Can the US textile and apparel industry capitalise on the dynamic growth of digital fabric printing to WTiN North America Digital Textile Conference, to reinvigorate ‘Made in America’ manufacturing? That’s the question that will be examined at the conference which will take place in New York on July 13.

Digital textile printing grew globally by 28 per cent in 2015 to reach output of 1.2 billion square meters, supported by rapid investment in high-speed industrial machinery and inks. Print design has evolved to take advantage of its new opportunities, while leading brands and retailers have embraced shorter product development cycles and new, more responsive supply chain models – often involving production close to the final customer. The technology has also led to the blossoming of a new industry of personalized web-to-consumer printing on demand.

The US is already participating in this boom, with a global market share of more than 6 per cent and a growth rate last year of over 40 per cent. In this background, the WTiN North America Digital Textile Conference will take place at the Javits Convention Center, alongside the leading Texworld USA fabric show, on Wednesday, July 13. Sponsors are Kiian Digital, Lubrizol, SPGPrints, Sensient Technology, Expand Systems and Diamond Dispersions.