TEXINTEL

In this podcast, Debbie McKeegan interviews Francesco Nozza, the business development manager at Epson Italia, together they discuss the future of industrial direct to textile printing. They explore key market insights for Autumn 2024, the impact of e-commerce on fashion and sportswear, and the innovative solutions Epson offers to meet the changing demands of the textile industry. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability, the shift from traditional to digital printing, and the advancements in Epson's Monna Lisa suite of machines. Francesco emphasises the need for innovation and the role of Genesta inks in achieving high-quality results while reducing environmental impact…

In this podcast episode, Debbie McKeegan and Adrienne Palmer discuss the emerging technology of Direct to Film (DTF) printing, its applications in the apparel industry, and its potential to disrupt traditional printing methods.

They explore the fundamentals of DTF, its sustainability benefits, and the challenges of quality and design.

The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of DTF printing comparing it with Direct to Garment (DTG) printing, and speculating on the future of garment decoration, including the role of automation and AI.

Jeremy Parker, former CEO of swag.com and founder of SwagSpace, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of the promotional marketplace.

He started as a documentary filmmaker but pivoted to entrepreneurship after realising his passion and skill set didn't align with filmmaking. He started a t-shirt company and eventually founded swag.com, which became the fastest-growing company in the promotional space.

Now, with SwagSpace, Parker aims to revolutionise the industry by providing a free platform for promo distributors to streamline their sales process and become the de facto supplier”

Listen to learn more…

Empowering Women in Print

This conversation is about women in the print industry and the organizations that support and empower them. The guests, Lisbeth Lyons and Sarah Fenna, discuss the Women in Print Alliance and Women in Signs and Graphics, respectively.

In conversation they talk about the challenges faced by women in the industry and the need for more representation and support. They also discuss the importance of engaging with education and attracting the next generation of women to the print industry. The conversation ends with a call out to the industry for support, collaboration and the sharing of ideas and resources.

This podcast features the audio from our recent Textile Workshop. Held at Hybrid Services, and surrounded by the latest digital printing technologies within the Mimaki demonstration centre, experts and industry professionals gathered for a day of Insight, Inspiration and Knowledge transfer. 

During the roundtable discussion, centred on the “Future of On-demand Textile Production” the conversation focused on key market shifts and challenges in the textile industry.

The participants discuss various perspectives, including applications, materials, fabric innovations, and industry-wide changes. They highlight the demand for high-speed printing, stable colours, and sustainability.

This podcast features the roundtable discussion between thought leaders: Kerry Bannigan, Ross Newens and Matt Neville and revolves around the challenges facing the fashion industry in 2024, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and supply chain transparency.

In conversation they discuss the need for education and knowledge sharing to drive environmental best practices and the importance of financial commitment to scale sustainable solutions. They also highlight the potential of on-demand manufacturing and the adoption of new materials and technologies.

In the next two years, they hope to see a significant shift towards sustainable materials, circular economy models, and technology advancements that drive sustainability.

In this podcast episode, Debbie McKeegan interviews Mark Verbeem, the product management supervisor at Mimaki Europe, about sustainable product development in the printing industry.

They discuss the textile industry trends, market shifts, and the growing demand for sustainability. They also explore the evolving relationship between manufacturers and brands, the importance of transparency and storytelling, and the need for manufacturers to specify the source of inks, certifications, water usage, and energy usage.

The conversation emphasizes the need for strong partnerships with resellers and the importance of staying close to the market and customer needs.

The key takeaways include the potential for growth in the textile market, the focus on environmentally friendly solutions, and the importance of innovation and creativity in Mimaki's technology.“

Listen to learn more…

Lisa Montague, CEO of the Sanderson Design Group, discusses the centenary of Standfast & Barracks and the history of the company. She highlights the devastating flood that the company faced and the subsequent transformation and shift towards digital and design-led printing. Lisa emphasises the importance of supporting the next generation of designers and the company's efforts in working with schools and apprenticeship schemes. She also talks about the heritage brands under the Sanderson Design Group umbrella, such as Zoffany, Morris & Co, and Sanderson, and the extensive archive of historic artifacts they hold. The role of sustainability and innovation in the industry is emphasised, as well as the impact of digital printing on wallpaper and textiles. Listen to learn more…”

Matteo Forte, Product Marketing Manager from MS and J.K Group, introduces the Color Pack solution for calibration, a colour management software that optimizes the management of machinery and inks. The software consists of three main pillars: an easier color match system, expanded colour gamut, and more rational consumption of colour. The textile industry struggles with colour management due to a mix of poor standards, outdated technology, and external software companies. Colour management is crucial because colour is the most visible output and represents a brand's signature. The current colour management process is time-consuming and inefficient, involving trial and error and manual adjustments. The Color Pack software aids operators in their role, improving productivity and capabilities. It allows for the choreography of colour across different machines and technologies, optimising costs and reducing ink consumption. The software also ensures consistent colour results over time and provides measurable data for cost control.

Duncan Ferguson, VP of Commercial and Industrial Printing at Epson Europe, discusses market shifts and key trends driving product personalization. He highlights the role of digital technology, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the merging of fashion and sportswear in the customization and personalization trend. Duncan emphasizes the importance of quality and trust in garments, the democratization of design and manufacturing, and the need for localization and sustainability in the textile industry. He also discusses Epson's developments in printers and technologies for on-demand production, color management, and sustainable fashion.