TEXINTEL TALKS - EPISODE 124 - Rewiring the Printed Apparel Production Workflow for Optimised Manufacturing
In this podcast, Debbie McKeegan hosts a roundtable discussion with Guy Alroy of Early.Vision, Oliver Mustoe Playfair of Prinfab and Phil McMullin of Epson UK.
Their discussion explores the paradigm shift in the fashion industry from fast fashion to personalised fashion, highlighting the challenges, solutions, and benefits for the manufacturing community.
Looking at all aspects of production to share their knowledge and expertise on how automation software in tandem with smart technology offers a solid solution for optimised apparel manufacture.
Experts from Printfab, Epson, and Early Vision share insights on the role of technology, sustainability, and the future of apparel production.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The apparel industry is moving towards personalized fashion due to environmental concerns.
Fast fashion contributes significantly to global emissions, necessitating a shift in production methods.
Digital printing technology enables short runs and on-demand production.
Consumer demand for personalization is growing, driven by market trends.
COVID-19 accelerated the trend towards personalized products as people sought unique items.
Automation and workflow solutions are essential for efficient production processes.
Color management is crucial for maintaining consistency in printed products.
E-commerce integration is vital for managing diverse customer orders effectively.
Standards in data formats are needed to streamline on-demand manufacturing.
Robotics may play a significant role in the future of garment production.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Personalized Fashion
02:19 The Shift from Fast Fashion to Personalization
08:24 The Role of Digital Technology in Fashion
11:25 Streamlining Production and Workflow
21:19 Color Management and Consistency in Printing
29:19 E-commerce Integration and Challenges
38:26 Future Trends in the Apparel Industry
Join host Debbie McKeegan for an inspiring conversation with Danit Peleg, founder of 3D Fashion Lab and a trailblazer in 3D-printed fashion.
Danit reflects on her journey from experimenting with desktop printers to creating soft, wearable textiles—and explores how AI is helping designers turn ideas into garments more quickly. Discover how bio-based materials, custom-fit designs, and on-demand local production could reshape the way fashion is made and consumed, while reducing waste and opening up new creative possibilities for designers and customers alike.
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In this podcast episode, James Watson, Managing Director of Surface Print, discussed the evolution of his fourth-generation family business in Lancashire.
Surface Print combines traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation- investing £2 million in a hybrid rotary screen Gravure machine and £600,000 in new HP digital printers.
The company achieved ISO 14001 accreditation, introduced solar panels, and plans to install a new boiler and water recirculation system. Watson emphasised the importance of balancing traditional techniques with modern technologies to maintain quality and sustainability. The company also leverages AI for efficiency and marketing, while maintaining a family-oriented work culture.
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From Dongles to Digital: Future‑Proof Licensing for Global Creative Teams
Host Debbie McKeegan talks with NedGraphics President Frank Maeder and 10Duke CEO Neil Fenton about the shift from hardware dongles to secure, user‑centric cloud licensing.
They discuss how this transition reduces friction for designers, supports hybrid and global workflows, strengthens security and resilience, and even contributes to sustainability by eliminating physical keys and their shipping footprint.
If you’re in fashion, design, CAD/CAM, or any creative production environment and want to future‑proof your software delivery, this discussion is packed with insight and real‑world examples.
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In this insightful interview, Dave Conner, Director of Product Marketing at Stahls and Fulfill Engine, shares his journey into the textile industry.
The commercial opportunity presented by printed, personalised merchandise is already a lucrative revenue stream; it is the core driver of growth in a multi-billion-pound industry. And the mandate for print businesses is clear: automate, adapt, and offer undeniable added value, or choose to gradually lose market share.
This is not merely a shift in consumer demand; it is the fundamental evolution of the printed surface. By leveraging adaptive manufacturing, 3D added value, and sustainable surface effects, digital printers can secure their future by offering unique print applications across apparel, interior décor, accessories, and bespoke objects.
Discover how automation, materials, and community collaboration are shaping the future of on-demand garment decoration and fulfilment.
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In this podcast episode, Ulrich Scherbel, CEO of AMSilk, discusses the innovative production of bioengineered spider silk protein and its applications in the textile industry, going far beyond fibre and with the power to radically transform inks and chemistry.
He explains the challenges of scaling up production, the importance of sustainability, and how AMSilk's technology can significantly reduce carbon emissions. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in protein bioengineering and the future vision for transforming the textile supply chain through collaboration and innovation.
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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
Bologna, Italy – October 2026 – Valiani, a leading innovator in precision cutting technology, has today announced the launch of its new GEN 2 cutting machine at FAMAART Bologna.
Designed specifically for high-volume matboard production, GEN 2 represents a significant step forward in the industry's pursuit of greater efficiency without compromising on quality.
Fremont – Ca – October 2026 - Fiery, a global leader in digital front end (DFE) technology for print, has announced that the full recording of its webinar, Beyond CMYK: From More Colours to More Impact, is now available on demand.
The session addresses a pressing challenge facing today's commercial print providers: how to move beyond the limitations of standard CMYK to meet rising client demands for bold, brand-accurate colour.
Dubai, UAE – October 2026 – FESPA’s exclusive Leadership Exchange event, FLEX, will return to Dubai on 26 November 2026, bringing together senior figures from across the Middle East's print and signage industries for a day of strategic dialogue and knowledge sharing.
London, UK – October 2026 – Sanderson Design Group plc. has today announced a robust first-half performance, underpinned by sustained momentum across its business and the continued delivery of its focused growth strategy.
The results highlight the Group's growing international reach and its commitment to building a more resilient, sustainable future for the design industry.
Revenue for the period rose to £51.4m, while statutory profit before tax increased by 69% to £2.5m.
Adjusted profit before tax also grew significantly, up 47% to £3.3m
Telford, UK – October 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd has today released its new 2026 price list, introducing new machines, updated bundle deals, and revised pricing across its range of print, cutting, and finishing solutions.
The updated catalogue reflects the company's ongoing commitment to equipping print businesses with reliable, cost-effective equipment as the industry continues to evolve.
With new machinery added to the lineup and refreshed bundle options, China Print Supplies UK aims to make it easier for customers to find solutions tailored to their operational needs and budgets.