The textile printing industry represents 30 billion yards of material volume on an annual basis worldwide. However after a decade of advances in digital printing technologies for textiles, only two per cent of the world’s printed textiles are produced digitally.

There is a growing demand for a greater variety of colours and designs at quicker turnaround cycles. Textile designers are rethinking their approach to production and manufacturing of textiles. Digital textile production is becoming the cost-effective choice for brands. Digital printing on textiles is done today mainly on polyester fabrics using dye sublimation.

Digital printing is a relatively new technology in the textile market. It has dual applications in printing, acting both as a sampling and as a production tool. In sampling, digital printing offers immediate results, provides tremendous flexibility in design and coloration while saving time and money. As a production tool it helps in minimising inventory waste as there is no discharge of dyes and chemicals, reducing downtimes, and cutting costs and providing the option of mass customisation.