The world’s biggest wide-format show Fespa will launch a dedicated textile printing trade show alongside its digital event in Amsterdam next March, as the sector continues rapid growth.
The show will have its own 7300sqm hall filled with an array of textile printing kit, consumables and applications for printers looking to upgrade or diversify.
Organisers say it will be the most comprehensive showcase of textile print technologies and applications in Europe, as the wide format community jumps on the bandwagon.
Fespa divisional director Roz McGuinness says the Fespa Print Census showed textile printing for garments and décor are huge growth areas, with textile printing for soft signage not far behind.
“We know that textile covers many different areas, from garments, to interiors, banners and beyond, and we are confident that next year’s event will be a key launch platform for many technology innovations in this dynamic segment of speciality print,” she says.
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The survey also showed textile is one of the fastest growing areas of digital print globally, with 81 per cent of respondents viewing it as key for their business.
The show will feature exhibits from suppliers offering equipment, consumables, substrates and apparel solutions including Brother, Bullmer, Kiian Digital, INX Digital, Pongs, Screen Europe, MS Printing Solutions, Stahls and Kornit Digital.
Visitors will be guided to textile exhibits and content by the icon of Textilewoman, one of a line-up of ‘Fespa Digital superheroes’, who will help printers find new opportunities.
The Fespa Digital Textile Conference will run on the first day of the show with talks on ‘Insights into the growth and creative development of digital textiles markets’ with Ron Gilboa of Infotrends, to ‘Growing your business with fabric printing’ by Daniel Arzt of Sun Ski Sport.
Also on offer is a Q&A session with Basso & Brooke, pioneers of the digital print process in fashion that won ‘Best New Designers’ at the Elle Style Awards.
McGuinness says more than a fifth of census respondents said textile printing capabilities and equipment purchases are high on the agenda.
“As always, we are committed to helping printers understand the opportunities open to them and how to make the right investments,” he says.
Visitors who register online before January 15 get free access to all events at the March 8-11 show. Registration after this date will be subject to a €40 entry fee.
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