Is your print business equipped for the future?

“The challenge for any print business operating in the textile ecosystem is to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. Success is no longer just about print quality; it’s about agility, efficiency, sustainability, and the ability to offer personalised products at scale. The traditional, water-intensive, and wasteful methods of the past are being displaced by a powerful digital ecosystem”.

Image Credit: EFI REGGIANI

Designers are increasingly drawn to work that feels real.

Marks that are not perfectly aligned, lines that wobble slightly, surfaces that feel considered rather than automated. These qualities bring warmth and personality, offering a balance to the precision of digital tools and AI. Print is no longer just about decoration.

The 2026 Surface Pattern Design Competition

The launch of the 2026 iDott Surface Pattern Design Competition marks another year of celebrating innovation. This year, the competition is supported by heavyweight sponsors from across the textile and wallcovering sectors, each presenting a brief that reflects current market demands and future trends.

The Middle East and North Africa hold a rich and storied heritage in textile production, with roots stretching back thousands of years. Known for its skilled craftsmanship, the region has long been a renowned for textile artistry.

Today, the region with a population of over 500 million, is once again positioning itself as a future leader in the adoption and development of cutting-edge manufacturing within the textile sector. With significant investment in digital printing solutions, automated production and an increasing commitment to sustainability, the region is redefining traditional practices while meeting the demands of evolving markets.

A Collective Push Forward

Looking back at 2025, the progress is undeniable. From the designers at GREENGRADS to the engineers at Epson, Fiery, and beyond, a collective of determined practitioners is driving real change.

We are witnessing the construction of new networks, the deployment of groundbreaking technologies, and a shared commitment to building a cleaner, more visible, and profitable textile industry.

Digitally printed wallcoverings represent the crossroads of design and technology. Once limited to traditional manufacturing process, creating mass-produced patterns, wallpaper design has undergone a digital transformation, enabling customisation, faster turnaround times, and reduced production waste.

Today’s consumers want their walls to stand out, and digital wallcoverings deliver just that. With bespoke designs, intricate printed 3D surface effects, patterns, and tactile materials the appeal is undeniable.

What makes this relationship unique is its foundation in shared problem-solving, rather than traditional supplier relationships. As Nakazato describes it: "We are both fashion designers and engineers, working together as a collaborative, experimental team..."

“Printing technology is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead requires both innovation and adaptability”

Digital garment decoration offers the print industry an accelerating commercial opportunity. It has become a core business segment driven by increasing demand for personalisation, quick turnaround times, and sustainability. Yet, with growth comes challenges. Rivera sheds light on how Fiery and Epson are partnering to not just address these challenges, but also lead innovation in this space.

"Advancements in printing technology are fundamentally reshaping creative Interior industries," says Debbie McKeegan, FESPA Textile Ambassador.

"The ability to implement intricate designs on traditional and unconventional materials is not merely a technical achievement - it is a catalyst for entirely new design methodologies and market opportunities. Paving the way for bold innovations in both functionality, durability and surface aesthetics.”

At the recent FESPA Smart Hub in Berlin, Industry leaders including experts Marc Verbeem from Mimaki, Joao Sa of ROQ,  George Benglopoulos of PolyPrint, and Jayson Tompkins of Stahls shared their insights into how smart manufacturing technology is reshaping the way printed apparel and textiles are produced. “Smart manufacturing is no longer the Future; It’s Today’s Necessity. Act now to keep your print operations ahead of the curve”

Debbie McKeegan, FESPA Textile Ambassador

Smart manufacturing is no longer a concept of the future but a tangible reality driving today’s textile industry. By leveraging print automation, predictive analytics, and sustainable practices, businesses have the opportunity to achieve operational excellence while meeting evolving consumer expectations.

If your business is ready to take the leap into smart manufacturing, consider partnering with technology providers who align with your vision of sustainability and smart solutions. The era of agile production is here, and now is the time to embrace it.

At FESPA 2025 in Berlin, Adobe made waves with the launch of its Adobe PDF Print Engine 7 update, stacked with significant applications to support the print industry, and offering a powerful suite of tools set to further enable the automation of many mundane functions that the printer must execute in printed production. Through advanced automation, enhanced colour management, and support for sustainable practices, Adobe Print Engine 7 sets a new benchmark for digital printing capabilities.

Fespa 2025 proved to be more than just a meeting point for industry leaders. It was a dynamic showcase of how innovation and application intertwine to push boundaries.

With personalisation and automation shaping the future and sustainability at its core, the print industry is poised to move into 2026 with purpose and confidence - Stay innovative, Stay competitive.

At Silana, the company co-founded by Michael Mayr, they have taken on an ambitious mission to revolutionise garment production with advanced robotics.

Their goal is both bold and necessary—to reimagine the way clothes are made while tackling long-standing challenges that have plagued the industry for decades. In our interview Michael shares his knowledge and insider insights (his family own one on the largest apparel retailers in Europe).

Michael is determined to change the landscape of sewn manufacture, and with a degree in engineering and fashion in his DNA - he's perfectly placed to enable change by automating sewn production.

• Limited Editions & Collaborations: Exclusive product launches and collaborations amplify demand while fostering brand loyalty.

• Event-Specific Apparel: Merchandise for conferences, sports events, and festivals continues to see steady growth.

• Global Markets Expansion: Regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America represent significant opportunities for growth due to increased online shopping adoption.

• Social Media-Driven Sales: TikTok and Instagram are critical platforms for marketing custom apparel, especially with their ability to showcase unique designs through visual storytelling….

The Power of the Hybrid Model

“The smartest screen printers aren’t abandoning what they know—they’re evolving with a hybrid approach. By blending digital and screen printing, you get the best of both worlds: the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of screen for high-volume runs, and the flexibility and responsiveness of digital for everything else”.

“A hybrid workflow optimizes production capacity, reduces waste, and allows you to say “yes” to more opportunities—whether it’s a 10-piece custom order or a 10,000-piece campaign”. - Brendan Mangan, Business Director DTG EMEA at Kornit Digital

The consumer desire for personalisation is more than just a trend; it’s a seismic shift in shopping behaviour. A survey by Deloitte revealed that up to 50% of consumers are interested in purchasing personalised products or services.

For ecommerce brands, this represents an enormous opportunity to not only meet demand but to create premium offerings that justify higher price points and strengthen customer loyalty.

The Changing Landscape of Fashion Design and Manufacturing: For decades, the apparel industry has relied on rigid supply chains and high-volume manufacturing to meet consumer demand. While this model delivered affordable fast-fashion, it came at a cost—overproduction, significant textile waste, and a lack of personalisation in what customers wear.

On-demand customisation offers a radically different approach. By leveraging digital design and printing technologies, brands can now create apparel tailored to individual tastes, produced only when needed.