Soyang Europe is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings for the multiple industries including sign & display, design, marketing, construction, and décor.
Additionally, Soyang Hardware offers leading edge wide and superwide format print production hardware solutions from many of the industry’s biggest and best-known printer brands.
The company’s head office and 70,000ft² distribution centre in Accrington, Lancashire, holds stock in excess of 1.5 million m² of premium European and American manufactured products, alongside a variety of innovative substrates produced by high-end Far Eastern partners, all available for delivery on a next day service.
As well as supplying its own in-house solutions, Soyang also partners with a number of leading manufacturers for substrates such as Endutex, Senfa, BILD, Alumigraphics, Decal and Desardi and hardware such as Mimaki, Fujifilm, Jetrix, Meevo, Veloblade, Plastgrommet and Bubble free.
Altham – Lancashire – October 2026 – Soyang Europe has announced the appointment of Glen Nunkoo as its new Business Development Manager.
Glen joins the team with over 20 years of industry experience across both hardware and media, and will be responsible for managing customer relationships across the Midlands and North West regions.
Glen's appointment reflects Soyang's ongoing commitment to strengthening its customer relationships and delivering a consistently high standard of service as the business continues to grow.
October 1st 2026– Soyang Europe has announced the appointment of Colin Werrett as Senior Business Development Manager within its Hardware Team.
The appointment reflects Soyang's continued commitment to strengthening its expertise as the business scales to meet the evolving demands of the print and graphics industry.
Werrett brings 32 years of experience in print and graphics to the role, joining at a pivotal moment as Soyang continues to expand its Hardware division.
He will report directly to Andy Webb, Commercial Director, and will work closely with the wider Hardware Team to drive business development and support the company's growth strategy.
Accrington, UK, September , 2026: Soyang Europe will showcase three core products from the Platinum Technologies LIYU range on its stand at The Sign Show 2026.
Following its debut in 2025, The Sign Show will return to NEC Birmingham this autumn, once again co-located with established print industry exhibition The Print Show.
This year, the two events will run from 29 September to 1 October, with thousands of visitors expected across the shows.
Soyang, which exhibited at several previous editions of The Print Show, will take the largest stand in The Sign Show section of the hall, with a focus on its new distribution partnership with Platinum Technologies LIYU
Thetford – Norfolk - September 21, 2026 - Norfolk-based graphics, signage and print business MultiSigns Ltd said its recent investment in a new Vivid VeloBlade Nexus digital cutting system from Soyang Europe has allowed the company to bring more production in-house and significantly reduce turnaround times for customers
Soyang Europe has strengthened its hardware team with the appointments of Andy Webb as Commercial Director and Ian Windebank as Wide-Format Print Specialist.
Both join Soyang with immediate effect, bringing decades of combined experience across print technology, hardware sales, customer support and the wider print industry.
Soyang Europe, a leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media, surface coverings and advanced print production hardware solutions, has underlined its long-term commitment to its partnership with Platinum Technologies LIYU by making a major investment in new customer facilities and technical expertise.
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.
Exhibition stands and live events company Envisage Spaces Group (ESG) has set its sights on growth within the standalone graphics market after investing in a new Solent Texsew Conveyorline from Soyang.
Leicestershire - July 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has announced that Ricky Wiggins, founder of Monsters of Dirt Ltd and Ministry of Print, has selected the VelobladeNexus cutting system for his motorbike decal production operations.
The installation, completed this week and facilitated through specialist distributor Soyang Europe, marks another milestone for the VelobladeNexus as demand for the multi-award-winning system continues to grow across the print industry.
July 2026 - Soyang Europe a leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media, surface coverings and advanced print production hardware solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Murphy as Sales Manager for Ireland, with immediate effect.
Dave Murphy will serve as Sales Manager at Soyang Group’s facility in Dublin, a role in which he will manage Irish customers and new business in the country.
Manchester - July 2026– Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has announced that Elite Sign Solutions Ltd has selected the multi-award-winning VelobladeNexus system, breaking the company's own record for Veloblade installations in a single month.
The milestone also reinforces Vivid Laminating Technologies' position as the UK's leading cutter system provider for five consecutive years.
The installation, completed this week, was facilitated through a collaborative effort with Soyang Europe, with Damien Martin playing a key role in coordinating the order.
Brand and signage consultancy Morgans Consult has invested in a new Jetrix XGR320 superwide-format UV printer from Soyang Europe to support expansion into a wider range of large-format print markets and allow it to take on more complex work.
Gloucester - June 2026 - Full-service signage and graphics specialist Blue Sky Signs has expanded its application offering following the installation of a Mimaki UCJV330-160 print-and-cut UV-LED inkjet printer from Soyang Europe.
By combining Mimaki’s advanced print capabilities with Soyang’s extensive portfolio of specialist media, the company is now able to deliver a wider range of creative and premium-finish graphics solutions.
Accrington, UK, June 16, 2026: Soyang Europe has announced that Soyang Technologies has secured the prestigious SEAQUAL® Certificate from the SEAQUAL Initiative, reinforcing its focus on sustainable production.
The SEAQUAL Initiative comprises a community of organisations, businesses, and individuals who work together to remove plastic waste from oceans, rivers, beaches, and coastlines.
This is then converted by licensed manufacturers into SEAQUAL Marine Plastic, a high-quality, traceable raw material used in a range of applications, including the creation of textiles.
Massive, a specialist provider of services to mass participation charity and outdoor events, has successfully delivered a series of high-performance floor graphics for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, utilising Alumigraphics Grip from Soyang Europe to meet the demanding requirements of one of the world's most celebrated road races.
LEIGHTON BUZZARD, UK – May 2026 – Soyang Europe and Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver a state-of-the-art 3.2-metre wide VeloBlade Nexus to a new customer.
The delivery, which took place in Leighton Buzzard, marks a significant milestone in providing advanced, wide-format finishing solutions to the print and signage sectors.
Accrington, UK, April 29, 2026: Soyang Europe, the leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings, is delighted to confirm that Soyang Technologies will showcase a range of its innovative solutions and materials at the upcoming FESPA Global Print Expo 2026.
Soyang Europe will also be making a major announcement on the first day of the event, with further details to be revealed over the coming weeks.
Taking place from 19-22 May in Barcelona, Spain, FESPA 2026 will once again serve as a key meeting point for professionals from across the global printing industry.
Surrey-based Elgin International has said its recent investment in a new VeloBlade Nexus 2516 from Soyang Hardware has helped eliminate bottlenecks within its production line and also opened up opportunities for expansion into additional markets.
Accrington, UK, May 11, 2026: Soyang Europe, the leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings and a supplier of leading-edge wide and superwide format print production hardware solutions, is delighted to announce that it has become the official distributor for Platinum Technologies LIYU (formerly known as LIYU Technologies) in Great Britain.
Accrington, UK - May 5, 2026 – Soyang Europe, the leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media, has today announced the launch of InstaFloor.
This highly innovative, printable cushioned floor covering is engineered to capture consumer attention in high-traffic environments while addressing the urgent need for safe, comfortable, and efficient retail infrastructure.
InstaFloor is a specialist PVC material created to facilitate rapid installation across commercial, retail, and event spaces.
Measuring 2.6mm in thickness, the forward-thinking product delivers a highly effective cushioned effect.
Accrington, UK - 23 April 2026 – Soyang Europe, the leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings, has announced the appointment of Vicky Hudson as its new Area Sales Manager.
In this pivotal role, Hudson will work closely with customers across the north of England and Scotland, helping businesses navigate an ever-evolving market by identifying innovative Soyang solutions that support long-term, ethical business growth.
The family-run trade signage business said the new flatbed applicator and laminator has helped it continue to deliver work on time despite an upturn in demand.
Trade sign fabrication business Western Sign Systems has revealed how its recent investment in a new BubbleFree Pro 1528 GLED flatbed applicator and laminator from Soyang Hardware has significantly improved the company’s service offering, ensuring it continues to hit deadlines despite an increase in demand for finished signage.
March 2026 – Soyang Hardware has announced a transformative partnership with KDR Projects, successfully deploying the Vivid VeloBlade Nexus to resolve critical finishing bottlenecks.
This strategic implementation fundamentally changes how work flows through production, eliminating the hidden costs and wasted time that frequently plague the printing and finishing sectors.
Altham – Lancashire ─ March 2026 – Soyang Europe today features the availability of the ST-601 RCY Starlight, an innovative recycled-yarn backlit textile engineered specifically for lightbox applications.
Addressing the urgent industry demand for sustainable materials that do not compromise on quality, this new textile is designed to run, print, and install exactly like traditional fabrics.
This underscores Soyang Europe's commitment to driving forward-thinking, ethical practices within the print and display sector.
Waterlooville, Hampshire – March 2026 – Hampshire Flag Company has announced a strategic partnership with Soyang Europe to integrate the Veloblade Nexus 25x16 into their manufacturing operations.
Facilitated by Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd, this collaboration brings advanced automation and unparalleled precision to the fabric cutting process.
The partnership addresses the urgent industry need for streamlined, efficient production methods while firmly positioning the involved companies at the forefront of modern textile manufacturing.
The integration of the Veloblade Nexus 25x16 marks a transformative milestone for Hampshire Flag Company.
The Thetford-based company took delivery of the new machine – its second Fujifilm Acuity printer from Soyang Hardware in just over 12 months – in September of last year.
Peerless Plastics & Coatings, a company that specialises in the manufacture and application of protective hard coatings to plastic substrates, has revealed that its investment in a Fujifilm Acuity Prime 30 flatbed UV printer from Soyang Hardware has significantly improved production and allowed it to take on additional work from new and existing customers.
Soyang Europe, the leading manufacturer and distributor of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings, has announced the opening of its new Soyang Shop, marking the launch with a limited-time promotional offer.
The online-based Soyang Shop allows customers in the UK to access over 3,000 products from across the expansive Soyang media portfolio.
The Path Foward: Connect Every Link:
Design, colour, workflow, production, data. Each link now depends on the one before it, and the printers who will lead the market are those who strengthen the whole chain, not just the machinery at its centre.
So, this autumn, ask the bigger question on your own shop floor.
Not "Which printer?" but "How well does my business connect demand, design and production?"
Rebés's story isn't one of nostalgia - It's a working blueprint for how heritage manufacturers can stay indispensable in a market that rewards speed, certification, and specificity in equal measure. Four million metres of stock mean nothing without the digital printing capability to turn it into something distinctive.
A 150-year name means nothing without the R&D discipline to win a tender for antistatic, carbon-fibre-infused uniform fabric on the first attempt.
Image Credit: Tejidos Rebé
What if the next dress you wore never touched the factory floor?
This is no longer a fringe experiment. It is a maturing production model, backed by genuine material science, real circularity, and an AI-assisted workflow that is becoming more accessible by the month.
Her advice to designers and brands alike is refreshingly practical: start small, get hands-on with an accessible 3D printer, and build fluency before the technology becomes table stakes. The businesses that treat this moment with curiosity, rather than scepticism, will be the ones shaping fashion's next decade rather than reacting to it.
The 2027 FESPA Awards are now open for entry, and the message to businesses across textiles, apparel, interiors and beyond is simple: your work deserves recognition. Every gold winner featured here started in the same place every entrant does - with a project they believed was worth submitting.
As the only independent awards programme with 18 categories dedicated to print and signage, FESPA offers a genuinely global stage, with shortlisted entries displayed at FESPA Global Print Expo in Spring 2027.
Colour Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
Print will always be the part of the garment people see first.
But the sum of all parts — the fabric, the trims, the fasteners, the finish — is what determines whether a design actually delivers on its promise. Brands that continue to treat colour as a single creative decision, rather than a coordinated technical discipline spanning their entire supply chain, will keep paying for it in re-dips, delays, and disappointed design teams.
A Century of Textiles, and an Ever-changing World
Few companies can trace their roots back more than a century and still count themselves among their industry's innovators. Texia, headquartered in Monistrol de Montserrat, Spain, is one of them.
But the story of Texia is not simply one of longevity.
It is a story of continual reinvention. As the textile industry has grown more global and competitive, Texia has repeatedly reshaped its business, investing in technology, developing its own brands, and placing sustainability at the centre of its mission. In doing so, it offers a compelling example of how a heritage manufacturer can lead rather than follow through a period of profound industry change. Image Credit: Texia
What are we craving Ultimately?
The instinct to slow down while simultaneously optimising every measurable aspect of life isn't a passing curiosity. It's a structural response to a world that feels increasingly unstable, and it's reshaping what people expect from their homes, hotels, workplaces and healthcare environments alike.
For the design and manufacturing sectors, this means rethinking both product and process.
The Structual Shift is Real and its Already Here
Volumes are moving east, where digital production is accelerating rapidly. Consumer behaviour has shifted.
Demand is now driven by personalisation, shorter buying cycles, and an expectation of near-instant responsiveness. Regulatory pressure is intensifying, with supply chain transparency now a legal and commercial fact in many markets. And margins? They are under sustained, structural pressure.
This is not a temporary disruption. It is a fundamental reordering of how textile manufacturing must operate.
The Challenge: Standing Firm as the Industry Shifts
The wallpaper landscape has changed dramatically. Digital printing has lowered the barrier to entry, spawning countless direct-to-consumer brands and pushing much of the market towards faster, cheaper production.
At the same time, manufacturing in the UK has grown steadily harder - rising minimum wage, national insurance, energy and substrate costs all bear down on margins. Surface Print have embraced all of these challenges - and stand resolutely prepared for the future.
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 word "toxic" carries weight. It conjures danger, harm, and things best avoided.
“Yet in the textile industry - Where between 3,000 and 10,000 chemicals move through the supply chain, a reflexive fear of the term is one of our biggest obstacles to progress.”
This article distils the key takeaways and what buyers, designers, and brands should be asking right now.
What Is the Digital Product Passport?
At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product - For a printed textile product, this means the DPP would capture data on the substrate, inks and dyes used, the printing process and technology, chemical compliance, environmental impact (including water and energy use), supply chain traceability, and end-of-life instructions.
The Market Gap that Changed Everything
Future Fashion was founded in 2019, timed deliberately to coincide with a pivotal moment in global textile technology: the commercial launch of the EFI Reggiani BOLT Single-Pass digital printing system.
The founders recognised that single-pass architecture had fundamentally changed what was industrially possible - and that Pakistan's domestic market had yet to catch up.
Print is no longer defined by the inefficiencies that once characterised it…as advances in production processes and technology have significantly improved its environmental performance.
Taran Rai, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Epson explains why?
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.”
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”