DT SECTOR ANALYSIS TN
3 February 2025 Sector Analysis

Digital printing market resolute despite setbacks

By Joseph Link

Positivity around digital textile printing technology grew by 3% in the second half of 2024, but that marked a significant slowdown. How are last year’s challenges set to influence 2025? Joseph Link reports.

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Many companies in the digital textile printing market are experiencing significant growth, driven by rising demand for sustainable, customised and on-demand production. Advances in inkjet technology – encompassing direct-to-film (DTF) innovations, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of pigment printing – are improving print quality and efficiency while minimising water and energy consumption.

By enhancing fabric compatibility, inkjet technology now supports a wide range of textile applications, from fashion to home furnishings. Garment printing solutions also gained momentum in 2024 with DTF printing taking centre stage. Despite its growth, the industry faced significant challenges, with inflation a core concern. High energy prices weakened consumer confidence across key applications and increased both fixed and variable business costs. Nevertheless, the digital textile printing market has outperformed analogue sectors, gradually growing its global output share.

The growth of inkjet textile printing is a result of the digitalisation of textile supply chains, which offer numerous benefits, including improved transparency, efficiency and sustainability. Real-time data tracking enables better decision-making, reducing waste and optimising resource use, while automation and digital platforms streamline production and inventory management, shortening lead times to meet increasingly stringent market demands.

Enhanced collaboration across the supply chain improves 

 

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