“Las Vegas this year was host to the Printing United Exhibition which abounded with product launches and technological highlights. The three-day Expo, held September 10-12, attracted 24,969 registered attendees, 800 exhibitors, and industry thought leaders from 115 countries. With more square feet of technology being shown than in 2023, encompassing 385,600 square feet, the Expo delivered an substantial showcase for exhibitors and attendees alike at this year’s event. The show was reported to be a great success for exhibitors who utilised the Expo’s all-compassing umbrella to showcase their newest and latest technology. ” Texintel Editorial Team

“Colourama, a Polish textile printing firm has become a "Powerhouse of Print" in Eastern Europe, boasting impressive daily production capacities. The business now hosts a production volume of 12,000 to 15,000 linear metres of printed textile daily. Its diversified operations span an in-house design studio creating exclusive design collections for global distribution.”” Debbie McKeegan, CEO - Texintel

“The dynamics of ecommerce pose new challenges for the digital textile print industry. Performance is crucial for success in this realm, and new software developments enable printers and manufacturers to meet these demands. From web-order capture to final delivery, the right digital textile printing workflow software can significantly enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and profitability of your print operation. These nine software solutions cater to the needs of digital textile print providers of all sizes, delivering tailored solutions to boost productivity, streamline workflows and elevate profitability.” Texintel Editorial Team

“Digital printing is an industry in rapid evolution, forced to adapt and innovate in the face of changing technologies, market sectors, and an ever-increasing emphasis on sustainability. The onus on the digital print industry to adopt and promote sustainable practices has never been more pressing. As it becomes a necessity rather than an option, the sourcing of certified, eco-friendly fabrics becomes both an obligation to meet environmental standards and a competitive edge in the market. “ Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

”The story of Ben Soper and Stead McAlpin is an inspiring testament to the transformation of the textile industry and the need to evolve print process to meet market shifts without losing the essence of tradition. Their journey underscores the importance of innovation and commitment to quality in industrial textile printing. With their focus on digital technologies and customer-centric services, the company looks set to carve out a critical place in the future of the textile industry.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

“Imagine having transparency over your entire supply chain and providing your customers with access to the full history of the product they purchased—where it came from, what it’s made of, and its entire journey. That’s traceability in action. And the tool? DPP. With a DPP, you’re instantly providing the transparency customers crave. Transparency equals trust—simple math.” Marwa Zamaray | European Climate Pact Ambassador

”This final fireside chat at the Fespa PMW live smart factory offers a deep dive into the knowledge transfer required between technology and production. Without acute control - chaos reigns supreme in the manufacturing workflow. In conversation, speakers examined key topics such as collaboration, standardisation, and the integration of technology to improve production quality. They addressed important issues including colour management, workflow automation, and the influence of AI on creativity and intellectual property.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

“We’ve been talking a great deal about the deleterious effects of Fast Fashion on our planet. Now we have a counterpoint to discuss—an effort in Congress to rein in fast fashion with the launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus. Plus, California is putting even more teeth into its recycling efforts with a proposed bill that establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for recycling clothing and textile fibers. And France is proposing a Fast Fashion Tax and an EU ban on exporting used clothing.” - Writes Cary Sherburne - WhatTheyThink

“Researchers and academics from Textile Engineering and Materials Research Group (TEAM) of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) were part of the Expo’s innovation zone, featuring collaborations which could pave the way for alternative materials and solutions that could reduce the environmental impact of textile production and support the textile industry transition to circularity”.

“This roundtable discussion is a treasure trove of insights into the future of on-demand textile production. The discussion unravels the complex interplay between market shifts towards sustainability, fabric innovations, colour management, and the role of technology in scaling production. Emphasising on the importance of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous adaptation, the conversation reveals the textile industry as an ever-evolving landscape, ready to embrace change and strive for innovation”.

“If we look to Apparel - a complex sector where in order to reap the environmental and commercial benefits - technology must be implemented at scale. In reality the digitisation of this vast, complicated industry and the entire textile industry will take many years. Rewiring the entire apparel supply chain is underway but progress is slow and painfully incremental – and must accelerate if the industry is to make positive environmental change.” Debbie McKeegan for PIXEL to PARCEL

Print collections as seen largely at New Designers, London today are likely to be the personal expression of their designer, telling a very particular story. Take for example Laura Wigham who calls her collection "The Wild North" - with punchy patterns inspired by "wild uninhabited places" such as the Scottish Highlands and Borders and Northumberland - "ancient, dramatic and remote." Barbara Chandler - co-founder Green Grads

“Awarding talent, offers the graduates vital encouragement and validates their hard work. This year Staffordshire university graduate Seren Unlu won the Epson Digital Textile Printing Award for her beautiful, vibrant, colourful  collection that stunned all five of the judges Seren’s work is bright, bold and beautiful. She has used digital technologies to enhance her creativity and to manufacture a range of products that showcase her talents.”

”Their digital journey began over 20 years ago, during which time S&B have continually invested, researched, perfected, primed, and developed their facility to offer a powerhouse of digital textile production. Their heritage and its preservation have ensured that knowledge is protected, nurtured and shared and that excellence and talent are rewarded, there is a palpable pride in every member of the team, and they function as a team - there is no "I". in team” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

”Now operating in over 32 countries, Gelato has revolutionised how businesses and individuals approach printed products and their design, sale, and fulfilment. To give an indication of scale, in 2023 more than 25,000 new ecommerce players placed orders through their platform, and using Gelato Connect, millions of orders were fulfilled and delivered to end-customers in 184 countries. In 2022, more than 85% of Gelato’s orders were produced in the same country as the end-customer.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

“This roundtable paints a clearer picture of the road the fashion industry must embark on. The collective emphasis on fruitful collaboration, legislative enforcement of sustainable practices, complete transparency, nurturing an educated ecosystem, and shifting focus toward a circular economy model, charts out the roadmap to sustainability in fashion.” Debbie McKeegan | CEO Texintel

“Policy alone cannot solve the problem of textile waste. Voluntary business action, including the establishment of voluntary EPR schemes, are key to accelerate progress. Coordinated and compounding industry action is needed to challenge the linear economic model at its core, and to capture the opportunity to reuse and recycle textile products and materials at scale….” Ellen Macarthur Foundation

”As the industry evolves, manufacturers who adopt digital process to reduce their environmental impact will lead the way. Personalised, high-performing products that adhere to ethical and sustainable practices resonate with the modern consumer. The convergence of technology, consumer demand, and ethical considerations offers new growth opportunities and positions Sports brands to thrive.” Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

”Held at the recent FESPA Global Expo in Amsterdam, the "Personalise Make Wear" feature showcased a live custom-built, end-to-end Smart Factory that manufactured customised, personalised sportswear on-demand. The feature signposted the future of manufacturing as the industry shifts to sustainable, environmental production”. Debbie McKeegan - FESPA Textile Ambassador

“Procurement, workflows, and logistics need to be connected and optimized into one single workflow, as online print service providers need to be masters in cost-efficient and fast-turnaround print production spanning multiple sites and production devices. European section editor Ralf Schlözer points out how, in a remarkable move, online print provider Gelato is now opening up its software solution and production platform, GelatoConnect, to all print service providers”. By Ralf Schlozer | WhatTheyThink