The return of the educational event, which has been held three times before, in 2008, 2009 and 2011, follows a surge of interest in digital textiles printing.
An international line-up of digital textiles experts will share their knowledge and experience at the one-day conference, which is sponsored by MS Italy and Kiian, in partnership with Fespa’s Italian association, Siotec.
The conference will examine the whole textiles industry including promotional products, textile and garment decoration, textiles for interiors, and soft signage. It will give textiles printers practical tips and the opportunity to gain insight into the future direction of the industry.
“When we first started the Digital Textile Conference, it was very much an emerging technology. We feel that it’s at a mature point now where it can offer some very strong commercial opportunities,” said Fespa’s head of new media and events Duncan MacOwan.
“The quality is there now and the speeds are coming up on the larger machines. There’s also increasing awareness in the maturity of the technology and more printers are starting to adopt it and have confidence in it.
“It’s exactly the right time to be holding it and Milan is the heart of textile production and printing in Europe.”
Key speakers confirmed so far include Melanie Bowles, senior lecturer in digital textiles at Chelsea College of Art and Design, and LA-based clothing and jewellery designer Michael Schmidt, who created the world’s first 3D-printed gown last year.
Seminars, which will be presented simultaneously in both English and Italian, will focus on topics including transfer versus direct printing, technology and software and fashion and interior markets.
“We’ve had a good level of interest so far so we’re confident that it will be well attended. Historically the conference has attracted quite a mix of people from printers to technology providers and we’ve always had very positive feedback,” said MacOwan.
“We feel that people coming to the event will take away quite a lot; not just in understanding the technology but also understanding the applications that it can add to their business offerings.”
Access to the conference, which is open to anyone with an interest in digital textiles printing, is currently being offered at an early-bird rate of €75 for members of Fespa’s association or €100 for non-members.
The early-bird rate is available until 1 August 2014 when the price will rise to €150 for members of Fespa’s associations and €180 for non-members.
The price includes access to all conference sessions, lunch and a networking drinks reception as well as free admittance to the Siotec conference on 1 October. For more information visit www.fespa.com/digital-textile-conference.
