HIGH SPEED INDUSTRIAL DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING - FUTURE FASHION (PVT) OF PAKISTAN - SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION ON DEMAND
“Future Fashion itself is based on Sustainability. The vision behind the emergence of Future Fashion was to provide high quality textile printing and processing services to the brands of Pakistan. The new company will also encourage new business. We have installed the latest technology and offer the market a sustainable solution that’s kind to the environment and our local eco-system.” - Rana Muhammad Imran Afzal, General Manager of Future Fashion.
WRITTEN BY FESPA TEXTILE AMBASSADOR DEBBIE MCKEEGAN
Future Fashion is the largest digital textile printing company in Pakistan. Founded in 2019, the Company is equipped with the latest single pass digital printing machinery, including the EFI Reggiani (BOLT).
In fact, this machine, purchased at ITMA in 2019, was the first installation for this ground-breaking technology and marks a moment in time for the adoption and acceleration of industrial scale textile production machinery in South Asia.
The company also utilises another 6 digital scanning printers, 4 by MSItaly and 2 from AtexCO China. Printed production is supported for Pre and Post finishing by state-of-the art European technology.
It often a false assumption of the West that the majority of the printed meterage manufactured in Southern Asia is destined for our shores. That’s not always the case. Pakistan represents a huge home market and one that absorbs many 100’s of millions of metres of printed textiles for its own population, particularly fashion. In fact, this case study reflects just that – on shore production. A major investment in on-demand digital technology for the markets within Asia. That’s not to say that the volumes of South Asian print destined and exported for the West are insignificant, that would be incorrect, but for Future Fashion (Pvt) Ltd currently Asia is the main market for their digitally printed textiles.
In this interview we talked with Rana Muhammad Imran Afzal, General Manager of Future Fashion.
With a background in traditional, analogue technology and years of experience with digital machinery throughout his career, he took the role of GM with overall responsibility for printed production and was instrumental in the projects execution. Imran explained “Our parent company Hunbultex, is the largest digital production company in Pakistan with 22 scanning printers, most of them from EFI Reggiani”.
“Planning for the new venture, Future Fashion, began at the launch of the EFI Reggiani (BOLT) in 2019. A single-pass machine from our trusted partner EFI. Hunbultex was the first company in the world to buy the BOLT. The new company FF is equipped with one BLOT and 6 Scanning printing machines (MSItaly and AtexCo China).”
“The project was signed off in mid 2019 and took approximately 9 months to complete the build and installation of the machinery for pre and post finishing and digital textile printing. COVID caused a number of delays, but overall, this was an impressive achievement is such a small timescale”.
Future Fashion now produced 25 to 30 million linear metres of digitally printed textiles in one calendar year with their primary market being Pakistan’s fashion industry.
Imran explained further “We are providing commercial printing services to top local brands which also have stores abroad as well. We are also providing printing services to international sourcing offices who are exporting their goods to the USA and EU.”
Future Fashion only offers digital production, with no analogue/rotary technology. Imran commented “On the basis of my experience working in conventional and digital textile printing companies, I believe there is a significant split in the benefits for both methods of print. Digital productions are more precise, no limits on colours or design repeats. No wastage or issues with design registration. Digital production is labour efficient, needs less power and other utilities. Importantly it is sustainable and environmentally efficient in its use of valuable resources, such as water. On the other hand – Rotary production has a better colour yield, especially for solid grounds and blotches.”
“The future definitely belongs to digital, with the successful introduction of single pass machines - the quality issue has been resolved. In my opinion, when digital pigment inks are kinder to ink heads and are cost effective, then huge quantities of blended fabrics for Home Textiles will be shifted to the digital printing system, which I believe will be a revolution.”
We asked Imran why now was the right time to switch to digital production in Pakistan?
“As Pakistan is one of the top 5 countries in the world for cotton production, mainly exporting to global markets, it also has a huge local population of 250 million. This was the right time for Hunbultex to invest and in our digital production facilities, our investments in modern technology continue to secure the future of the countries printed Textile Industry. Many companies in Pakistan are following these steps and growing”.
How have your customer’s needs changed? What is the typical lead time for printed fabric in 2022?
“Interesting question – The needs of our customers have changed dramatically. Their expectations are high. Thanks to our investment in the BOLT single pass technology, we have been able to reduce MOQ’s and offer our customers a variety of designs. Lead times vary from company to company, Future Fashion has the capacity to print 100,000m of Cotton and Viscose fabrics daily and 6500m for Polyester. We offer 15 days delivery worldwide.”
Do you see a greater diversity in the patterns printed, with new designs building total meterage, rather than traditional volume meterage using single pass printing machinery?
“Digital printing has diversified the printed patterns immensely. With the single pass machines, MOQ’s have changed. The same quantities can be printed with more designs, and we can also mix SKU’s in the print run to include panel prints. In turn this has created a huge demand for designs, which has created a lot of jobs for creative designers and pre-press professionals”.
With ready access to on-demand printing we asked Imran if the fashion industry is serious about sustainable manufacturing, and will they accept that change requires a collaboration on margins between vendors/suppliers?
“They have to be serious and in fact they are, because I believe the biggest benefiters of all aspects of digitization, printing and processing - are the Fashion Industry. The future is sustainability, with unpredictable economic and environmental issues around the world – only sustainable manufacturers will survive. Fashion brands must also work on margins, and they must reset priorities. Digital printing has given new opportunities to small businesses allowing them to grow, customisation is in my view a big threat to brands.”
Imran added: “Future Fashion itself is based on Sustainability. The vision behind the emergence of Future Fashion was to provide high quality textile printing and processing services to the brands of Pakistan. The new company will also encourage new business. We have installed the latest technology and offer the market a sustainable solution that’s kind to the environment and our local eco-system.”
Future Fashion has set a new benchmark for all industrial Textile printers worldwide.
This futuristic vision and their substantial investment in digital technology (during the hard times of COVID) has ensured that they are equipped to succeed. Transforming Pakistan’s textile heritage to meet the needs of new era of sustainable textile production. We look forward to celebrating their continued success.
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Las Vegas, NV – August 2026 – Durst Graphics has announced its participation in PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place from 23–25 September in Las Vegas.
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Visitors can find Durst Group at Booth C1614, where the P5 Series will be on live display.
The showcase will highlight the practical applications of three flagship systems: the P5 350 CORE, the P5 350 HS, and the P5 350 HSR —
Lewisville Tx – August 2026 – Antigro Designer has announced the successful integration of its Sticker Builder tool into the Decals On Demand product page, operated by KRP Group USA.
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Birmingham, UK – August 2026 – Epson UK & Ireland has announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Print Award for Best Wide Format Project at this year's The Print Show, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 29 September to 1 October 2026.
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Frankfurt, Germany – 4 August 2026 – Heimtextil, the world's leading international trade fair for home and contract textiles, has announced the launch of 'Comfort & Connect', a new dedicated area for high-quality bed, bath and lifestyle collections.
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Dorking – UK – August 2026 – The FESPA Awards 2027 are set to open for entries, inviting print and signage professionals from around the world to showcase their finest work on the industry's most prestigious global stage.
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London – UK – August 2026 – Vivid Technologies has announced that its flagship product, Razar, has been shortlisted in the Manufacturing category of the prestigious Stationers' Innovation Excellence Awards 2026.
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Clay Cross – August 2026 – Resolute DTF has announced it will take a prominent stand at The Print Show 2026, held at the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
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Regensburg, Germany – August 2026 – OneVision has announced the release of software version 26.2, marking a significant step forward in intelligent print automation.
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SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – August 2026 – Sun Chemical has announced that its Xennia Sapphire pigment inks for digital textile printing have received three of the industry's most sought-after regulatory certifications: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), ECO-PASSPORT, and ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals).
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London UK – July – 2026 – British digital fabric printing company Prinfab has been commissioned to produce a commemorative tea towel to celebrate the landmark birthday of iconic English fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
Manchester – August 2026 – Premier Digital Textiles today highlights its 2555 Dimout, a versatile, dual-purpose fabric designed to bridge the worlds of fashion and interior design.
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Oswestry – Shropshire – August 2026 - Fujifilm Ink, the UK-based global supplier of UV inkjet technology, has strengthened its partnership with China Print Supplies UK Ltd (CPS), becoming the recognised ink supplier for the company's range of Dlican UV printing systems.
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Birmingham, UK – July 2026 – swissQprint UK is set to exhibit at The Print Show 2026, taking place from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC in Birmingham, Great Britain.
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Paris, France – August 2026 – Optitex and NedGraphics will present their integrated design and manufacturing solutions at Première Vision Paris, taking place from 1st to 3rd September 2026 at Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte, France.
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Emmerich am Rhein, Nordrhein-Westfalen – August 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA has announced the launch of its GTX300, a hybrid direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) garment printer that the company says sets a new benchmark for textile print quality.
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Geretsried, Bavaria, August 2026 – RUDOLF, a leading textile chemistry company, has announced the launch of its Summer Campaign, a dedicated series exploring advanced finishing technologies designed to enhance the performance, comfort, and protection of swimwear and summer apparel.
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Frankfurt, Germany – August 2026 – Heimtextil, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, has announced the launch of the Italian Lounge, a dedicated exhibition space celebrating Italian craftsmanship at its 2027 edition.
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Pembrokeshire, Wales – August 2026 – National Weaving, a family-owned textile manufacturer with nearly four decades of experience, was honoured to receive a visit from HRH The Princess Royal, President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), at its Pembrokeshire facility.
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PHILADELPHIA – July 2026 – PRINTING United Alliance, in partnership with The Foundation for Graphic Communication Education (The FGCE), continues to expand its popular Student Day experience at PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place Thursday, September 24, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Dublin, Ireland – July 2026 – digitalprint.ie, Ireland's trusted supplier of wide format printing equipment and media, has completed the delivery and installation of two Epson SureColor S9100 printers to long-standing customer iGraphic, based in Newtownards.
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Arhus – Denmark – July 2026 – Mikkelsen Innovation ApS has announced that its FASTSEWN™ 3.3M has been named the recipient of the 2026 Pinnacle Award in the Technology category by PRINTING United Alliance.
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Barbieri electronics is strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for its next phase of development.
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Altrincham – Cheshire – July 2026 - Friedmans Ltd and Funki Fabrics have announced the arrival of new print designs, expanding their existing collection with a fresh range of trend-led prints available across a broad selection of premium fabric bases.
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Leicestershire - July 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies is pleased to announce that HG Graphics, a leading provider of building signage and vehicle wraps across Yorkshire and the UK, has invested in a fully integrated print and cutting solution combining the VelobladeNexus with the latest Onyx Graphics software.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2026 - RENNES, France—Pointcarre, the French American textile CAD company known for its jacquard and dobby weaving software, has developed a new module dedicated to wall to wall carpet and carpet tile design.
The launch addresses a gap left when APSO, the longtime CAD platform for the tufting industry, discontinued its software more than two years ago, leaving mills and carpet designers without a clear path forward.
Accrington, UK, July 29, 2026: Soyang Europe has expanded its direct-to-film (DTF) range with the launch of a paper-based transfer media that offers an environmentally conscious alternative to conventional PET transfer film.
Named Soyang DTF Paper, the new product is a single-sided release-coated transfer paper featuring anti-static treatment and a hot-peel release.
Designed for use with digital inkjet DTF printers running water-based pigment inks, the media can be recycled through standard paper waste streams, helping print businesses reduce plastic waste.
London – July 2026 – Perfect Colours, a leader in print management solutions, has highlighted the availability of Print Factory, a unified Raster Image Processor (RIP) designed to deliver consistent, high-quality colour output across multiple printers.
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Las Vegas, NV – July 2026 – Caldera, a leading provider of print workflow software solutions, has announced its participation in PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place 23–25 September 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Visitors can find Caldera at Booth C1469, where the company will showcase its latest innovations in print workflow automation, colour management, and apparel decoration.