Textile printers and finishers in Eastern and Central Europe are increasingly investing in inkjet technology as they expand services to international markets.

Latvia is a case in point, with the digital textile printing sector in this Baltic state gaining momentum, supported by innovative methods and a strong focus on export markets. Sublimation and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing are both expanding in the Latvian finishing sector.

Madara Priediena, of Printful Latvia’s research and development (R&D) department, said: “Sublimation is favoured for its vibrant results and suitability for polyester-based products, while DTG is widely used for producing high-quality, small-batch prints on ready-made garments made from natural fibres.”

She continued: “These methods align with the growing demand for customisation, fast turnaround times and high-quality prints, particularly in export-driven industries like e-commerce.”

Export-focused production is key for Latvian finishers, given the small domestic market of 1.8 million, with major markets including the US, Germany and the UK. Riga-headquartered Printful, a leading player in Latvia’s digital textile printing sector, is a local market leader with a network of overseas fulfilment centres.

The company highlights advances in eco-friendly inks, automation in production workflows and optimised RIP (raster image processor) software intensifying colour accuracy as areas of development,