The industry cannot afford to ignore the next generation. These graduates are not just seeking employment; they are offering solutions to the problems that established firms are scrambling to solve.

The GREENGRADS exhibition at the Surface Design Show is a testament to the power of education and the necessity of hope. By attending, you are not just viewing products; you are supporting a movement towards a cleaner, more ethical built environment.

Is your print business equipped for the future?

“The challenge for any print business operating in the textile ecosystem is to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. Success is no longer just about print quality; it’s about agility, efficiency, sustainability, and the ability to offer personalised products at scale. The traditional, water-intensive, and wasteful methods of the past are being displaced by a powerful digital ecosystem”.

Image Credit: EFI REGGIANI

Michael McDonald, President of SPESA, shares his thoughts on this challenge from the perspective of the suppliers to the industry and states that over the last three years, he has seen more amenability to investment than he’s seen in a very long time, at least from the private sector.

“It’s still not easy. It’s never easy to start a startup. It’s even harder to start a startup in the textile, fashion, and apparel industry.”

“We are moving towards a future where waste is unacceptable—both economically and environmentally. Allowing lighting mismatches to create colour rejections is an unforced error.

The solution requires investment, but it is an investment that pays for itself by preventing a single rejected print run”.

- Lou Prestia

Designers are increasingly drawn to work that feels real.

Marks that are not perfectly aligned, lines that wobble slightly, surfaces that feel considered rather than automated. These qualities bring warmth and personality, offering a balance to the precision of digital tools and AI. Print is no longer just about decoration.

“2025 did not constitute a transition year. It constituted a consolidation of narrative capability”.

“The system became better at explaining why change was underway, better at projecting inevitability, and better at managing contradiction. It did not become better at altering fibre composition, reducing throughput, or decarbonising production at scale.”

Shivam Gusain - Founder at Decypher

The 2026 Surface Pattern Design Competition

The launch of the 2026 iDott Surface Pattern Design Competition marks another year of celebrating innovation. This year, the competition is supported by heavyweight sponsors from across the textile and wallcovering sectors, each presenting a brief that reflects current market demands and future trends.

The Middle East and North Africa hold a rich and storied heritage in textile production, with roots stretching back thousands of years. Known for its skilled craftsmanship, the region has long been a renowned for textile artistry.

Today, the region with a population of over 500 million, is once again positioning itself as a future leader in the adoption and development of cutting-edge manufacturing within the textile sector. With significant investment in digital printing solutions, automated production and an increasing commitment to sustainability, the region is redefining traditional practices while meeting the demands of evolving markets.