Digital textile printing has been making significant gains – Allied Market Research places the market with a CAGR of 11.6% from 2019 to 2027, growing from $1.1 billion in 2019 to $2.67 billion by 2027. Still, Grand View Research places the global printed textile market at $146.5 billion in 2018.

There are more opportunities for growth; the key is to unlock that potential, and part of that is educating designers of the capabilities and value that digital printing brings.

Part of those advantages come on the financial end. Timothy Check, senior product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. reported that digital printing in the apparel market was 3% five years ago, and now is at 5%. Check said that the dividing line for profitability between screen and inkjet is moving toward ever higher runs.

“We have printers that are for sampling and others for production. We see that runs of 10,000 to 20,000 pieces can be more efficient. A basic item with lots and lots of products, you want to run it on screen. We’re not quite there yet with digital, but that line keeps getting pushed out to larger and larger runs,” Check reported.

“The biggest part is getting the producer to move over to digital, and it has to make business sense,” Check added. “We can make 100,000 pieces in India for $1 a garment, as opposed to $2.50 doing it here. However, they also have to understand the total logistic costs. If we bring it back to the states, it has to run more efficiently and with more automation. Large runs aren’t happening, as companies don’t want to stockpile inventory without knowing when customers are coming back.”

Lily Hunter, Roland DGA product manager, textiles, eCommerce, and supplies, said that environmental benefits are key to the future growth of digital printing of textiles.

“Cleanliness, sustainability, and simply being a ‘green’ option make digital printing, specifically dye-sublimation, very attractive,” Hunter observed. “There is no excess water waste or pollution in the dye-sublimation process. Local laws and regulations in the signage industry make soft signage a great PVC-free alternative. Also, the digital printing of textiles meets consumers’ demands for customization and short production runs for apparel and décor.”

Eric Beyeler, global marketing manager – inkjet inks for DuPont, also pointed to the environmental benefits.

“Brands and consumers can significantly accelerate the digital transition by requiring lower environmental footprint and a shorter/quicker supply chain which digitally-printed textiles can deliver,” Beyeler said.

Simon Daplyn, marketing manager, Sensient Imaging Technologies, noted that digital printing is now able to address a full range of print speeds, widths and configurations, offering textile manufacturers full capability to match the output of conventional print systems with all the added benefits of digital.

“In order for the technology to drive further expansion within the textile industry, ink chemistry and workflow management will be key,” Daplyn said. “There needs to be further advancement in pigment inks and technologies to simplify workflows such as ‘print, fix and cut’ in-line and at scale before more producers will be ready to switch technologies. Similarly, we also expect improvements in sustainable inks, for example reducing the water, waste and energy usage required, will push digital printing as the go-to platform when considering new installs.

“Another driver for expansion, in part triggered by the current COVID-19 crisis, will be nearshoring,” Daplyn added. “Digital printing can support such a transition and allow for faster response to demand in stores, reducing the reliance on large volume production overseas, and decreasing inventory and logistics headaches. This will also allow brands to re-stock on a ‘just in time’ basis rather than forecasting a need several months in advance.”

“The market is always more demanding,” said Micol Gamba, EFI Reggiani product and marketing manager. “The market is rewarding textile producers that not only deliver high performance and quality, but also a competitive cost per meter. The risk of investing in new technology is reduced with digital printing with solutions that can ensure superior reliability, increased overall uptime and a lower environmental impact. At EFI Reggiani, we have solutions that offer even more process improvements, such as EFI Reggiani TERRA pigment and EFI Reggiani IRIS direct-to-fabric sublimation. All of these innovations are going in the direction of improving productivity and sustainability. Listening to our customers and delivering superior solutions to the market for business growth is EFI Reggiani’s winning strategy in exceeding textile market requests.”

Marco Zanella, managing director of INX Digital Italy, places the digital printing market at 6% of the overall printed textile field. He observed that the drivers of additional expansion are no different than in any other industry.

“At the moment, digital printing has reached a point where investments required to access technology are higher than conventional but affordable and returnable enough to be attractive for players globally,” Zanella said. “We have machines, inks, knowledge and experience available, but still not covering the entire life-cycle of modern products. A few concerns are still active when considering printheads, the most sensitive and valuable parts of a print machine. They are still very expensive, scarcely serviceable, and unclear life expectancy. There clearly is room for improvement and R&Ds are active to find solutions and offer new products.”