Durst NEXT and Why the Future of Textile Print Belongs to Those Who Innovate Now
The future of print is not something that will happen to us. It is something we must create - together.
“What does it mean to truly lead an industry through transformation? Not to follow trends, not to react to disruption - but to architect it? That question hung in the air at the Durst NEXT Technology Festival in Brixen, Italy, this June, as Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group, took to the stage…”
WRITTEN BY FESPA TEXTILE AMBASSADOR DEBBIE MCKEEGAN
What does it mean to truly lead an industry through transformation? Not to follow trends, not to react to disruption - but to architect it?
That question hung in the air at the Durst NEXT Technology Festival in Brixen, Italy, this June, as Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group, took to the stage and delivered one of the most compelling keynotes I have witnessed in years.
The room was filled with print professionals, technologists, and industry innovators. But what unfolded wasn't simply a product showcase or a corporate vision statement. It was a call to rethink everything we believe about the future of print.
Durst Is Not a Print Company Anymore - And That's the Point
Christoph Gamper made no attempt to soften this message. Under his leadership, Durst - long regarded as a global leader in high-end industrial inkjet printing and production technology - has undergone a profound and deliberate reinvention. The company is no longer positioning itself as a manufacturer of printing machines. It is positioning itself as a globally connected, AI-driven technology enterprise. This is not semantics. It is strategy.
"We are a technology company that happens to produce printing systems," Gamper conveyed with characteristic clarity. The distinction matters enormously. A printing company optimises for today's output. A technology company builds for tomorrow's possibilities. And Durst, it is clear, is firmly in the latter camp.
For those of us embedded in the textile and print industries, this reframing carries significant weight. If one of the sector's most venerable names is pivoting its entire identity towards AI and connectivity, the industry at large can no longer afford to treat digital transformation as a distant priority.
The Convergence of AI and Industrial Print
Central to Gamper's keynote was the role of artificial intelligence - not as a buzzword or a bolt-on feature, but as the foundational layer upon which the next generation of print production will be built.
Durst's vision articulates AI as an enabler across every dimension of the production workflow:
Predictive maintenance: Machines that anticipate failure before it occurs, dramatically reducing downtime and maintenance costs
Intelligent colour management: AI systems that self-calibrate and ensure consistency across production runs, regardless of scale or substrate
Automated workflow optimisation: Removing human bottlenecks from repetitive decision-making, freeing operators to focus on higher-value tasks
Real-time production analytics: Live data feedback loops that allow operators and managers to make informed decisions at the point of production, not after the fact
What struck me most was not the sophistication of these applications - impressive as they are - but the conviction with which Gamper delivered them. This was not speculative technology. These are systems being deployed, refined, and scaled across Durst's global customer base right now.
Connectivity as Competitive Advantage
A recurring theme throughout the keynote was the concept of the connected factory - or more precisely, the globally connected print enterprise. Gamper described a future already taking shape - in which individual production sites are nodes within a broader intelligent network, sharing performance data, optimising collectively, and responding dynamically to demand signals.
This vision has profound implications for print businesses of all sizes. The competitive advantage in the coming decade will not be determined solely by the quality of the machine on the floor. It will be determined by the quality of the data flowing through it, and the intelligence applied to that data.
For smaller print operations, this might sound daunting. But Gamper was clear: the democratisation of AI tools means that the barriers to entry are falling. The question is not whether your business can afford to embrace this technology. It is whether you can afford not to.
Sustainability as a Non-Negotiable
To his credit, Gamper did not allow innovation to overshadow responsibility. A significant portion of his address was devoted to Durst's sustainability commitments and the broader obligation of the print industry to address its environmental footprint.
The message was unambiguous: sustainability is not a marketing position for Durst. It is embedded within the engineering philosophy of its products. From reduced ink consumption through AI-optimised print heads, to lower energy usage across production systems, and a commitment to circular thinking in manufacturing - Durst is treating ecological responsibility as a design principle, not an afterthought.
This matters for the industry at large. Brands are under mounting pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to demonstrate genuine environmental progress across their supply chains. Print and textile production sit squarely in the crosshairs. Companies that can demonstrate sustainable credentials - backed by measurable data - will hold a significant commercial advantage in the years ahead.
What the Industry Must Take Away from Durst NEXT
Attending this festival, I was struck not only by the technology on display, but by the cultural posture of Durst as an organisation. There was no complacency in that room. There was urgency, curiosity, and an almost restless appetite for what comes next.
That is the posture the entire print and textile industry must adopt.
We are at an inflection point. The convergence of AI, connectivity, sustainability, and advanced inkjet technology is not a future scenario - it is the present reality for those willing to engage with it. The businesses that thrive over the next decade will be those that:
Invest in digital infrastructure - not just hardware, but the data and connectivity layers that give machines intelligence
Build AI literacy within their teams - understanding how AI tools can be applied to their specific workflows and challenges
Treat sustainability as strategy - not compliance, but competitive differentiation
Stay curious - attending events like Durst NEXT, engaging with technology partners, and refusing to be satisfied with the status quo
The Future of Print Is Being Written Now
Christoph Gamper closed his keynote with a sentiment that has stayed with me since leaving Brixen. The future, he reminded us, does not arrive fully formed. It is built - decision by decision, investment by investment, by those bold enough to act before the path is entirely clear.
The Durst Group is building that future. And they are inviting the rest of the industry to build alongside them.
For print professionals everywhere, the message from the Durst NEXT Technology Festival is clear: the window for passive observation has closed. The time for innovation is now.
Be inspired. Embrace the tools available to you. And have the courage to reinvent what your business can become.
The future of print is not something that will happen to us. It is something we must create - together.
Debbie McKeegan is the Fespa Textile Ambassador, and CEO of Texintel, a leading intelligence and innovation platform for the textile and print industries.
She was invited as a guest and to moderate "The Textile Reset" Panel discussion at the Durst NEXT Technology Festival, Brixen, Italy, June 2026. A full review of that panel discussion will follow.
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.”
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 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”.
Are we witnessing the reinvention of Merch driven by adaptive, digital technologies?
The commercial opportunity presented by printed, personalised merchandise is already a lucrative revenue stream; it is the core driver of growth in a multi-billion-pound industry. And the mandate for print businesses is clear: automate, adapt, and offer undeniable added value, or choose to gradually lose market share.
Powderless DTF is an important area of innovation. It deserves research, investment, and thoughtful development.
“But at its current stage, it often feels like the industry is attempting to commercialize the concept ahead of the underlying chemistry and system readiness”.
All Apparel Manufacturers face an Urgent Mandate: “Automate or be Left Behind”.
Industry leaders like Super Nova Sports and Ryozo International were struggling with severe pre-press bottlenecks and unsustainable fabric waste. By integrating AI Sublimation Software into their workflows, these forward-thinking businesses eliminated manual variable data entry, boosted fabric efficiency to over 80%, and reduced delivery times by more than half, establishing a highly profitable, agile, and environmentally responsible production model.
The Future of Manufacturing belongs to those who Embrace Connected Digital Ecosystems
“Whether you produce garments, car interiors, or home furnishings, the transition from creative concept to production-ready product often remains fragmented. Design teams work tirelessly to develop compelling materials, yet technical teams struggle to interpret these visions without losing data along the way.”
The European digital wallcovering marketplace is expanding at an impressive rate.
“For print professionals and interior designers, this transition presents a distinct set of challenges. Achieving flawless colour consistency, managing complex substrates, and meeting stringent environmental standards are no longer optional extras; they are fundamental requirements for commercial success.”
Frankfurt, Germany – August 2026 – Heimtextil, one of the world's leading trade fairs for home and contract textiles, has announced its return to Messe Frankfurt GmbH from 12 to 15 January 2027.
The event will once again transform its iconic home base into a showcase of the finest in woven, stitched, and draped textiles, reaffirming its position as the definitive gathering point for the global textile industry.
Rooted in the philosophy that everything starts at home, Heimtextil's return to Messe Frankfurt is a celebration of origins — both for the fair itself and for the broader world of interior textiles.
Derby – Derbyshire – UK – August 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd is pleased to announce that EBI Creative Print (Easibind International Ltd) has acquired not one, but two Veloblade Nexus cutting systems, reinforcing its position as one of the UK's most comprehensively equipped print facilities.
The purchase was made in partnership with Soyang Europe.
Goyang-si, South Korea – August 2026 – BARBIERI electronics, a leading innovator in colour measurement solutions, is set to exhibit at K-Print Korea, where the company will demonstrate its flagship Spectro LFP qb spectrophotometer at Booth L502.
Cape Town – South Africa – August 2026 – NUtec Digital Ink has announced that its Quartz Q50-HYB UV-curable hybrid ink has been awarded GREENGUARD Gold Certification and is now listed in the UL Spot database.
The certification marks a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to developing high-performance ink solutions that meet the highest standards for environmental responsibility.
Tirana, Albania – August 2026 – Kridia ArtPrinting Solutions, an Albanian print and interior décor specialist, has announced its adoption of Roland DG's Dimense textured printing technology, positioning the company as the only provider of locally produced, custom embossed wallpaper in Albania.
By integrating the Dimense DA-640, the Dimense Module, and Roland DG Connect Designer into its production workflow, Kridia has significantly improved design efficiency, creative output, and turnaround times across its interior décor projects.
Echbolsheim – France – August 2026 – Caldera has announced that its Direct-to-Film software now supports the Brother DTRX100, one of the most advanced integrated direct-to-film (DTF) production systems available on the market today.
The development extends Caldera's growing portfolio of compatible DTF devices, offering print professionals greater flexibility in their choice of production hardware.
The Brother DTRX100 is a 32-inch roll-to-roll DTF printer engineered for high-volume, continuous production environments.
Rock Hill - SC – August 17, 2026 – SDL Atlas, a global leader in textile testing instruments, has announced the launch of the Vortex Elite, the most advanced instrument in its trusted Vortex series of AATCC Monograph wash testing equipment.
Building on the proven performance of the Vortex M6 and Vortex Plus, the Vortex Elite delivers high-precision, automatic dispensing of multiple liquid components, setting a new benchmark for accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency in textile wash testing.
Birmingham, UK – August 2026 – Epson has announced its participation in The Print Show and The Sign Show 2026, taking place from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC Birmingham.
Visitors to the Epson stand will have the opportunity to explore the company's latest professional printing technologies through live demonstrations, gaining direct insight into how UV, Direct-to-Film (DTF), dye-sublimation and signage solutions can unlock new revenue streams and support business growth.
Raleigh – NC – Aigust 2026 - North Carolina State University has been chosen to lead a 10-year Department of War initiative aimed at modernizing textile manufacturing in the United States to support the defense industry.
The FutureTEX award – which includes $36 million in its first year and has a ceiling of $480 million over a decade – brings together industry, government, university and nonprofit partners to advance manufacturing technologies of textiles for military and domestic applications.
London, UK – August 2026 – UK-based sign and graphics specialist Signs Express has successfully delivered a striking retail installation for the England World Cup Fanatics Shop Experience on London's iconic Carnaby Street, using a range of printable media and laminates from global adhesive media manufacturer Drytac.
Reken – Germany – August 2026 – FabricVision GmbH, a textile and fabric solutions company, has announced a significant operational milestone, marking nearly one year of intensive infrastructure development with the installation of a sign outside its warehouse facility.
While the sign itself may appear modest, it represents the culmination of a year defined by substantial investment and operational transformation
Mexico City, Mexico – August 2026 – HP Graphic Arts has announced its participation in FESPA Mexico 2026, taking place from 10–12 September at Centro Banamex, Mexico City.
The HP Large Format team will be on-site to present its latest advancements in HP Latex and HP DesignJet technologies, offering print professionals a firsthand look at the future of large format printing.
FESPA Mexico is one of Latin America's foremost events for the print and visual communications industry, drawing together professionals, partners, and businesses seeking to stay ahead of an increasingly competitive market
Bracknel – Berkshire - August 2026 – UFABRIK, a leader in high-performance textile solutions, today highlights one of its latest innovation: the UFabrik Opaque Textile ECO.
Engineered for retail, events, exhibitions, banners, and soft signage applications, this groundbreaking blockout textile sets a new standard for sustainable, high-quality print media.
The UFabrik Opaque Textile ECO has been developed to deliver ultimate colour reproduction with both UV and Latex inks.
SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – August 2026 – Sun Chemical, a leading producer of printing inks, coatings, and supplies, has announced its participation in the 27th International Advertising Industry and Digital Printing Technologies Exhibition, SIGN İstanbul.
The company will exhibit at Hall 5, Booth 5C09, where it will present its latest innovations across textile printing, graphics, and packaging solutions to industry professionals from across the region.
Soyang Europe has strengthened its hardware team with the appointments of Andy Webb as Commercial Director and Ian Windebank as Wide-Format Print Specialist.
Both join Soyang with immediate effect, bringing decades of combined experience across print technology, hardware sales, customer support and the wider print industry.
Milano, Italy – August 2026 – Viscom Italia, the leading international trade fair for visual communication and the sign industry, has announced that Hyper Personalisation 2.0 will be a defining theme at its upcoming 2026 edition.
The event will take place on 28th and 29th October at Allianz MiCo Milano, bringing together industry professionals to explore the technologies and trends reshaping the future of print and visual communications.
Hyper Personalisation 2.0 marks a significant evolution in how the printing industry approaches customer engagement
Liverpool – UK – August 2026 – Hobs Repro, the UK's largest independent print network, has selected Razar, produced by Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd, as part of its continued commitment to innovation and industry-leading service delivery.
The partnership marks a significant milestone for both organisations, bringing together two of the print industry's most forward-thinking names.
El Reno, Oklahoma – August 2026 – Trans-Tech, LLC, an AAR-M-1003 compliant railroad graphics manufacturer and the largest user of premium vinyl in the Southwest, has built its reputation on a straightforward promise: same-day railcar markings, every day.
Powered by a floor of over 20 Summa roll cutters, the El Reno-based company has upheld that standard for two decades, keeping North America's railcars compliant and on the move.
Hanover, Germany – August, 2026 – ColorGATE has announced its participation in the DIPA Workshop – Digital Manufacturing Toolbox, taking place on 15 September 2026 at Kursaal Stuttgart.
The half-day workshop, running from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, will bring together leading experts from across the digital manufacturing value chain ahead of Surface in Motion 2026.
Faversham – Kent - August 2026 – Prinfab, a UK-based print-on-demand textile company, has revealed how the industrial Monna Lisa ML-8000 printer sits at the heart of its high-quality, fast-turnaround production model.
By leveraging one of the textile industry's most advanced digital printing systems, Prinfab is removing the barriers that have long prevented independent designers and entrepreneurs from accessing commercial-grade fabric printing.
Nottingham – UK – August 2026 – Tennants UK, a specialist number plate manufacturer, has announced the installation of a second VeloBlade Nexus digital cutting system, significantly expanding its in-house production capabilities.
The investment is designed to meet growing demand from dealership groups, increase manufacturing capacity, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Spilsby, Lincolnshire,- August 2026 - Countryside Art, a producer of premium bags and kitchen textiles, has announced its commitment to printing exclusively onto 100% cotton across its entire product range.
Central to this commitment is the Mimaki TX330, a high-performance textile printer that delivers the colour consistency and vibrancy that both the brand and its customers demand.
Green Bay, Wis. — August 2026 — BW Converting will introduce textile manufacturers to the capabilities of its Baldwin TexCoat® G4 precision spray finishing system at the 33rd Apparel Sourcing Show, taking place Aug. 18–20 at the Tikal Futura Convention Center in Guatemala City.
The company will participate through its local agent, Maprimaq, at booths 25 and 26.
Soyang Europe, a leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media, surface coverings and advanced print production hardware solutions, has underlined its long-term commitment to its partnership with Platinum Technologies LIYU by making a major investment in new customer facilities and technical expertise.
Frankfurt am Main – August 2026 – Heimtextil, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, is set to reveal its highly anticipated Trends 27/28 forecast in a digital live premiere on 7 September 2026 at 14:00 (CEST).
Developed in collaboration with the internationally recognised design platform Alcova, the event will explore one of the most defining tensions in contemporary living: the home as both a space for performance and a place of retreat.
Nanjing – China - August 2026 - The company’s integrated solution portfolio combines digital printing equipment, high-performance printing consumables, and workflow integration to help print providers improve production efficiency across DTF, UV, and sublimation applications.
Driven by shorter production runs, growing demand for personalized products, and increasing sustainability requirements, the printing industry is transitioning from traditional analog production toward more intelligent and integrated digital manufacturing systems.
Hanrun Paper, a global digital printing solutions provider, helps drive this transformation by integrating hardware, consumables, and production workflows into a more connected, efficient, and flexible digital manufacturing ecosystem
Leicester – UK – August 2026 - VeriVide Limited, a leading authority in colour assessment and quality control, has announced the availability of the NCS Exterior Fan Deck, a comprehensive colour tool designed specifically for outdoor environments.
Comprising 322 carefully selected colours, the Fan Deck is tailored for professionals working across architecture, landscaping, property development, and exterior product manufacturing.
Dorking UK – August 2026 – The FESPA Foundation has announced a landmark initiative to unite the global print community under a shared commitment to education, sustainability, and meaningful social impact.
Guided by its "Print for Good" principle, the Foundation is calling on industry stakeholders worldwide to contribute to a movement that positions print as a force for lasting, positive change.
Telford, UK – August 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd today features the availability of the Graphtec CE8000-130 1300mm Vinyl Cutter Plotter, a high-performance cutting solution designed to meet the demands of the sublimation, sign writing, and sticker and label creation markets.
Priced at £3,495.00 + VAT and backed by a one-year warranty, the CE8000-130 represents a significant step forward in cost-effective cutting plotter technology.
Gaziantep, Turkey – August 2026 – Zimmer Austria, in partnership with ERA, is continuing its installation of a Colaris machine at Plato Halı, one of Turkey's leading carpet manufacturers.
This marks the 13th Colaris machine to be installed in Gaziantep, with mass production expected to commence shortly.