About the Report
Sales of digitally printed textiles were on a strong upward trajectory until the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020. Since then, the market has witnessed tremendous disruptions, some of which continue to endure. The key disruption in 2020 was the abrupt and untimely shutdown of textile manufacturing units due to stringent lockdowns that were enforced in several countries. Now, when the lockdowns have eased, the market is witnessing disruptions due to protectionist tendencies being adopted by major textile producing countries to boost their indigenous textile manufacturing units. The recent imposition of tariffs by Indonesia on Bangladeshi textiles is a prominent development in this regard.
Furthermore, with analogue printing still being cheaper to digital textile printing, some countries are encouraging printers to take up analogue printing since this offers greater employment opportunities to semi-skilled labourers at a time when unemployment rates are reaching dangerous levels. At the same time, the ability of these incentives to materialise remains circumspect given the advances that continue to be made in digital printing. Aside from input side disruptions, sales of digital printed textiles have also suffered from disruptions in key consumption segments, especially the hospitality segment. These factors have rendered the market volatile.
Having said this, certain factors are also working favourably for the market. With technological improvements in digital printing, products are getting more pervasive and a greater number of players are getting involved in the market. Furthermore, the pre-pandemic demand for printed textiles in home decors has sustained in some key markets despite the economic slowdown. However, the ability of key players in the market to leverage these opportunities will depend on how they accommodate and account for the disruptions being witnessed.
Digital Textile Printing Market Outlook
The market for digital textile printing is heading towards a growth phase. This is primarily due to a noteworthy surge in demand for silk, polyester clothing with customized printing design. This has created tremendous opportunities in digital textile printing, and whilst new types of applications are pioneered by digital technologies, several traditional textile applications are likely to shift to digital.
Digital décor is a rapidly expanding new market. While posters and wallpaper have been printed for years, décor items such as curtains, drapes, tables, furniture coverings, chairs, etc. are now digitally printed. Not all of these items are to be printed on all kinds of textile material, however, for some aspects of decor for example-curtains is difficult to envision a "hard" substrate. Wallcoverings are likely to be a prominent growth area in this segment; undeniably, the entire segment of digital decor will be foreseeing strong growth.
One of the biggest challenges faced by the market is still being overlooked in textile printing due to its high per printed meter cost. While analog printing still offers a better cost per unit on huge print runs. However, in the upcoming months, the need for versatile orders and fast delivery might weigh more to businesses in contrast to per printed meter costs, accelerating the uptake of digital printing in the sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic has a devastating impact on the textile sector, with regards to lockdowns all over the globe, closing factories, general retail shutdown, supply chain disruption, and plummeting demand. As businesses and customers have reprioritized, garment producers and their retail partners in several nations have shifted to eCommerce.
Another biggest challenged, during the crisis for companies to ascertain that digital printing techniques meet the quality expectations-based on the resolution, color, and other such aspects which customer expects from analog textile printing, as there is a shortage of labor force. Companies moving to get into this space are required to consider this aspect before leaping.
Market Players Stay Focused on Direct to Fabric (DTF) Printing
Direct to Fabric (DTF) printing is highly suitable while considering non-polyester fibers such as silk, cotton, and nylon. Additionally, polyester applications that need deep ink penetration, including printing on flags, leverage this direct process technique. The DTF printing process would generate over 50% total returns to stakeholders over the decade ahead. Direct to garment (DTG) printing also captures a relevant share in overall market revenue. However, this is slow and cost-prohibitive, and, as such, is expected to witness drop in adoption.
North America - Epicenter of Investment Opportunities
North America, capturing around one-third of total revenue growth, continues to offer value-creation opportunities. Strong presence of digital natives and leading players are propelling market growth in this developed region. Furthermore, this study reveals that, the U.S. represents the most worthwhile region for the market. While Latin America’s market is seeing top-line growth, the markets in East Asia and Europe will enter the billion-dollar club towards the end of the projection period.
Promotional and Marketing Campaigns - Prospective Application Area
End-use industries such as personal care, food & beverages, automotive, and pharmacy are embracing digital textile printing on their sales advertising tools such as shopping points and banners. Sales promotions play an instrumental role in enhancing customer engagement and retention.
Compared to flexographic printing machines, digital textile printing delivers greater visibility, elegance, and eye-catching graphics to banners and displays. Rising competition in the market is spurring promotional activities, and, as such, brand owners are increasingly turning to digital textile printing equipment.
How Growth will Unfold
Sublimation inks offer prolonged service life and better stability, and are thus are a favorable option for digital textile printing on polyester used in the fashion, sports, and furnishing industries. Around 5 out of 10 market players prefer sublimation inks for digital textile printing. Reactive inks, on the other hand, are preferable for inking cotton and other natural fibers at home and in art studios with high quality. That being said, their usage will slide in the coming years, as they lead to soil contamination.
Digital Textile Printing Market Report Scope
| Attribute | Details |
| Forecast Period | 2014-2018 |
| Historical Data Available for | 2019-2029 |
| Market Analysis | US$ Mn for Value and Tons for Volume |
| Key Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) |
| Key Countries Covered | U.S, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Poland, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Nordic Region, Benelux, Rest of Europe, China, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Rest of South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, GCC, Turkey, South Africa, and Rest of MEA |
| Key Segments Covered | Printing Process, Ink, Substrate, End-use, and Region |
| Key Companies Profiled |
|
| Report Coverage | Market Overview, Key Market Trends, Key Success Factors, Demand Analysis, Market Background, COVID-19 Analysis, Segmental Analysis, Regional Profiling, Market Structure & Competition Analysis |
| Customization & Pricing |
DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING MARKET TAXONOMY
The global digital textile printing market is segmented in detail to cover every aspect of the market and present a complete market intelligence approach to the readers.
Printing Process
- Direct to Garment (DTG)
- Dye Sublimation
- Direct to Fabric (DTF)
Ink
- Sublimation
- Reactive
- Acid
- Direct Disperse
- Pigment
Substrate
- Cotton
- Silk
- Rayon
- Linen
- Polyester
- Others (Wool)
End Use
- Clothing
- Households
- Display
- Technical Textiles
Region
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- South Asia
- East Asia
- Oceania
- MEA
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by - Sudip Saha, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Future Market Insights
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