Fespa Textile, formerly called Fespa Fabric, will this year feature the Fespa Digital Textile Conference on the opening day of the show, 8 March.
The conference will explore the trends driving the growing market for printed textiles, the latest technology available, the applications for printed textiles and how to use them to boost business.
Speakers include Ron Gilboa of market analyst Infotrends, whose company works with Fespa to produce the annual print census, which this year identified textiles as wide-format print’s biggest growth area.
He said digital textile print growth was driven by a number of trends and in particular a "mega trend" - the shift from mass production to mass customisation.
“There has been a rapid growth in textile printing over the past few years. It has a very wide reach in the variety of textile-based applications, from soft signage to fashion and decor,” he said.
“Consumers want something that’s unique to them. It might not be the only one but it’s something that is unique. That’s happening in various consumer goods areas and manufacturers are attuned to that – from textiles to home decor as well as industrial applications in segments such as automotive.
“Digital printing is a big enabler. There’s now the technology for long runs and short runs without big start-up costs.”
Gilboa said that “democratisation of design” is a key factor, with emerging designers no longer needing to wait to be noticed by a big retailer or manufacturer for their big break. Now they can arrange their own manufacturing and spread the word online.
The much smaller impact on the environment from digital printing on textiles compared to conventional rotary or screen printing technologies is another big tick in the technology’s favour, he added.
Fespa Fabric occupies a dedicated 7,342sqm hall alongside Fespa Digital 2016, at the RAI Amsterdam from 8-11 March.
Fespa divisional director Roz McGuinness said: “The results of our Fespa Print Census highlighted that textile printing for garments and decor are huge growth areas, with textile printing for soft signage not far behind. With this in mind, rebranding the former Fespa Fabric as Fespa Textile was a logical solution.
“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.”
Exhibitors at Fespa Textile 2016 include 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 three Fespa Digital superheroes.
Basso & Brooke, pioneers of the digital print process in fashion and winner of the Best New Designers award at the Elle Style Awards will hold a Q&A session at the event. Daniel Arzt of Sun Ski Sport will speak about how digital textile printing helped grow his business.
For more information visit the Fespa Textile website. Information on the Digital Textile Conference can also be found here. Entry to the exhibition automatically includes entry to Fespa Digital 2016, European Sign Expo and Printeriors.
Register online before 15 January 2016 to get free entry. After that a €40 (£29) entry fee applies.
