Garment Printing

Custom tees – a new chapter of digital disruption in sportswear manufacturing at FESPA 2020

by FESPA | 18/02/2020
Custom tees – a new chapter of digital disruption in sportswear manufacturing at FESPA 2020

Textile printing has long been a key component of FESPA exhibitions, and FESPA Global Print Expo 2020 in Madrid (24th – 27th March 2020) will be no different. It comes as the market is accelerating its adoption of digital inkjet technology in direct-to-garment (DTG) printing to deliver on the growing demand for mass customisation and personalisation.

In the spotlight this year at Print Make Wear, FESPA’s live end-to-end textile print feature, will be sportswear, and more specifically customised garments. This will complement Sportswear Pro, a brand new exhibition dedicated exclusively to sportswear manufacturing, co-located with FESPA Global Print Expo 2020.
 
When it comes to the custom t-shirt, digital inkjet printing offers a host of new opportunities to both the entrepreneur and the established business. The ability to custom print just one or thousands of shirts using the same machine has carved out a new marketplace that continues to flourish as the technology advances. Recent innovations in DTG polyester printing have unlocked the sportswear marketplace, where products that are built for sports performance using blended polyester yarns can also be customised to client specification.
 
Indeed, all the suppliers featured in Print Make Wear this year offer new technologies that will have an impact on the custom t-shirt industry by facilitating smart, sustainable production. Now that every step in the supply chain is being redefined and repurposed, sustainable production is the most important requirement for the next decade, and how we adapt to a new generation of highly automated production processes will be the key to viable production.
 
The future is bright for textile printers who are ready to embrace these new possibilities. As is the case in most industries experiencing digital disruption and swift growth, competition will be present in many new forms. This includes printers that have not traditionally operated in the garment industry looking to diversify into DTG solutions to capture new revenue streams, as well as the new generation of smart factories and online operators that have e-commerce as their business bedrock. The business model is ripe for new entrants, as it does not involve the complication of sewing, but is built on pre-sewn blanks only printed at the time of purchase. Success will depend on excellent e-commerce, addressing the client’s need for a ’personal edit‘, offering consistent quality and products that are totally unique, and achieving super-fast delivery.
 
In the future, all aspects of sportswear will be subject to these mega trends of mass customisation and personalisation. And, in parallel to DTG innovations, some very exciting developments are happening in smart textiles. Combined, they are set to revolutionise the sportswear industry. Visitors to Print Make Wear and Sportswear Pro will showcase these innovations and demonstrate that smart, automated, sustainable sportswear production is here to stay – the future is now!
 
For more information on FESPA Global Print Expo 2020 and to register to attend, visit www.fespaglobalprintexpo.com. For free entry use code FESM215, which will also grant you access to co-located shows, European Sign Expo and Sportswear Pro.

by FESPA Back to News

Interested in joining our community?

Enquire today about joining your local FESPA Association or FESPA Direct

Enquire Today

Recent news

Streamlining personalisation with tech: Insights from the SmartHub Conference 2025 speakers
Personalisation

Streamlining personalisation with tech: Insights from the SmartHub Conference 2025 speakers

Personalisation Experience 2025 (6 – 9 May 2025, Messe Berlin, Germany) is running its inaugural SmartHub Conference from 6 – 8 May 2025.

02-05-2025
Special Effects in DTF: How Neon Inks Are Making Apparel Pop
Inks

Special Effects in DTF: How Neon Inks Are Making Apparel Pop

Neon fluorescent inks are the latest innovation in DTF printing, offering vibrant, eye-catching effects under both daylight and UV light, giving apparel decorators a competitive edge. Testing shows good wash durability, though market perception of added value is still developing. With increasing adoption and ongoing technological advancements, neon represents a significant upgrade for creative customisation.

01-05-2025
Unlocking Growth Opportunities in the Printed Personalised Apparel Industry
Personalisation

Unlocking Growth Opportunities in the Printed Personalised Apparel Industry

The printed personalised apparel industry is booming, projected to reach $10.1 billion by 2030. Driven by consumer desire for self-expression and branding needs, technological advancements like DTG/DTF and e-commerce integration are key. Sustainability, eco-friendly materials, and on-demand printing are crucial growth drivers. Businesses leveraging these trends, including AI and social media, have significant commercial potential.

01-05-2025
How to grow your business with white ink applications
Inks

How to grow your business with white ink applications

Opaque white ink is revolutionising signage, vehicle graphics, wallcoverings, short-run and wood packaging, and window blinds by enhancing vibrancy and clarity. This enables printers to offer high-demand, standout products, boosting profit margins. HP Latex white ink applications and their large format printing solutions will be showcased at FESPA 2025 in Berlin.

30-04-2025