Sportswear

Sportswear Pro and co-located events to uncover innovations for on-demand garment manufacturing

by FESPA Staff | 12/03/2024
Sportswear Pro and co-located events to uncover innovations for  on-demand garment manufacturing

With just a week to go until Sportswear Pro 2024 (19 – 22 March, RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands), a host of international exhibitors are preparing to showcase their latest technologies in garment production, design and decoration.

Sportswear Pro comprises a dedicated exhibition space covering all aspects of on-demand, customised sportswear production from digital printing, to embroidery and heat sealing, and software solutions for process automation and supply chain management. Sportswear Pro will also be host to a dedicated conference programme, taking place on 21 March 2024.

Alongside Sportswear Pro, FESPA will host FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo and Personalisation Experience (from 19 – 22 March 2024), enabling visitors to explore the breadth of technologies involved with speciality print, signage and personalisation in a single venue, as well as access networking opportunities and learn about industry trends.

On display

At Sportswear Pro, a number of digital printing solutions will be showcased by Valadio, a Czech Republic based print-on-demand business that delivers personalised products to key European markets. The company will exhibit printing technologies for items such as clothing, bags and badges.

From equipment to digitisation software, a multitude of embroidery innovations will be displayed by: Cre8iveskills, a specialist in digitising, vector art conversion and embroidered patches; Tajima, which manufactures single- and multi-head embroidery machines; and ZSK, which creates high quality machines for sportswear embroidery.

German heat printing equipment company Stahls will exhibit its digitally printed UltraColor MAX and hybrid UltraColor transfers, as well as its Hotronix® heat presses. In addition, user-friendly web-to-print software used to enhance and streamline personalisation will be presented by Antigro Designer, Kit Builder, Optimus, Punch Cloud and XMPie.

Solutions beyond sportswear

Sportswear Pro aims to highlight to visitors the synergies between sportswear and the wider printing industry. In light of this, there will also be a number of exhibitors showcasing solutions that can be used in sportswear manufacturing – as well as a wider use of printing applications – within FESPA Global Print Expo. For example: FESPA Global Print Expo sponsors Brother and Mimaki will showcase their digital printers for customisation and finishing, including the latex wide format printer, WF1-L640 (Brother) and the roll-to-roll LED-UV printer, UJV100-160Plus (Mimaki). Other exhibitors at FESPA Global Print Expo will include: Auxicolor, spotlighting its digital printing inks; Epson, JHF Print, Kornit Digital, Leaf, MS Printing Solutions, Todo Jet and Universe Production displaying digital presses capable of printing on textiles and more; Hasler, Meevo and Nite, who will exhibit cutting innovations; and B-Flex, Coveme and Shock Line, who will display heating and sealing solutions.

Additional features

Delegates can also purchase tickets for the Sportswear Pro conference (21 March, 2024), where they will have the opportunity to learn about manufacturing, production and circularity across the sportswear supply chain. Moderated by FESPA’s Personalisation Ambassador, Richard Askam, the conference will explore topics such as: the latest innovations for materials and fabrics in sportswear design; creating value with personalisation; sustainability and trends; how circularity lies in product design; the use of AI in sportswear design; and aligning productivity and demand.

The sessions will be presented by spokespersons from: 5THREAD, Circular Concept Lab, Copper Global, Cobalt, Desinder, Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), Pattern Project, Printful, RWTH Aachen University and The Good Factory. The full Sportswear Pro 2024 conference schedule can be found here. Conference tickets are priced at €295.

In addition, Personalise Make Wear will run alongside Sportswear Pro. Hosted by FESPA’s Textile Ambassador and CEO of Textintel, Debbie McKeegan, the smart factory will highlight, live and in-person, the end-to-end production and personalisation of sportswear, as well as sports-related merchandise. It will also comprise catwalks displaying finished items; fireside chats focused on the latest innovations and processes in the field; and expert-guided tours of the latest technologies for personalised products. Participating brands include Antigro Designer, Caldera, Coldenhove, Dekken, InkCups,  Greentex, Kleiverik, Kornit, MS Group, SEI Laster, Stahls and Tajima.

Michael Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo and Sportswear Pro at FESPA, comments: “Sportswear Pro is fast approaching and we’re excited to showcase numerous innovations involved with the various stages of the sportwear manufacturing process. Attendees will be able to gain a deeper understanding of how sportswear is designed, developed and produced, as well as how it can be created in more sustainable ways and last for longer. With our numerous co-located events taking place under one roof (RAI, The Netherlands), visitors will get to see innovations which can be used in a multitude of printing and manufacturing processes, including the creation of sportswear clothing and garments. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Amsterdam and we’re confident they will uncover new opportunities across all four shows.”

All members of a FESPA national Association or FESPA Direct can gain free access to Sportswear Pro and the co-located events, and the ticket price for non-members is €80.00. For more information about Sportswear Pro 2024 and to register, visit here. :

by FESPA Staff Back to News

Interested in joining our community?

Enquire today about joining your local FESPA Association or FESPA Direct

Enquire Today

Recent news

Special Effects in DTF Will Make Your “Prints” More Memorable
Substrates

Special Effects in DTF Will Make Your “Prints” More Memorable

The DTF market is expanding with new vendors and innovations like multi-head printers enabling diverse ink options (spot, neon). Decorative films offer streamlined special effects. Keypoint Intelligence tested metallic and glitter films, noting varied ease of use and wash durability. New technology using adhesive and foil directly promises further creative advancements in DTF.

24-04-2025
SmartHub – Expectations, opportunities and why you should attend!
Personalisation

SmartHub – Expectations, opportunities and why you should attend!

The SmartHub at Personalisation Experience 2025 in Berlin will showcase personalisation and smart production opportunities across industries like textiles. Featuring a Smart Factory Trail with brands like Inkcups and Trotec, and a conference with experts discussing AI, mass customisation, and profit strategies, it offers insights into reducing waste and boosting efficiency through digital methods. Panel sessions will explore growth, automation in textiles, and smart manufacturing.

24-04-2025
How is AI revolutionising Large Format Print?
AI

How is AI revolutionising Large Format Print?

Nessan Clearly discusses how AI in print relies on data pattern matching, already enhancing software for large format providers. He predicts that this will result in increased AI integration in workflow planning, job queue management, colour correction, image upscaling, and predictive maintenance via sensors and vision systems, ultimately streamlining operations and offering greater flexibility.

24-04-2025
One Ink for All? Exploring Pigment in Textile Printing
Inks

One Ink for All? Exploring Pigment in Textile Printing

Digital textile printing faces complexity due to diverse substrates requiring specific inks. The industry seeks a universal ink, with pigment ink showing potential. While traditionally for natural fibres, advancements aim to broaden its application, simplify processes by reducing pre/post-treatment, and improve sustainability, though challenges like hand feel on garments remain.

23-04-2025