High growth forecast for digital printing on textiles

Based on primary research and expert analysis 'The Future of Digital Print for Textiles: Market Forecasts to 2014' breaks down the global market by end-use sector, print process, region and country, with five-year forecasts to 2014. The study also provides an overview of the latest technology developments, analysis of the competitive landscape and identifies specific market opportunities for raw material and print technology suppliers.?

The report shows that textiles production has moved to countries with low labour rates, but digital printing may change that. Short runs and agile manufacturing are set to force some production back to North America and Western Europe. More of the cotton that is shipped from the US to China will stay at home, to be made into fabric that will be digitally printed locally to satisfy design-savvy consumers locally, while digital print will allow more designers to create and test new designs more quickly.?

Eco-solvent inks are replacing solvent-based inks as many of the older solvent machines are replaced, and environmental regulations in Europe and North America support the continued development and use of eco-solvent approaches. The total installed base of digital printers for textiles is forecast to grow to 52,800 units globally by 2014, a CAGR of 23.1%?

Digital printing of textiles has been in effect since the mid 1990s with electrostatic (e-stat) and early wide format inkjet printers, either by direct printing (in the case of inkjet) and via dye sublimation transfer (inkjet and e-stat). Direct to fabric printers, combined with growth in textile applications such as soft signage and garments are driving the market for digital textile printing. ?Because display/signage has been one of the first markets for inkjet printing, it is naturally the largest today. It is only in the last few years that dedicated fabric printers evolved and began to affect the garment, household, and other markets.?

Marcus Timson, corporate communications director at Fespa, said: "It was important for Fespa to gain a scientific view of the future direction of the digital textile market, and Pira was a credible partner to undertake such a comprehensive piece of analysis. Fespa's screen printing heritage is such that printing onto textile has always been a very significant element of our events. More recently, our Fespa Digital shows have reflected the market's migration towards digital textile printing for the short-run applications identified in the Pira study, and we have encouraged our community to explore the market's potential through two Digital Textile conferences in parallel with these shows. The textile area of our flagship Fespa show has grown to the point where Fespa is now effectively the largest textile printing event in Europe."

?