To understand the power of this new business model we spoke to we spoke to the Caro Group in Poland.

“Customer expectations for personalisation, speed, and sustainability are soaring. Generic, mass-produced products no longer satisfy the modern consumer's desire for unique self-expression. Businesses still clinging to outdated, inefficient manufacturing models are finding themselves unable to compete.”

“The challenge is clear: adapt or be left behind.”

The Harsh Reality Facing the Print Industry Today Isn't Just Technological Disruption—it's Technological Paralysis.

While agile competitors are integrating AI solutions, embracing sustainable practices, and diversifying into lucrative new markets, too many print businesses remain frozen, clinging to traditional mindsets. The result is a widening chasm between industry leaders and the rest, with profound implications for market share, profitability, and long-term survival.

The apparel industry is at a crossroads. We can either continue down the wasteful and inefficient path of the past, or we can embrace a future where data, technology, and collaboration combine to solve one of our oldest and most expensive problems.

Creating a consistent and accurate sizing strategy is no longer a "nice-to-have"; it is a commercial imperative.

The tools and data are now available to make this a reality. It's time for brands to stop working in silos and start building a supply chain where information is shared openly and standards are upheld rigorously. Only then can we create garments that truly fit our customers, reduce our environmental impact, and build a more sustainable and profitable future for the industry.

WHY IT MATTERS: Our presence at New Designers reflects AVA’s long-standing commitment to supporting students and championing the next generation of surface pattern designers. 

As providers of professional software for design, colour and print – and trusted partners to leading brands in textiles, wallcoverings, flooring and décor – we know how important it is to nurture new talent and help students graduate with real-world-ready skills. 

Is fashion's digital revolution a threat to creativity or its greatest opportunity?

This is the central question facing an industry grappling with immense pressure to be faster, more efficient, and, crucially, more sustainable. The old ways of working – endless physical samples, lengthy lead times, and significant material waste – are no longer viable. The future, it seems, is not just knocking at the door; it has broken it down.

“The Future of Design is Not a Battle of Human Versus Machine. It is a Dialogue. ”

By embracing AI as a partner, celebrating the unique qualities of human creativity, and demanding the protections we deserve, we can ensure that the next era of design is not one of obsolescence, but one of unprecedented innovation and profound authenticity. The machine can generate an image, but only a human can create meaning.

By bringing manufacturing closer to home, brands can respond to trends in real-time, drastically improve their sell-through rates, and operate with a far lighter environmental touch. CreateMe’s approach aligns perfectly with the macro trend towards distributed, on-demand production, offering a blueprint for a more agile, efficient, and sustainable future.

The technologies and innovations showcased in recent product launches via Texintel represent more than incremental improvements—they constitute a fundamental reimagining of how textile manufacturing can and should operate.

Transforming Textiles: What began as a digital transformation driven by consumer demands for personalisation and shorter lead times has evolved into a fundamental restructuring of how printed textiles are conceived, designed, and manufactured. As we advance towards 2026, digital textile printing has emerged as the cornerstone of a new manufacturing paradigm that prioritises sustainability, efficiency, and technological integration.

Isabelle Laurent has relied on this dynamic design trio since founding her studio in 2002. She scans hand-drawn designs, uses NedGraphics Color Reduction & Cleaning to prepare them, refines patterns in Design & Repeat, and creates multiple colorways with Easy Coloring. This workflow has sustained her career for over two decades, proving the power of investing in specialised tools.

The question facing every textile printing business today isn't whether to adopt AI, but how quickly and strategically they can transform their operations to capture its full potential.

"The real opportunity lies in what industry experts call "AI-powered strategic thinking"—using artificial intelligence not just to do things faster, but to fundamentally reimagine how your business operates, creates value, and serves customers” - Debbie McKeegan | Texintel

Fashion needs a Reinvention and a Restructure of existing Supply Chains.

“The most successful companies will likely be those that combine technological sophistication with values-driven partnerships, geographic diversification with local expertise, and operational efficiency with environmental responsibility. As these industry leaders demonstrate, the future belongs to organisations that can navigate complexity whilst maintaining focus on long-term value creation...”

"Traditional supply chain factories try to do a plug and play, and it doesn't necessarily work." Joey Pringle - Vision Factory

This research, once again highlights an urgent need for a fundamental re-evaluation of the fashion supply chain's cost analysis.

The focus must shift from short-term cost savings to long-term sustainability and value creation. Investing in higher-quality materials and improved manufacturing practices will not only enhance garment durability but also enable true circularity, reducing environmental impact and waste. These changes will pave the way for a more responsible and future-proof textile industry.

Amidst mounting regulatory pressures and increasing consumer demands for transparency, many manufacturers view compliance as a burden. Yet a closer examination reveals something far more significant: a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how we produce, trade, and consume textiles.

The future belongs to those who transform compliance into competitive advantage, turning regulatory requirements into roadmaps for sustainable success.

“Everything that isn’t made by nature has been designed. That means design holds immense power—not only in shaping the crises we face but also in solving them.”

These are the words of Cat Drew, Chief Design Officer at the Design Council, and they couldn’t ring truer in 2025.

The textile industry is at a turning point. Traditional manufacturing processes that have dominated for decades are giving way to sophisticated digital workflows that promise greater efficiency, sustainability, and precision. As global supply chains become increasingly complex and consumer demands shift toward personalisation and faster turnaround times, textile manufacturers must embrace technological innovation to remain competitive.

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..."

The Growth Trap: Why Bigger Doesn’t Always mean Better

“The Fashion industry's obsession with volume has created a dangerous pattern. Companies chase growth through increased production, lower prices, and expanded market presence—often at the expense of profitability”.

Source Fashion, London - Simon Platts, founder of SP&KO Consultancy and former Director of Responsible Sourcing at ASOS

“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.

Barriers and Bridges: Key Insights from the Global Fashion Summit 2025

"The Summit set the stage with sobering statistics about climate change. With 150 extreme weather events in 2024 affecting 3.6 billion people globally, the urgency for sustainable practices couldn’t be more critical. Fashion’s role in this crisis is profound, from its resource-intensive production processes to its rapid consumption cycles." says Debbie McKeegan, FESPA Textile Ambassador.