At Heimtextil 2016, which will be held from January 12-15, 19 companies have signed up for the digital textile printing section ‘Digital Print’ as against 16 in the 2015 edition. “They include Durst, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Kornit, Mimaki, MS Printing Solutions, Reggiani and Xeikon alongwith first timers like Fotoba International, J-Teck3 and Pigment Inc.,” a Messe Frankfurt press release informed. On the sidelines of Heimtextil, Wtin will be organising the ‘European Digital Textile Conference’ and there will also be room for discussions at the new café called ‘Print IT Digital’. “Carried by technological innovation, digital printing is one of the major growth segments within the textile industry,” Ulrike Wechsung, director of Heimtextil said. “The sector is assuming double digit growth in the coming years and numerous manufacturers of home and contract textiles are already using digital printing techniques for their new collections,” she added. “With the ‘Digital Print’ product area in Hall 4.0, we are again offering the largest platform for communication and new products, aimed at designers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers,” Wechsung stated. Amongst the innovations are new water-based ink systems for inspiring designs, apps for specific control of design and production processes, as well as procedures for the depiction of guaranteed colours from monitor to end product. Kiian Digital, a leading manufacturer of inks for digital print will be presenting water-based sublimation and pigment inks for direct and transfer printing. “These inks stand out because of their high concentration of colour and environmental acceptability,” Messe Frankfurt too added. “Interest for digital printing from the home and contract textiles segment is growing as digital printing enables customisation and short runs,” Martin Swift, marketing & corporate development director at JK Group said. “Kiian Digital has a dual presence, being present both at the Digital Textile Conference and at the show and both events will provide the opportunity to interact with new and existing customers,” Swift also stated. The European Digital Textile Conference will be taking place for the third time and will be held on the first day of the show in the ‘Europa’ room in Hall 4.0. Organised by the publishers of the magazine ‘Digital Textile’, the conference, which will be conducted in English, will present an overview of new technologies, market opportunities and areas of application in the home textiles industry. This year, the emphasis will be on the speed, quality and sustainability of the next generation of digital printers.
