Cover Story
Emerging trends in the textile and décor print segments We are all familiar with the impact of digital printing on the commercial printing, packaging, wide-format, label and converting market segments. Over the last several years we have seen dramatic changes in digital printing technology, increased overall quality levels and decreasing cost structures, which fundamentally changed the business models in the graphic arts industry. Add to this the latest geopolitical changes and the current impact of COVID-19, and we are noticing an increasing adoption rate of digital print technologies, which in turn is accelerating the consolidation and convergence trends in the above-mentioned market segments. The key drivers behind these shifts are the increasing demands for: (1) shorter run lengths (including versioning and personalization); (2) faster turnaround times (print products need to fit within the other tighter media communication cycles); and (3) cost efficiencies (supplychain benefits and inventory elimination/ reduction advantages). Digital printing is now an integral part of the printing industry, co-existing with conventional printing – but growing at a much faster pace. This feature will take a closer look at the impact of digital printing technology on the textile and décor printing business, looking for similarities and/or differences. First off, some numbers. A June 8, 2020 report by Research and Markets, titled Textile Printing – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics estimates that by 2027, the Global Textile Market will reach 34.9 billion square meters, growing at a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 3.6%. Of that number, screen printing will account for 31.1 billion square meters, projecting a CAGR of 2.8%. Digital printing will account for 3.8 billion square meters with a CAGR of 14.2% over the 7-year period. Digital textile printing will make up 11% of the total volume of textile printing, growing at a double-digit pace. The study does take into consideration the implications
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of the current pandemic and its “induced economic crisis.” One interesting side note in the study is the notion that the current significant political and economic challenges confronting China, are creating an economic ‘decoupling’ and distancing push with other geographies, which in turn will change the competitive dynamics. But that might be a topic for another day.
The takeaway from these numbers is that digital printing will have a CAGR of five (yes five) times that of screen printing. Clearly, digital printing will drive profound changes in the textile printing industry. Before we go into detail of what those changes might be, let us focus on the basic types of textile printing technologies.
Ricoh Ri6000 DTG Printer
GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | September 2020 | 7
