thinking approach to environmental, social, and governance criteria.
Barcelona, Spain – March 2026 – Epson will return to the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 in Barcelona from 19 to 22 May 2026, inviting print service providers, garment decorators, and sign makers to discover its latest end-to-end printing solutions.
Located in Hall 3, Stand C75, the technology leader will showcase significant advancements in textile, dye-sublimation, Direct-to-Film, direct-to-fabric, signage, and UV printing, alongside workflow and colour tools designed to support profitable and sustainable production.
Democratizing Product Personalization with AI at FESPA Global Expo
Tel Aviv, Israel –Early.Vision a leader in apparel mass customization and on-demand manufacturing software solutions, announces significant innovations designed to revolutionize personalization workflows with AI.
At the upcoming FESPA Global Expo in Berlin, taking place from 6th to 9th May 2025 (Hall 2.2, Stand B24), Early.Vision will unveil ground-breaking advancements in workflow automation.
Colour Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
Print will always be the part of the garment people see first.
But the sum of all parts — the fabric, the trims, the fasteners, the finish — is what determines whether a design actually delivers on its promise. Brands that continue to treat colour as a single creative decision, rather than a coordinated technical discipline spanning their entire supply chain, will keep paying for it in re-dips, delays, and disappointed design teams.
A Century of Textiles, and an Ever-changing World
Few companies can trace their roots back more than a century and still count themselves among their industry's innovators. Texia, headquartered in Monistrol de Montserrat, Spain, is one of them.
But the story of Texia is not simply one of longevity.
It is a story of continual reinvention. As the textile industry has grown more global and competitive, Texia has repeatedly reshaped its business, investing in technology, developing its own brands, and placing sustainability at the centre of its mission. In doing so, it offers a compelling example of how a heritage manufacturer can lead rather than follow through a period of profound industry change. Image Credit: Texia
What are we craving Ultimately?
The instinct to slow down while simultaneously optimising every measurable aspect of life isn't a passing curiosity. It's a structural response to a world that feels increasingly unstable, and it's reshaping what people expect from their homes, hotels, workplaces and healthcare environments alike.
For the design and manufacturing sectors, this means rethinking both product and process.
The Structual Shift is Real and its Already Here
Volumes are moving east, where digital production is accelerating rapidly. Consumer behaviour has shifted.
Demand is now driven by personalisation, shorter buying cycles, and an expectation of near-instant responsiveness. Regulatory pressure is intensifying, with supply chain transparency now a legal and commercial fact in many markets. And margins? They are under sustained, structural pressure.
This is not a temporary disruption. It is a fundamental reordering of how textile manufacturing must operate.
The Challenge: Standing Firm as the Industry Shifts
The wallpaper landscape has changed dramatically. Digital printing has lowered the barrier to entry, spawning countless direct-to-consumer brands and pushing much of the market towards faster, cheaper production.
At the same time, manufacturing in the UK has grown steadily harder - rising minimum wage, national insurance, energy and substrate costs all bear down on margins. Surface Print have embraced all of these challenges - and stand resolutely prepared for the future.
From Helsinki's printing mill to Paris's Le Marais, discover how Marimekko is scaling a design-led brand with purpose, craft, and bold innovation.
But what makes Marimekko's story compelling is not just its aesthetic legacy?
The word "toxic" carries weight. It conjures danger, harm, and things best avoided.
“Yet in the textile industry - Where between 3,000 and 10,000 chemicals move through the supply chain, a reflexive fear of the term is one of our biggest obstacles to progress.”
This article distils the key takeaways and what buyers, designers, and brands should be asking right now.
What Is the Digital Product Passport?
At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product - For a printed textile product, this means the DPP would capture data on the substrate, inks and dyes used, the printing process and technology, chemical compliance, environmental impact (including water and energy use), supply chain traceability, and end-of-life instructions.
The Market Gap that Changed Everything
Future Fashion was founded in 2019, timed deliberately to coincide with a pivotal moment in global textile technology: the commercial launch of the EFI Reggiani BOLT Single-Pass digital printing system.
The founders recognised that single-pass architecture had fundamentally changed what was industrially possible - and that Pakistan's domestic market had yet to catch up.
Print is no longer defined by the inefficiencies that once characterised it…as advances in production processes and technology have significantly improved its environmental performance.
Taran Rai, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Epson explains why?
The story of what happens when young designers access digital technology is still being written.
What once was a theoretical sustainability goal seems to have shifted into an active regulatory reality.
Is the Textile Market Finally Recovering?
After a difficult few years, there are genuine reasons for optimism. Duncan was candid about the challenges: "The market for textiles has been very difficult over the last three years. I'm not going to hide the truth there. But the tide is turning.“
A profound shift is currently reshaping the sector
Changing consumer expectations demand greater design diversity, faster turnaround times, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
To thrive, interior brands must adapt their supply chains, bringing production closer to the end consumer and moving away from bulk manufacturing.
Digital textile printing offers a definitive solution to these operational bottlenecks.
Digital transformation doesn't announce itself.
It accumulates - one innovation at a time - until an entire industry looks back and realises the ground has shifted beneath its feet. That's precisely where textiles stands today.
The conversations happening now about AI, automation, sustainability, and digital product passports are not theoretical. They are shaping decisions being made on factory floors and in boardrooms right now.
“By leveraging advanced digital textile printing, Marylene Madou has successfully merged traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Her approach offers a blueprint for how independent designers can scale their brands globally while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.”
The textile industry is undergoing a vital transformation. As the insights from Techtextil and Texprocess reveal, the path forward relies on a combination of sustainable hardware, intelligent chemistry, and seamless digital workflows.
From Zimmer's industrial-scale energy reductions and Stratasys's on-demand 3D embellishments, to Kornit's single-step technical printing and the unified digital ecosystems of NedGraphics and Optitex, the tools for change are here. To stay competitive, brands and manufacturers must adopt these innovations, moving away from fragmented, wasteful processes towards a truly connected, circular economy.
Friedmans stands as a testament to the power of combining traditional textile knowledge with forward-thinking innovation.
“Operating from their UK headquarters, Friedmans now serves a diverse array of sectors, including swimwear, dance, entertainment, sportswear, interior decor, prosthetics, and even pet apparel. With a strategic supply chain that reliably serves clients worldwide”
The apparel decoration industry is decisively moving away from isolated, analogue production tools toward connected digital manufacturing environments.
"Kornit’s unwavering commitment to transformative technology continues to disrupt the status quo. For business leaders and innovators ready to capture the future of apparel manufacturing, the path forward is clear”
The Urgent Need for Sustainability at Scale
The transformation at Coats provides a vital blueprint for the wider textile and apparel sector. True sustainability cannot be achieved in silos. As Dearing emphasised:
“Cross-industry collaboration is the engine of meaningful change. Brands, machinery suppliers, chemical providers, and fibre producers must act as an interconnected ecosystem”
Today’s customers demand superior product quality, real-time data visibility, and lightning-fast turnaround times.
For large-scale garment decorators, managing these expectations while balancing seasonal demand fluctuations - such as the massive surges seen during Black Friday - presents a monumental challenge.
"Relying on transactional vendor relationships and outdated legacy equipment is no longer sufficient to secure long-term stability and growth.”
Printing method is never a secondary detail. It shapes the entire life cycle of a product, from concept to customer. In today’s fashion industry, where margins are tighter and speed matters more than ever, technical knowledge has become a competitive advantage.
“The future of textile design belongs to professionals who can combine creativity with execution, aesthetics with practicality, and vision with production reality”.