In our latest podcast we speak with Kevin Van Lanker of Sportswear of Tomorrow.
With over 20 years’ experience in Sportswear production Kevin and his team are rewiring the industry to offer digitally printed performance garments created using sustainable design and production methods.
His innovative approach to business makes him a pioneer in his field and his vision for the future signposts a new circular landscape for manufacturing.
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Summary
Kevin Van Lancker, founder of Sportswear of Tomorrow, discusses the changes and advancements in the sportswear industry. He highlights the use of AI in production planning and design, as well as the importance of sustainable materials and circularity. Kevin also emphasizes the need for on-demand manufacturing and the challenges of transitioning from bulk manufacturing. He shares his vision for the future of sportswear, including fully bespoke and sustainable production. Kevin discusses the viability of near-shore production and the importance of partnerships and collaborations in driving industry-wide change.
Takeaways
The use of AI in sportswear production is becoming more prevalent, with applications in design, production planning, and waste reduction.
Sustainable materials and circularity are key focuses in the sportswear industry, with the goal of reducing waste and using recycled materials.
On-demand manufacturing allows for customization and reduces overproduction, but transitioning from bulk manufacturing can be challenging.
Near-shore production can be viable with the right infrastructure and skilled labour, but retailers need to adapt to new technologies and sustainability practices.
The future of sportswear includes fully bespoke, sustainable, and quickly delivered products, with a focus on transparency and traceability.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:48 Sportswear of Tomorrow and Product Range
01:34 Changes in the Sports Sector
03:06 The Use of AI in Sportswear Production
04:38 Challenges and Overcoming Them
07:41 On-Demand Manufacturing in Sportswear
08:53 Impact of New Materials on Function and Sustainability
17:37 Relocation and Harvesting New Materials
24:37 Viability of Near-Shore Production
28:34 Future Plans for Sportswear of Tomorrow
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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The SureColor G9000 is built around a complete Epson ecosystem, combining Epson inks, printheads and software with Epson EdgePrint or Fiery Digital Factory RIPs
Frankfurt am Main, 14th October 2026 – With the new premium segment Carpets & Rugs Excellence, the Comfort & Connect area and the Heimtextil Trends 27/28, Heimtextil 2027 is sharpening its offering for a market under pressure.
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Milan, Italy – October 2026 – BARBIERI Electronics, a leading innovator in colour measurement technology, today announced its participation in VISCOM Italia 2026, taking place at Allianz MiCo in Milan on 28–29 October 2026.
The company will exhibit at Booth A14 alongside its Italian distributor, Tecnologie Grafiche, presenting its latest spectrophotometer solutions to the digital printing industry.
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.
Clay Cross- UK – October 2026– Resolute DTF today features their R-JET PRO DTF™ UV61-3Di, a UV DTF printer engineered to elevate promotional products with striking three-dimensional effects.
Using advanced tilt print head technology, the new machine produces stunning TPU and Crystal Patch embossed finishes on a wide range of everyday items, offering businesses a new way to differentiate their products in an increasingly competitive market.