The Innovate: Direct-to-Film Printing conference will be hosted virtually, on 25-26 March 2025. Together our speakers will assess key trends and topics within the direct-to-film printing sector. Check out the agenda here.
Tuesday, 25 March
Keynote presentation: Unveiling market insights: tracking the growth of DTF printing
Speaker:
Joseph Link, WTiN
Understanding the dynamics of the direct-to-film (DTF) printing market is essential for businesses looking to make informed strategic decisions. This session will not only provide an overview of the current DTF sector but introduce a novel market data product that monitors the global and regional size of the DTF printing market, including install base and printed fabric output. Designed with user needs in mind, this tool provides niche breakdowns, enabling detailed analysis of trends and opportunities. Join us to explore how this innovative resource can help you stay ahead of the curve, identify growth areas and navigate the rapidly evolving DTF landscape.
The evolving trends of DTF
Speaker:
David Sweetnam, Keypoint Intelligence
DTF is maturing rapidly and is forcing businesses to evolve if they want to stay competitive and stand out from competitors. In this session, some of the metrics forcing this evolution including faster engines, wider ink set and film options, greater automation and workflow will be discussed. The daunting world of AI and the promised land of powderless technology are also set to change the goal posts for the industry – and will be explored. As an independent test organisation tasked with evaluating this equipment these factors are also putting new pressures on David and his team to keep up with the evolution and ensure their analysis stays relevant. Here, David will outline some of the changes they are looking to adopt as we enter another crazy year of DTF.
Promoting circularity: challenges and opportunities in the DTF market
Speakers:
Dr. Andy Hancock, Mexar Ltd
Sumit Sarker, Bluesign® ACADEMY
The push for a circular economy is reshaping industries worldwide, and direct-to-film (DTF) printing is no exception. This session will examine how the DTF sector can adopt circular principles to minimise waste, extend product lifecycles and maximise resource efficiency. Industry leaders will discuss innovations in recyclable film substrates, strategies for reducing ink waste and the role of closed-loop systems in creating a more sustainable value chain. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges in achieving circularity and explore collaborative solutions to position the DTF market as a leader in sustainable printing practices.
Challenges and innovative solutions in DTF textile printing
Speaker:
Professor Long Lin, Print-Rite
Direct-to-film (DTF) printing has emerged as a revolutionary technology in the textile digital print domain, but technical challenges remain that need to be continuously addressed. At Print-Rite, we pride ourselves in being amongst the world-leading companies in terms of R&D investment. This talk will comprehensively explore the unique features, capabilities and far-reaching implications of DTF textile digital print; sharing examples of the development of some of our unique technologies. Such technologies include our unique technologies to solve the sedimentation issue of white ink in DTF application through unique additives and the modification of the ink formulation to enhance the stability of white ink and prevent sedimentation. Also to be shared is our development of DTF powderless solutions that eliminate the need for powder application, rendering the process more friendly to humans and the environment and our experience in dye-sublimation DTF for foil stamping application.
Wednesday, 26 March
Navigating incoming regulations for DTF printing
Speaker:
John Murphy, Hohenstein
The textile industry is facing a tidal wave of regulatory change, with the European Union’s (EU) Chemical Sustainability Strategy (CSS) poised to significantly impact the direct-to-film (DTF) market this decade. In this session, we aim to navigate these complexities, exploring the potential implications of new ink regulations on DTF production and explore strategies to ensure compliance and business continuity.
Providing solutions to core DTF issues
Speaker:
Dr. Zhang Qing, Zhejiang Aoyu New Material Technology Co., Ltd
This presentation will introduce the history, current situation and technical products of Zhejiang Aoyu New Material Technology Co., Ltd. In particular, the company will explain its differentiated hot melt adhesive products developed for key pain points in DTF processing technology, as well as their application scenarios and processes.
Beyond plug & play: navigating the complexities of DTF printing
Speakers:
Adrienne Palmer, DTF Printing
Sebastien Hanssens, Caldera
Kristyn Leary, Origin Apparel
Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is often perceived as a plug-and-play technology, but the reality is far more complex. This session will address the challenges new market entrants face when adopting DTF printers, from understanding machine settings to managing consumables and achieving consistent print quality. Industry experts will highlight the importance of education and training to unlock the full potential of DTF technology, and comprehensive aftersales support. Attendees will learn about common pitfalls, best practices for operational success and resources to bridge the knowledge gap, ensuring that businesses can integrate DTF systems effectively to maximise their return on investment.
Expanding the DTF horizon: beyond novelty sportswear and workwear
Speakers:
Christian Collins, Ink Experts
Colin Marsh, Resolute DTF
Dmitry Sarbaev, Fluxmall
Direct-to-film (DTF) printing has made significant inroads in sportswear and workwear when it comes to novelty products and personalisation, but how can the technology break into new mainstream market applications? This session will explore the untapped potential of DTF printing, posing critical questions about its real addressable market and opportunities beyond traditional apparel applications. Industry leaders will discuss innovative use cases, from custom home décor to technical textiles and promotional products, highlighting the adaptability of DTF technology. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how businesses can diversify their offerings, unlock new revenue streams and position themselves at the forefront of a growing market. As well as this, we will speak to panellists about how companies can expand into new regions.
Contact us
To find out more about Innovate: Direct-to-Film Printing, please contact our events team.
