Digital Textiles in 2024: Key Innovations and a Look Ahead to Impressions Expo 2025
We connected with Johnny Shell to reflect on 2024’s Digital Textile Milestones and to look forward to Impressions Expo 2025.
And 2024 did not disappoint. The past year has offered plenty of excitement for the digital textile industry. By the end of the year, microfactories emerged, artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into design workflows, and the global market for digital textile printing experienced significant growth. In fact, according to Keypoint Intelligence’s 2023-2028 Global Digital Textile Forecast, digital textile printing is predicted to expand by 88% through 2028, growing at a 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The days of ‘make more, then hope to sell it’ has started to fade, replaced by agile manufacturing and nearshore facilities that deliver precisely what consumers want—no more, no less. These statistics highlight the momentum behind these innovations and points to even more dynamic changes on the horizon.
Looking closer at 2024, the microfactory model gained substantial traction by shifting traditional production methods toward a ‘design-sell-make’ approach. Companies such as Rodinia Generation champion this strategy, producing items only after they are sold—thereby reducing overproduction and waste. Another characteristic of this approach is nearshoring, which places manufacturing facilities close to key markets, cutting down shipping distances and improving turnaround times.
Source: Tech.eu
Sustainability remained a core focus in 2024, with waterless printing, closed-loop systems, and innovative fibres playing important roles. Circulose, for instance, has made strides in recycling textile waste into new raw materials, while bacterial cellulose-based fabrics offer a lower resource footprint compared to conventional textiles. These efforts reflect a broader change in the industry toward responsible production practices that address both environmental and social concerns.
Now onto AI—the word currently on everyone’s lips. Machine learning tools sprang up to tackle everything from automated textile sorting for recycling to advanced design generation for clothing lines. Even more impressive was the rise of generative AI, which can take decades-old patterns and breathe fresh life into them or come up entirely new designs.
As we turn toward 2025, the decorated apparel community is looking forward to the upcoming Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California, hosted by Impressions Magazine. From January 23–25, the Long Beach Convention Center will feature an range of screen printing presses, direct-to-film (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) solutions, as well as booth after booth of innovative textiles. Heavy hitters such as ROQ, M&R, STAHLS’, and Ricoma will line the aisles, each demonstrating tools that aim to speed up production without compromising quality. Kornit, for one, has hinted at live demonstrations of its newest Apollo system, along with eye-catching neon prints and textured effects at its Innovation Hub (Booth #1061).
Sustainability will feature heavily, with many vendors presenting eco-friendly inks and equipment that use less energy. Those who appreciate behind-the-scenes knowledge can enrol in educational tracks (starting January 22) on advanced graphic design techniques, heat-applied graphics, or the essentials of screen printing. The casual ‘Shop Talk’ events, hosted by the Ink Kitchen, promise quick-hit discussions on everything from colour separation to shop-floor problem solving.
All in all, over 300 exhibitors—spread across a huge 124,000 square feet—will greet the more than 10,000 expected visitors. There’s also room for fun. A live poster-printing station will feature artwork paying homage to Long Beach icon Snoop Dogg, with all proceeds going to local nonprofits.
For those who crave fresh ideas, the expo guarantees live demonstrations, interactive sessions, and more networking opportunities than you can shake a squeegee at. Attendees will be able to put products to the test themselves and compare them side by side, taking the guesswork out of big purchasing decisions. If 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that innovation and responsibility can coexist. Step into 2025 with an open mind and a willingness to adapt, and you’ll find yourself perfectly positioned to be part of the drive of the industry’s next phase of growth.
For more info on upcoming Impressions Expo in Long Beach, visit the official event website at longbeach.impressionsexpo.com.
Keep pace with the changing print landscape by browsing Keypoint’s Industry Reports page for the newest information on digital textile and decorated apparel. Log in to the InfoCenter to view related research and studies through their Textile & Apparel Advisory Service. Not a subscriber? Contact Keypoint Ingelligence for more information.