Digital Textile Printing Market - Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth And Forecast 2024 - 2030

Digital Textile Printing Market Overview

The Digital Textile Printing market size is forecast to reach USD 7.46 billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 12.4% during 2024-2030. The growing emphasis on sustainable practices within the fashion industry is driving the digital textile printing market towards eco-friendly innovations. As consumers and manufacturers become more environmentally conscious, there is a rising demand for sustainable printing methods. This includes the adoption of natural dyes from plants, minerals, and waste materials, along with the development of recyclable and biodegradable inks. These advancements not only reduce the environmental impact of textile production but also align with the increasing consumer preference for sustainable products, making them a key driver for the growth of the digital textile printing market.

The growing demand for mass customization in the fashion industry is a significant driver for the digital textile printing market. As digital printing technology advances, it enables consumers to personalize textiles on demand, offering an unparalleled level of individual expression and style. This includes customized patterns, color combinations, and tailored fits, making the possibilities for personalized textiles virtually limitless. The accessibility and prevalence of mass customization meet the increasing consumer desire for unique and bespoke fashion items, thereby propelling the growth of the digital textile printing market

Report Coverage

The report “Digital Textile Printing Market– Forecast (2024-2030)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Digital Textile Printing market.

By Printing Technique: Roll to Roll, DTG

By Ink Type: Sublimation, Reactive, Acid, Pigment, Others

By Fabrics: Cotton, Viscose, Wool, Silk, Polyamide Lycra, Polyester, Others

By Application: Clothing, Banner, Flags, Carpets, Bed Covers, Soft signage, Others

By Geography:  North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific

Key Takeaways

• The introduction of Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd.'s "Tiger600-1800TS" roll-to-roll sublimation transfer inkjet textile printer marks a significant growth prospect for the digital textile printing market. This advanced printer, which debuted at ITMA in Milan in June 2024, exemplifies the potential for enhanced productivity and efficiency in textile printing. With its high-speed capabilities and superior performance, the Tiger600-1800TS is poised to drive the digital transformation of textile printing.
• Cotton Fabrics dominated the digital textile printing market occupying a 53.5% share in 2024, followed by viscose, wool, silk, polyamide lycra, polyester, and others. Cotton remains one of the most popular fabrics due to its comfort and versatility, driving demand for digital textile printing to create customized and on-demand fashion items.
• The rise of fast fashion and changing consumer preferences have heightened the demand for quick turnaround times in the apparel industry. Digital textile printing provides faster production cycles compared to traditional methods by removing the need for extensive setup processes like screen printing. This results in reduced lead times and quicker time-to-market. The flexibility and responsiveness to shifting fashion trends make digital textile printing a favored choice for clothing manufacturers and brands, allowing them to effectively navigate the ever-changing fashion landscape.

By Printing Technique - Segment Analysis

Roll to Roll dominated the Digital Textile Printing market in 2024. Roll-to-roll printing (R2R) led the digital textile printing market in 2024, accounting for 65.42% of the total. The R2R printers can handle a wide variety of fabrics, including natural fibers (cotton, silk, wool) and synthetic materials (polyester, nylon). This versatility accelerates the market expansion by making R2R feasible in a wide range of applications, including home décor, soft signage, as well as fashion. The significant increase in the speed of printing technology is driving the R2R digital textile printing market. According to the Federation of European Screen Printers Associations (FESPA), there has been a massive hike in printing speeds, from approximately 50 meters/hour just a few years ago to over 1800 meters/hour using the latest scanning machines. This leap in technology underscores the rapid advancements in the industry, enabling faster production times and enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of R2R printing.

Digital roll-to-roll printing supports customization and short runs, enabling manufacturers to quickly switch designs and produce personalized products. This flexibility is particularly valuable in the fast-paced fashion industry. Furthermore, the R2R digital textile printing market is experiencing dynamic growth, fueled by advancements in printhead technology and ink formulations. For example, companies like Xaar, Epson, and Ricoh have made substantial contributions to boosting inkjet usage in the textile industry.

By Ink Type - Segment Analysis

Sublimation dominated the Digital Textile Printing market in 2024. The growth prospects for sublimation inks in the digital textile printing market are highly promising. Sublimation inks have become the dominant segment due to their ability to produce vibrant and saturated colors, making them highly desirable for textile applications. Sublimation inks produce vibrant, saturated colors that are directly bonded to the textile fibers, resulting in long-lasting prints that are resistant to fading and washing. Sublimation printing is considered more environmentally friendly compared to traditional printing methods because it reduces water and chemical waste. This appeals to both manufacturers and consumers who are increasingly prioritizing sustainability.

Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tomi-shi, Nagano Prefecture, is renowned for its industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers. The company unveiled the "Tiger600-1800TS," a roll-to-roll sublimation transfer inkjet textile printer, at the ITMA exhibition in Milan, Italy, in June 2023. The rise in demand for customized and personalized textile products has boosted the adoption of sublimation inks, as they enable high-quality, on-demand printing suitable for short runs and unique designs.

By Fabrics - Segment Analysis

Cotton dominated the Digital Textile Printing market in 2024. Cotton's remarkable ability to absorb moisture and hold it together over time makes it a popular fabric for sportswear and fashion. Fashionable clothing can benefit greatly from its exceptional printability and durability. Cotton's softness, ease of washing, and visual appeal make it a favorite material for home decor items including tablecloths, curtains, pillow coverings, and bedsheets. The demand for cotton fabrics with digital printing is rising due to these advantageous features.

For instance, on 15th March 2024, Premier Digital Textiles, one of the leading suppliers of high-quality coated textiles in Europe for digital textile printing, unveiled two innovative products at FESPA. The company, dedicated to breaking new ground in the textile industry, introduced two innovative products: a biodegradable polyester that is also intended for the digital printing sector, and 100% recycled cotton that is ready for digital printing. The efficiency and effectiveness of printing on cotton fabrics have increased owing to developments in digital textile printing technology. Better ink formulas, faster print times, and more dependable print heads are some of these enhancements. High degrees of personalization and customization are possible with digital textile printing, meeting consumer demand for distinctive goods. Cotton is a popular material for bespoke prints because of its flexibility to take on a variety of patterns and designs.

By Application – Segment Analysis

Clothing dominated the dominated the Digital Textile Printing market in 2024. Customers can add distinctive patterns, graphics, and text to their jeans to make them uniquely their due to the great degree of personalization offered by digital textile printing. Younger shoppers looking for distinctive looks find this trend toward personalized clothing especially tempting. Designs that are challenging to accomplish with conventional techniques can be made complex and colorful with digital textile printing. More imaginative and visually appealing jeans are possible owing to this technology. 
When manufacturing, designers can continuously alter the pattern and color. Additionally, designers have countless options owing to the infinite color combinations and design variety that digital textile printing offers. As a result, there is now a whole new market for individualized fashion items like t-shirts with customized printing. For instance, in 2021,  Roland DGA introduced the release of its latest Texart™ XT-640S, a multi-station direct-to-garment printer that offers exceptional productivity, adaptability, and versatility at a significantly reduced cost compared to high-volume industrial DTG machines. The distinctive characteristics and capabilities of the XT-640S empower screen printers and other printing professionals to expand their offers T-shirt printing and more.

By Geography - Segment Analysis

Europe dominated the dominated the Digital Textile Printing market in 2024. The United Kingdom has emerged as a significant player in the digital textile printing market, building upon its historical strength in the fashion and textile industry.  London's status as a global fashion capital, coupled with the industry's demand for rapid production cycles, has created a fertile ground for this technology. British consumers' inclination for unique and personalized products aligns perfectly with digital printing's ability to offer mass customization. The UK's growing emphasis on sustainability also benefits digital textile printing, as the technology offers eco-friendly advantages. Germany stands as a pivotal player in the global digital textile printing market, bolstered by its robust textile industry, technological prowess, and a strong commitment to sustainability. 

Firstly, the country's established fashion and textile industry, renowned for high-quality products, is increasingly adopting digital printing to meet the demands of rapid fashion cycles and customization. Secondly, German consumers, with a keen eye for quality and sustainability, are driving the demand for eco-friendly and personalized products, which align seamlessly with digital printing's benefits. For instance, the German government invested €150 million in textile technology research and development between 2018 and 2022, fostering innovation in the sector. Despite challenges such as high initial investment costs and skilled labor shortages, the overall growth prospects for digital textile printing in Germany remain exceptionally promising.

Drivers – Digital Textile Printing Market

• The rise of e-commerce apparel shopping

E-commerce is playing a crucial role in driving the growth of the digital textile printing market. E-commerce platforms allow for a high degree of customization, which aligns perfectly with the capabilities of digital textile printing. For instance, companies like Printful, Printify, and Redbubble rely heavily on digital textile printing to fulfill custom orders. Online fashion brands like Zara have adopted digital printing to quickly adapt to changing trends. In commerce apparel, cutting-edge technology like virtual reality, 3D modeling, and artificial intelligence are being included more and more which could significantly increase online apparel shopping.

• Rising demand in Asia Pacific due to the region's financial stability and government assistance  

Due in large part to the region's financial stability and government assistance, the textile printing industry in the Asia Pacific area is expected to develop significantly in the future. Many global and regional companies are establishing manufacturing and research facilities in Asia-Pacific, benefiting from lower labor costs and access to local markets. This has led to increased production capacity and innovation in digital textile printing technologies. For instance, in 2023, Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. installed several units of its JV330 series, a high-speed eco solvent-based machine, and the TxF150-75 direct-to-film printer (DTF) across India. India's digital textile printing industry is anticipated to expand at a 14.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2025 and 2030. The market for digital textile printing will be driven by the growing domestic demand.

• Rising Demand for Roll to Roll

Roll to Roll dominated the Digital Textile Printing market in 2024. Roll-to-roll printing (R2R) led the digital textile printing market in 2024, accounting for 65.42% of the total. The R2R printers can handle a wide variety of fabrics, including natural fibers (cotton, silk, wool) and synthetic materials (polyester, nylon). This versatility accelerates the market expansion by making R2R feasible in a wide range of applications, including home décor, soft signage, as well as fashion.

Challenges – Digital Textile Printing Market

• Higher investment cost

The initial investment in digital printing machinery can be quite substantial, making it less accessible for small-scale operations. Additionally, the cost of specialized inks can be higher compared to traditional printing inks. Digital textile printing machines require a higher investment than conventional printing machines when comparing the total cost of ownership (water, energy, operators, service costs, ink, post-treatment of the fabric, etc.) between conventional printing and digital printing, For instance, according to SPG Prints, one meter of digital textile printing costs approximately 1.5 times more than conventional printing.

Single-pass printing costs more than multi-pass printing. Single-pass printing is a contemporary printing process that allows for faster printing with improved quality. To enable quicker printing, additional print heads are necessary. Print heads are expensive components, and the more print heads a printer has, the more expensive it is.

• Price volatility of raw materials

The textile sector is facing growing energy costs, which have resulted in triple-digit increases in operational overheads (globally) for several producers. The growing cost of energy affects all levels of the supply chain, including fabrics, chemicals, and ink manufacturing. In turn, the cost of raw materials continues to challenge the textile printing industry.

The price of pigments, resins, and other ink components can vary based on supply and demand, as well as technological advancements. Pre-treatment and post-treatment chemicals used in the textile printing process are subject to price fluctuations. In March 2021, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) has warned that a lack of critical raw materials and packaging, as well as major price hikes, could be the most pressing challenges for the coatings and printing ink industries in 2021.

Market Landscape

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Digital Textile Printing market. In 2024, the Digital Textile Printing market share has been consolidated by the major players accounting for 36% of the share. Major players in the Digital Textile Printing market are Ricoh Company Ltd, Seiko Epson, Brother Industries among others.

Developments:

• February 15, 2024, The Ricoh Ri 4000 Direct to Garment Printer is released which is a  creative method that is affordable yields vibrant, superior, personalized prints on 100% polyester.  The newest system in Ricoh's rapidly expanding line of Direct To Film and DTG printers is designed to print brilliant colors on polyester with unparalleled durability.
• December 22, 2023, The construction of an additional manufacturing facility at Akita Epson Corporation has finished and upon operating, the new factory, which cost 3.5 billion yen to build, would almost increase Akita Epson's future printhead capacity for manufacturing.
• September 20, 2023, Durst Group increases its emphasis on environmentally friendly digital printing solutions by acquiring Aleph SrL.

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