“This market shift has fed perfectly into the dynamics of the global ecommerce market where apparel and accessories with a value of over USD759.5 billion (Statista) had become the number one ecommerce sector in the world. Undoubtedly the silver bullet that delivered this fulfilment business model was the inexorable rise of direct to garment printing.” Texintel - Technical Editor

“As digital natives the next generation have a huge role to play in the future of the textile printing industry. If we succeed in passing on our manufacturing heritage, and our knowledge freely, we will undoubtably succeed in creating a sustainable future for the textiles industry where creativity, technology and print thrive.” FESPA Textile Ambassador

“Estelle Pearce’s new collection ‘AiEvolution’ is an experimental digital collection that draws from the power of Ai creation to test realisation and pattern-cutting skills, crafting pieces that stand out rather than conform to traditional notions of clothing with each design having its own unique personality.”

“While reactive inks are only printed on natural fibers, such as cotton and silk - Pigment inks, have the ability to be printed on natural and synthetic fibers, allowing all types of fabrics including polyester blends to be printed without difficulty. Additionally Pigment inkjet printing is the subject of widespread technological development both of systems, inks and components.”

“The sprint to certification is critical as our consumers measure and document every element of the final products DNA. Keeping up with such certification at every step of the products manufacture and development is equally tasking and doing so often demands that we zig-zag our supply chain across many continents. In truth, whilst our customers seek to re-shore or nearshore their final products, the manufacturing components of the technologies and consumables we utilise are sourced worldwide. ” FESPA Textile Ambassador

“Direct to Garment production goes from strength to strength, with a vertical assent predicted. Stellar growth in the use of direct to garment digital textile printing machinery continues to provide a unique and highly successful business model, gaining traction worldwide. As a technology built to deliver speed to market, its built for on-demand production and as such sustainable manufacturing - driving down inventory and production costs.”

“Much missed by the design community, the show finally returned to full power for January 2023. Paris Deco-Off is a unique show and it presents an unrivalled opportunity to meet with the trade, to browse interior furnishing collections and to explore new products and materials - predominately textiles and wallcoverings, presented by established trade brands across Europe.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

“Japanese designer Yuima Nakazato chose Paris to launch his latest collection for Spring/Summer 2023. The launch highlights Nakazato’s vision for the Fashion Industry and in partnership with Epson, he once again utilised the latest innovations and technologies to manufacture his ground-breaking fashion collections.”

“The digitisation of the Interior decoration industry is advancing in line with key market trends across the sector. As the supply chain flexes and shifts to meet a new manufacturing paradigm for decoration – that is: business models that deliver creativity, stability and agile fulfilment. The interiors industry is shifting to on-demand production and offers the print industry a viable and expanding opportunity.”

“Greenwashing has become commonplace worldwide, in a spurious attempt to make products appear environmentally friendly, without meaningfully reducing their environmental impact. Companies large and small are affected. Often unknowingly. Sustainability is now often used to leverage sales as the demand for eco-friendly products increases. As a result, the consumer is bombarded with a plethora of unsubstantiated claims and marketing statements of dubious origin.”

“Ram has served the garment industry for many decades, with an extensive knowledge and manufacturing history characterized by one word - disruptive. His vision and philosophy are ingrained in Tukatech, the fashion technology solutions company that Ram Sareen founded in 1995. Tukatech is credited with successfully bringing digital pattern making to dozens of countries and they are an innovative leader in virtual sample making, design and fit with real time motion simulation.”

“Paolo Crespi’s journey to Epson Italia began in 1998 when Robustelli and For.tex asked Epson, Japan to support their technology. The first Monalisa machine was launched in Italy, in Como and was the first industrial unit in the field. Now some 25 years later, digital textile printing within the Como district, provides over 80% of printed fabric by volume using Epson PrecisionCore digital advanced technology”.

“The global digital textile printing sector is expected to reach USD 6.65 billion by 2030 [Research and Markets]. Market conditions have also presented new opportunities. Across all markets, on all continents, reshoring has accelerated. This generated new business for the textile printing industry, whilst also accelerating investment and the emergence of new on-demand print businesses.” - FESPA Textile Ambassador

"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." The award winner will receive an Epson SureColor SC-F500 dye sublimation printer as a gift enabling them to take control of their own creativity and to explore printed production in-house and grow their design brand organically.

“We all have a role to play, whether we are suppliers, manufacturers, brands, associations, journalists, consumers or upstart companies looking to make dramatic changes. So the question for you, dear reader, is: What’s in your closet?” - Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink

“Responsibly sourced and sustainable materials remain in short supply globally, and the textile industry cannot yet generate (or recycle) the volume required by the global supply chain across multiple market sectors. Whilst the fashion Industry is often in the spotlight, all textiles must become circular in the long term.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

In this guest blog post written by Phil McMullin of Epson UK explores the benefits and opportunities of the SureColor R5000 “Everybody is looking for something different. Something exclusive. Something that is added value. Customisation and personalisation with digitally printed wallpaper, that makes short print runs and print on demand economic and viable, can deliver this. The result is the creation of the perfect environment for market growth in both decorative wallpaper and functional advertising. I discussed the opportunities and growth markets more here”

“The A/W season also marks a return to “back to business” as usual, but with an accelerated appetite for new tech and sustainable solutions. With heightened market demand for flexible production, in challenging environmental and economic circumstances, nobody can pretend that the industry is thriving - its evolving.

All issues regarding sustainability have leaped into sharp focus – the spotlight is on the supply chain and how it utilises technology to deliver - environmental progress and efficient manufacturing solutions.”