Neither textile nor garment print are new concepts to sign-makers and wide-format printing companies, with many businesses having been active within these markets for some time. However, while it is one thing to offer such services to customers, responding to changing demands and new trends is a whole other matter. Here, SignLink speaks with major manufacturers and suppliers within the two markets to find out more about the standout trends that were apparent in 2023, which of these are likely to continue into 2024, and what else companies offering garment and textile print can expect over the next year. Speed of Culture First up is Kornit Digital, which offers solutions across both the textile and garment sectors. Phil Oakley, director for the UK and Ireland at Kornit, says that onshoring and nearshoring operations, as well as streamlining production processes, are important at present, with these being driven by multiple factors. Among others, Oakley says, these include demand for rapid fulfilment of e-commerce orders, the need to immunise operations from supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks, and the need for eliminating waste, creating transparency, and conforming to sustainability standards. “Consumers demand applications that react to the ‘speed of culture’, responsive to sudden market trends and opportunities, capitalising on moments with agility and a consistent, high-quality product,” Oakley says. “Upcycling – being able to take used or disfavoured materials and transform or repurpose them into unique and brilliant new applications – seems to be catching on as one answer to the waste conundrum. “As ever, consumers expect versatility in their options – being able to fulfil increasingly customised or personalised concepts without limitations of fabric, graphic design, colour gamut – while producers and brands equipped to answer those expectations position themselves ADDRESSING TRENDS As we turn the corner into 2024, SignLink takes a closer look at the textile and garment print markets to examine core trends that emerged in 2023 and what we can expect from these two segments over the coming year ▲ Kornit Digital says sustainability will continue to shape the textile and garment print markets 67 Issue 251 - February / March 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk TEXTILE AND GARMENT PRINT
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