UP AND COMING TALENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE EPSON DESIGN AWARDS 2022 - WE INTERVIEW SOPHIE WANTIA LAST YEARS WINNER
“I’ve always wanted to combine different print techniques, so this was a perfect opportunity to start doing this. I think the printed fabrics produced by Epson last year where really beautiful and beyond my expectations, I loved the quality of the printed colours. I was very honoured to have won the dye-sublimation printer, the Epson Design Awards, and to be able to start exploring the possibilities with digital textile printing.” commented Sophie Wantia.
Epson Design Awards 2022 | DATE: 15 NOVEMBER 2022 | LOCATION: LAB1 IN EINDHOVEN | START SHOW: 20:00
Printer manufacturer Epson and fashion innovator LABELEDBY. organise once again this year, the Epson Design Awards. The award show in which talented designers can show their creativity to a larger audience.
The submitted designs will be judged by a professional jury and can be admired in a dazzling runway show during the week of the GLOW Festival in Eindhoven. The award winner will receive an Epson SureColor SC-F500 dye sublimation printer as a gift.
"The first edition of the Epson Design Awards was so successful that we decided to take an even bigger approach this year," says Emile Schmeits, marketing manager at Epson Netherlands. "The awards are intended to help young, enthusiastic designers get their work to the attention of a larger audience.”
“We saw last year how well that worked. At the same time, we want to introduce the next generation of fashion designers to a sustainable, small-scale and on-demand way of printing fabrics."
Last years Epson Design Awards winner Sophie Wantia created a dazzling collection of powerful fashion prints using Epson SureColor technology.
“I’ve always wanted to combine different print techniques, so this was a perfect opportunity to start doing this. I think the printed fabrics produced by Epson last year where really beautiful and beyond my expectations, I loved the quality of the printed colours. I was very honoured to have won the dye-sublimation printer, the Epson Design Awards, and to be able to start exploring the possibilities with digital textile printing.” commented Sophie Wantia.
A talent creative, Sophie’s work and innate practical creativity shone through in her stunning apparel designs. “As a designer I like to think about sustainability and the purpose of what I'm making? Why would I be making this? Does the market need more of that?” Sophie added. She creates her patterns using physical and digital process, and plays with dye sublimation technology, printing onto transfer paper, then using a heat press to create bold, collage style printed fabric designs. Sustainability is also of great importance, and she tries to use recycled and dead-stock fabrics wherever possible. Sophie also designs and makes her own apparel garments.
Winning an Epson SureColor SC-F500 last year, Sophie has used the printer to develop her own eclectic designer brand.
“I always begin by considering - how to create something that is actually of good value. A beautiful object that’s not just polluting and not just something extra again” Sophie explained, adding “My brand Studio Wantia is no longer just fashion. It's more a way of working to create something of value, in the both the physical and aesthetic sense. Something that adds playful optimism. It can be in fashion, but it can also now be something completely different.”
Sophie creates personalised products and like many of her generation, she shuns mass manufacture. Her work is curated and couture, every element of the design process and final product is carefully considered. She wants her products to be of great personal value to her clients and as such they become treasured items, objects with longevity.
Epson’s gift has also allowed Sophie to expand her business. Interior Décor is now part of her ensemble, and her clients can purchase custom printed, upholstered furniture and cushions. Here again Sophie’s unique eye for colour, form and balance ensures that every curve, be that of a body or a chair, is considered in the design process. Sophie creates artful objects with great flair and her creative journey continues to expand to explore new applications with her Epson SC-F500. We look forward to following her success.
The sky is the limit
Participants in the Epson Design Awards are completely free to design their creations. The final design can consist of, for example, one large dress, or an outfit that consists of several parts. Most importantly, participants let their unique personality, creativity and identity speak in the colours, prints and materials used.
Epson provides the participants with ten meters of textiles on which their self-designed design is printed with an Epson sublimation printer. Of course, the garment can be combined with other textiles or even other materials: the only condition is that it is wearable.
"At the Epson Design Awards, it's not just the result that counts, but the emphasis is on the manufacturing and production process," says Fabienne van der Weiden, co-owner of LABELEDBY. "It delivers unique creations and offers a stage to the talent of tomorrow."
The grand prize at the 2022 Epson Design Awards is an Epson SureColor SC-F500.
The creator of the winning design will receive an Epson SureColor SC-F500 worth 2,499.00 euros and a cash prize of 500 euros. A professional film will be made of all participants and the designs will be presented to the public in the week of the free light art festival GLOW in Eindhoven.
Date: 15 November 2022
Location: Lab1 in Eindhoven
Start show: 20:00
About Epson:
Epson is a global leader in technology, committed to connecting people, things and information using innovative, efficient, and compact precision technology. The company's product offerings range from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, timepieces and industrial robots.
Epson want to foster innovation and exceed their customers' expectations in inkjet, visual communication, wearables and robotics.
For more information, visit global.epson.com.
About LABELEDBY:
LABELEDBY. is a technological research and development agency in Eindhoven, which is engaged in the application of new technologies in the fashion world. Their innovations in materials, techniques and applications stem from practical experiments with fabrics, 3D printers and computers.
They are inspired by the design challenges in their assignments and collaborations and want to inspire others with the promising progression of fashion technology.
For more information, please visit: www.labeledby.com
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.
The installation, which required careful planning and specialist logistics to position both machines on a first-floor mezzanine, marks another milestone in a valued, ongoing partnership.
TOKYO, Japan, July 27, 2026 - Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") is proud to announce that its production facility, PT. Indonesia Epson Industry (IEI), has achieved Platinum recognition under the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Validated Assessment Program (VAP), based on audits conducted by RBA-approved independent third-party firms.
This achievement underscores Epson's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) within its global supply chain.
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – July 16, 2026 – Epson today announced it has garnered three coveted PRINTING United Alliance 2026 Pinnacle Product Awards for its industrial professional printing solutions.
The Pinnacle Awards are the printing industry’s most prestigious honor, celebrating exceptional products and technologies that advance quality, capability and productivity.
TOKYO, Japan, July 13, 2026 - Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") has expanded the applications of non-woven fabric sheet regenerated from used clothing and mill ends using its proprietary Dry Fiber Technology ("DFT").
Epson, in collaboration with YUIMA NAKAZATO and YKK Corporation, developed the new material for use in zipper tapes, further broadening its potential applications.
The resulting item was featured in INFERNO, the latest collection by YUIMA NAKAZATO, unveiled during Paris Haute Couture Week on July 8.
Watford – Hertfordshire - July 2026 – Epson UK today features the SureColor SC-G9000, its first high-production Direct-To-Film (DTF) printer built for businesses that demand greater output, higher reliability, and significantly less manual intervention.
The SC-G9000 is designed to challenge existing perceptions of DTF capabilities, combining industrial-scale productivity with an intuitive, largely automated user experience
Essen – Germany – July 2026 Epson has been named Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2026, recognising the company’s design approach across its product portfolio.
The award will be marked at the Red Dot Award ceremony in Essen, Germany, on 7 July, followed by an exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum that will run until 16 August and feature a selection of Epson products, including Red Dot award-winning designs.
The award places Epson’s design work on one of the industry’s most visible stages, highlighting how the company combines product performance, functionality and design.
Istanbul, Türkiye – July 2026 – Epson's Monna Lisa division made a significant mark at ITM 2026, showcasing its latest advancements in digital textile printing technology.
The exhibition served as both a product launch platform and a key opportunity for strengthening international business relationships across key growth markets, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt.
At the centre of Epson's exhibition stand was the Monna Lisa ML 32000, a high-performance digital textile printer featuring a sophisticated camera system and 16-colour ink channel technology.
Epson UK & Ireland today features its SureColor SC-S Series, the next generation of eco solvent printers designed to meet the evolving demands of the signage and display solutions industry.
The new series comprises three models—the SC-S7100, SC-S8100, and SC-S9100—each engineered to deliver superior print quality, faster output, and greater precision for professional printing applications.
The SureColor SC-S Series has been developed to address the full spectrum of signage and display needs, from point-of-sale materials and back- and front-lit billboards to wallpaper and vehicle wraps.
Castle Donnington – June 2026 – Xpres has announced the introduction of the Epson SureColor G9000, Epson's first high-production direct-to-film (DTF) printer.
Engineered for businesses that demand exceptional capacity and reliability, the G9000 is set to transform printing operations across the industry.
Ede : Netherlands June 2026 – Fashion designer Tess van Zalinge experienced the moment her digital designs transformed into vibrant printed fabric during a visit to Nauta Textile, where she witnessed first-hand the capabilities of Epson's Monna Lisa textile printing technology.
London, UK – June 2026 – Epson UK & I proudly extends its heartfelt congratulations to renowned design journalist and photographer Barbara Chandler MBE, following her recent recognition with an MBE for outstanding services to the design industry.
This prestigious accolade highlights her lifelong dedication to advancing design excellence and underscores the critical importance of fostering environmentally responsible practices within the creative sector.
Barcelona - 2026 – Premier Digital Textiles made a significant impact at FESPA 2026, partnering with Epson Europe B.V. to showcase the capabilities of its high-performance PrepRITE® Fabrics on the Epson Monna Lisa and SureColor print series.
The collaboration drew considerable attention from industry professionals, demonstrating what is achievable when advanced print technology meets precision-engineered fabric.
The partnership with Epson Europe provided an ideal platform to highlight the critical role that fabric selection plays in realising the full potential of digital textile printing.
Dublin, Ireland – June 2026 – digitalprint.ie, a trusted supplier of digital printing equipment and media to signmakers and printing companies across Ireland, has completed the preparation and delivery of an Epson SureColor S9100 wide-format printer to a Dublin-based customer.
The deployment marks another example of the company's commitment to ensuring clients are operational from the moment equipment arrives on-site.
Unlike a standard equipment delivery, Digitalprint.ie carries out comprehensive preparation, configuration, and testing of every printer before it leaves their warehouse.
Epson has announced its new LS-C SCARA robot series, with the LS4-C and LS8-C robots replacing the previous LS-B series models.
The updated range features a new design, higher payloads, faster cycle times and expanded configuration options for demanding industrial automation applications.
Building on the strengths of the LS-B series, the new robots offer enhanced functionality for manufacturers seeking greater flexibility, reliability and long-term system compatibility.
Anglesey – June 2026 Nova Chrome UK announced today its latest initiative to elevate the dye-sublimation printing industry by supplying the highly acclaimed Epson UltraChrome DS Ink.
This move aims to provide professionals with unmatched reliability and exceptional colour vibrancy while addressing the urgent need for sustainable and ethical production practices across the textiles, signage, and promotional products sectors
June 1st 2026 – Epson and Fiery have announced the launch of their upcoming "Think Big, Print Big" open days, scheduled to take place ON 16th, 17th, 18th June 2026 at the Epson Innovation Centre Lutterworth, Leicester, LE17 4HW.
The collaborative event will provide print professionals with an exclusive opportunity to explore cutting-edge software and hardware solutions designed to enhance productivity, unlock profit-boosting revenue streams, and champion sustainable printing practices.
Istanbul – May 2026 – Epson is set to redefine the future of industrial digital textile printing with the showcase of its latest Monna Lisa series at the upcoming ITM 2026 exhibition.
Located at Booth 508B in Hall 5, the technology pioneer will introduce a new era of fabric innovation, unveiling the highly anticipated ML-18000 alongside the advanced ML-32000JQ and the industry-leading ML-64000.
TOKYO, Japan, May , 2026 - Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") has been awarded the prestigious honorary title "Red Dot: Design Team of the Year" for 2026 at the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award competition organized by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany.
This award is used to recognize a design team that has proved itself through its consistently innovative, top-class design achievements and has set the highest standards of design quality.
Epson is only the second Japanese company to receive this honor since the award was first presented in 2000.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Essen, Germany, in July 2026.
TOKYO, Japan, May , 2026 -Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") has announced the continuation of its partnership with the FASHION FRONTIER PROGRAM 2026 ("FFP"), a program organized by YUIMA NAKAZATO LABORATORY Co., Ltd. that seeks to discover and support next-generation fashion designers.
The program is endorsed by Japan's Ministry of the Environment. Beginning in 2022, this partnership is now in its fifth year.
Under its long-term corporate vision "ENGINEERED FUTURE 2035," Epson aims to drive technological advances, engineer the optimal future, and deliver value to society.
Barcelona, Spain – May 20th 2026 – Epson is set to showcase its latest advancements in professional printing technology at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026.
Taking place in Barcelona, the event sees Epson demonstrating its commitment to industry innovation and sustainable production from Hall 3, Stand C75.
The comprehensive exhibition highlights major developments in direct-to-film, high-production dye sublimation, and UV flatbed printing.
Barcelona – May -2026 – At the upcoming exhibition at FESPA 2026 in Barcelona, Epson UK & I will demonstrate how advanced UV printing can help businesses secure new, sustainable revenue streams.
Located in Hall 3, Stand C75, the technology leader will showcase its latest developments in bespoke décor and premium signage.
TOKYO, Japan, May 14, 2026 - WWF and Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724,"Epson") today launched the second phase of their International Corporate Partnership.
Over the next three years, building on past collaboration, both organizations plan to strengthen their activities in support of "Nature Positive (*1)"—the international goal of halting biodiversity loss and shifting toward restoration by 2030.
This collaboration marked the first international corporate partnership between WWF and a Japanese company in the electronics and precision instruments sector.
Barcelona – May -2026 – Epson Europe B.V. has announced its upcoming exhibition at FESPA 2026, taking place from the 19th to the 22nd of May in Barcelona.
Located in Hall 3, Stand C75, the technology leader will showcase its latest developments in professional textile printing.
The exhibition aims to address the urgent, growing industry demand for short production runs, heightened personalisation, and significantly faster turnaround times in a rapidly evolving market.
SYDNEY – 7 May 2026 – Epson Australia has officially announced its participation as the digital print and projector partner of the Australian Fashion Council for Australian Fashion Week 2026.
Taking place from 11 to 15 May 2026 at the Museum of Contemporary Art and various venues across Sydney, the event will serve as a pivotal platform for Epson to celebrate and promote innovation and sustainable design within the fashion industry.
TOKYO, Japan - May 2026 – Seiko Epson Corporation has announced that its high-capacity EcoTank inkjet printers, including the ET-4950, ET-3950, and ET-2950 series, alongside the EW-M678FT, EW-638T, and L6360 models, have received the prestigious Best of the Best Award in the Product Design category at the 2026 Red Dot Design Awards.
This marks the seventh time Epson has achieved this elite distinction, which is bestowed upon only a fraction of all submissions, underscoring the company's position as an authoritative innovator in sustainable and user-centric technology.
London, UK – May 2026 – Epson today announces the SureColor SC-F20000, a groundbreaking 76-inch industrial dye-sublimation printer designed to help print service providers and sportswear producers accelerate high-volume output while championing sustainable, high-quality production.
The state-of-the-art machine will be showcased at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 in Barcelona, offering a powerful solution for the textile industry's urgent need for efficient, reliable, and ethically scalable manufacturing.
Barcelona, Spain – April 2026 – Barcelona-based textile company Rebés Tejidos has accelerated its transition to sustainable digital printing by integrating its third Epson Monna Lisa printer.
This strategic technological upgrade optimises production times, significantly reduces operational costs, and minimises the company's water footprint, all whilst maintaining the uncompromising quality and intricate design standards that define the brand.
Faversham – Kent – April 2026 – Prinfab, a leader in on-demand textile printing, has announced that Oliver Mustoe-Playfair and Harry Mustoe-Playfair will present at the upcoming FESPA exhibition in Barcelona this May.
The presentation will focus on the critical role of data in driving large-scale automation, demonstrating how connecting real-world operations through advanced software is reshaping the textile printing industry.
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.
Frankfurt, Germany – March 2026 – Epson has announced its participation in the upcoming Texprocess 2026 exhibition, taking place in Frankfurt from the 21st to the 24th of April.
Positioned prominently in Hall 8, Booth B20, the technology leader will present advanced, sustainable workflows for the finishing of textile and flexible materials, directly addressing the urgent industry need for more efficient and ethical production methods.
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.”
If you're looking to optimize your website for AI search, hang onto your cowboy hat. It's the Wild West out there. Former (and current) SEO companies see the handwriting on the wall as more search moves from traditional SEO to AEO (answer engine optimisation). Opportunists are popping out of the woodwork.
(There are good options out there, but vet them carefully.)
A swimsuit might start life as a sketch. By the time it reaches the shop floor, dozens of hands have touched it - designers, dye houses, printers, trim manufacturers, quality controllers. Each one interprets colour in their own way, under their own conditions, with their own tools. The result is often a product that looks nothing like the original vision.
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.
The partnership follows the successful rollout of Fujifilm Ink's thermoforming flexible ink technology, reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering high-performance, application-specific ink solutions for the wide-format print market.
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.
Visitors can find the companies at Booth 3L11 in Hall 3, Smart Creation Area.
The joint appearance marks a significant opportunity for textile brands and manufacturers to experience first-hand how NedGraphics and Optitex deliver a unified workflow — one that connects textile design, colour refinement, and end product development within a single, seamless process.
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.
To mark the occasion, Brother Industrial EMEA is offering eligible print professionals across the EMEA region a complimentary demo package to experience the printer's capabilities firsthand.
FREMONT, CA. August , 2026 – Fiery, a global leader in digital printing technology, has announced the launch of a new free online course designed to help print professionals master colour management for direct-to-film (DTF), direct-to-garment (DTG), and UV printing workflows.
The course, Fiery Specialty Production 301 v1: Colour Management Basics in Digital Factory, is now available on Fiery's learning platform at no cost.
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.
The campaign arrives at a time when the demands placed on modern swimwear are greater than ever. Prolonged sun exposure, repeated contact with water, and the physical demands of summer activities require textiles that go beyond attractive design.
RUDOLF's Summer Campaign aims to demonstrate how the right finishing technologies can meet these challenges head-on.
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.
Taking place from 12 to 15 January in Frankfurt, the Italian Lounge will be located in the heart of Hall 4.1 and will bring together manufacturers of decorative and furniture fabrics, leather, and fibres and yarns under one roof
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.
The visit celebrated the company's longstanding contribution to British textile manufacturing and its commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with modern, sustainable production methods.
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.
Designed to introduce students to the limitless career opportunities across the printing industry, this year's program will feature enhanced career development programming, expanded mentorship opportunities, and greater one-on-one engagement with industry professionals throughout the day's activities.
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.
The installation, which required careful planning and specialist logistics to position both machines on a first-floor mezzanine, marks another milestone in a valued, ongoing partnership.
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.
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.
The recognition highlights the machine's role in automating the final manual step in textile graphics production, combining automated sewing and laser cutting with keder application for silicone edge graphics (SEG).
Barbieri electronics is strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for its next phase of development.
With Viktor Lazzeri, who has played a key leadership role within the company for many years and is well known to customers and partners as Chief Operating Officer, Barbieri has appointed him COO and Co-Managing Director, further strengthening its leadership capacity to support innovation, international growth and even closer customer relationships.
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.
The launch offers fashion designers, production teams, and creative professionals a timely opportunity to explore new possibilities for their upcoming collections.
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.
The installation, supplied and commissioned by Vivid Laminating Technologies, sees three printers feeding directly into HG Graphics' new VelobladeNexus with auto tool change — all operating under full Onyx Graphics software integration. The solution was delivered and set up on-site as part of a complete, ready-to-run installation
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.
The solution addresses one of the print industry's most persistent challenges: maintaining colour accuracy and consistency across different devices and workflows.
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.
Ghent – Belgium – July 2026 – Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS), a leading provider of digital cutting solutions, is calling on print, signage, and packaging businesses to embrace advanced materials as a strategic pathway to new markets, higher-value products, and more sustainable growth.
As competitive pressures intensify across the manufacturing sector, Kongsberg PCS is positioning its versatile, high-performance digital cutting solutions as essential tools for businesses looking to expand their capabilities and future-proof their operations.
The company's message is clear: businesses that invest in advanced material processing today are best placed to lead their industries tomorrow.
Bracknell – Berkshire-July 2026 – UFABRIK’s Soft Blackback Textile, a premium material engineered for tension frames, interiors, retail environments, exhibitions, soft signage, and beyond.
Designed to meet the exacting demands of modern display and signage professionals, the new textile sets a new benchmark for quality, versatility, and performance in the industry
Crewe, UK – July 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the UK's leading Mimaki distributor, has announced two dedicated demonstration weeks at its Crewe showroom this August, giving businesses across the print industry the opportunity to explore the latest Mimaki technology firsthand.
Taking place from 3rd to 7th August and 17th to 21st August 2026, the August Demo Weeks are designed to help businesses make informed investment decisions by experiencing Mimaki's wide format print solutions in a hands-on, pressure-free environment.
Florida – July - 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions has announced its return as a Keynote Sponsor of the 2026 Wide Format Summit, marking the sixth consecutive year the company has supported the industry's premier gathering.
The event is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 July 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Clay Cross – UK – July 2026 – Resolute highlights its new DTF Pneumatic Twin Platen Heat Press, a professional-grade heat press designed to help print shops increase output, improve consistency, and reduce downtime across high-volume production runs.
The machine's dual-platen design allows operators to prepare the next garment while the current one is being pressed, significantly reducing idle time and increasing throughput.
This makes it particularly well-suited to print shops running large direct-to-film (DTF) and transfer print operations, where speed and consistency are critical.
Mexico City, Mexico – July 2026 – FESPA Mexico, the premier event for the print and signage industry in Latin America, is set to take place from 10–12 September at Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City.
The event will bring together professionals, suppliers, and innovators from across the region to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping the future of print.
TOKYO, Japan, July 27, 2026 - Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") is proud to announce that its production facility, PT. Indonesia Epson Industry (IEI), has achieved Platinum recognition under the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Validated Assessment Program (VAP), based on audits conducted by RBA-approved independent third-party firms.
This achievement underscores Epson's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) within its global supply chain.
London, UK – July 2026 – The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has announced its participation at two of Asia's most prominent textile trade events: Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics (25–27 August 2026) and CINTE Techtextil China (1–3 September 2026).
The organisation will promote and support British companies across both shows, connecting international buyers, brands, and industry partners with the full breadth of UK textile expertise.
Kufstein – Austria – July 2026 – Zimmer Austria will exhibit at CAITME 2026, the Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition, taking place from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The company will be present at Pavilion 1, Booth B50, represented through its regional agent, Textile Technologies & Services LLC.
Munich, Germany – July 2026 – FESPA has announced that the European Sign Expo will return to Munich, Germany, from 6 to 9 April 2027.
The event will bring together signage and visual communication professionals from across Europe and beyond, providing a dedicated platform for the industry to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest innovations shaping the sector.
European Sign Expo is widely regarded as the continent's foremost event for the signage industry.
Reken – Germany - July 2026 – FabricVision GmbH, a leading supplier of high-performance textile materials, has announced that more than 50,000 metres of its Lumiprint backlit textile are currently held in stock across its European warehouses and available for immediate dispatch.
The announcement comes ahead of the busy summer season, a period during which material availability is often cited as a critical bottleneck for print and display professionals.