From Imagination to Fabric: Exploring Generative AI with ROQ and Printbox

ROQ and Printbox's upcoming session at SmartHub Conference at Personalisation Experience will demonstrate real-time AI-powered t-shirt personalisation. Attendees will be able to create designs with AI, printed live on ROQ's DTG printers. This will showcase the power of combining generative AI with on-demand printing, revolutionising customer experience and apparel customisation.

At this year’s SmartHub Conference at FESPA Personalisation Experience, innovation takes centre stage as ROQ proudly joins forces with Printbox to present a unique live session: “GenAI meets POD”. This panel is not just a discussion — it's a demonstration of how generative AI and cutting-edge print technology can work hand in hand to deliver powerful, personalised experiences in real time.

The session promises to be one of the highlights of the event, showcasing how intuitive AI design tools and advanced Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing solutions can redefine the customer journey — from creative concept to tangible product — in just a few simple steps.

A Collaboration Built on Innovation

This collaboration between ROQ and Printbox was born from a shared ambition: to explore what’s next in the world of personalized apparel. With Printbox bringing its advanced generative AI tools for custom design, and ROQ providing the production power to bring those designs to life, the result is a seamless bridge between imagination and execution.

The session invites attendees to engage directly with the process. With the guidance of Printbox, selected audience members will generate their own t-shirt designs using AI on the spot. These designs will then be printed in real time using ROQ’s advanced DTG solutions — available just moments later at ROQ’s booth on the show floor.

The Power of Generative AI in Apparel

The integration of generative AI in the print-on-demand market is more than a trend — it represents a fundamental shift in how consumers engage with products and brands. By offering the ability to create truly unique visuals in seconds, AI empowers both creatives and casual users to become designers, reducing the barriers to personalisation and production.

What makes this experience even more compelling is the speed and accuracy with which these designs can be turned into physical products. The Printbox tool showcased during the panel allows for instant creation of artwork, and with ROQ’s industrial-grade DTG printers, these digital visions are transformed into high-quality apparel without delay.

Real-Time Production, Real Impact

The practical component of the panel — allowing audience members to design and then immediately receive their printed t-shirts — serves as a compelling demonstration of the agility and responsiveness of today’s print-on-demand workflows.

Participants will be redirected to ROQ’s booth, where they will be able to witness their final product being printed live. This not only bridges the gap between design and production but also provides a tangible takeaway that reinforces the power of personalisation.

Whether it’s a playful graphic, an AI-generated pattern, a personal message, or an original logo, each shirt becomes a wearable memory of the session — and proof that advanced technology doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.

Why ROQ?

As a global manufacturer of high-performance screen and digital printing machines, ROQ has always placed innovation at the core of its mission. With more than four decades of experience in the textile printing industry, the company has continued to evolve by investing in automation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions.

In this panel, ROQ brings not just the equipment but also the mindset to support flexible, on-demand production. With machines designed to be operated by a single person, minimal setup times, and the ability to produce one-off designs without screens, ROQ solutions are perfectly aligned with the fast-paced, highly personalised workflows that define the future of fashion and merchandising.

A New Standard for Customer Experience

The “GenAI meets POD” session isn’t just a live demo — it’s a preview of how retail, merchandising, and branded content can evolve in the coming years. In a market that increasingly demands speed, customisation, and digital engagement, the combination of AI-powered creativity and industrial-grade printing offers a competitive edge.

Instead of separating the design and production stages, this workflow unifies them — creating a seamless, interactive, and deeply engaging customer experience. It allows for experimentation, expression, and immediacy, transforming the way businesses approach customisation at scale.

Looking Ahead

ROQ is proud to be part of this pioneering initiative and looks forward to engaging with FESPA attendees who are curious about the intersection of AI, automation, and apparel. The company invites everyone to attend the session, explore the technology, and experience firsthand what the future of print-on-demand feels like.

And if you're visiting the show, don’t forget to bring or wear your favourite design — there just might be a chance to see it reimagined through the lens of generative AI and printed while you wait.

SmartHub Conference is  a dedicated information programme within the show floor bringing smart, intelligent production to the forefront with an array of insightful content sessions. Register here to visit the conference and Personalisation Experience from 6 - 9 May at Messe Berlin in Germany.