Print Monthly

Key to this event though is that it is tapping into ground swell trend that is seeing many print-service-providers turn their focus onto this growth sector, where everything from personalised beach towels to mammoth exhibition stands can be created using the latest textile-printing technology.

Textile Printing Now was held last month in Huddersfield at The Textile Centre of Excellence in partnership with British Interiors and Textile Association (BITA). Speakers discussed subjects that are a hot topic in the industry, including soft signage, textiles and science fiction, design and print in a personalised world, and selecting the right textile ink.

Pepjin Bourgonje of Neenah Coldehov, who made a special trip from the Netherlands for the conference, comments: “This event is very important for us to look at new opportunities and new technology. We were particularly interested to hear about developments in wearable electronics.”

There is lots of potential for us in the UK and this event was an educational and a networking events for us. We identified a couple of prospective customers and have been shown what we need for the future”

Fashion houses and suppliers are a target audience for FESPA, and Anita Hodge of the London College of Fashion, adds: “We are planning an expansion of our digital department and this event will help inform those expansion plans. We have also had conversations about buying a new printer today.”

Balaji Srinivasan of Dupont UK comments: “There is lots of potential for us in the UK and this event was an educational and a networking events for us. We identified a couple of prospective customers and have been shown what we need for the future.”

Peter Kiddell of FESPA UK, adds: “We were delighted, both by the numbers of delegates the event attracted and the diversity of the audience – specifiers, designers, printers, retailers and, importantly, colleges and academics.

“It was also especially rewarding to hear so many positive comments about the quality of presentations and how enlightening and valuable the day’s content was for delegates.”