The Printing Industry Trends You’ll Be Talking About in 2024

As we step into 2024, transformative trends are sweeping across the landscape, and LexJet is at the forefront, foreseeing these changes as key to revolutionizing your business. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable products, we delve into the top trends that will redefine the industry. Join us as we explore these trends, bringing innovation and paving the way for what lies ahead in the dynamic world of printing.

Dye Sublimation on Fabric

The future of dye sublimation for grand and large format printing, particularly for trade shows, appears promising. Dye sublimation is emerging as a preferred option for décor and apparel due to its unparalleled versatility. The potential of dye sublimation knows no bounds, as it enables the creation of visually stunning prints. Its advantages include not only aesthetic appeal but also practical benefits. The process is user-friendly with the right equipment and substrate, leading to efficient and high-quality printing. Sublimated fabric is lightweight, allowing for easy and cost-effective shipping. The cost-effectiveness extends to production, making it an economically attractive option. Additionally, the sublimation printing process is odorless, can be environmentally sustainable, and offers straightforward installation, positioning dye sublimation as a frontrunner in the future of large-scale printing and trade show displays.

Direct Printing

Direct printing is gaining widespread popularity as an alternative to the traditional transfer process in printing. More and more people opt for direct printing due to its streamlined single-step workflow. This approach eliminates the need for an intermediary step, offering greater efficiency in the printing process. With the right fabric choice, such as UFabrik, and a compatible printer, direct printing allows users to bypass issues like ink migration and coalescence, ensuring a more precise and vibrant output. While finishing, such as sewing, is still needed, the availability of such services from production companies makes it a seamless part of the overall direct printing process. This shift towards direct printing signifies a move towards simplicity, speed, and enhanced quality in fabric printing.

UV Technology

UV printing has emerged as a dominant ink technology alongside dye sublimation, with advancements driven by LED technology. The notable advantage of UV printing lies in its ability to operate without heat, a significant improvement that enhances its versatility. This technology boasts excellent scratch resistance and the capability to print white ink, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Whether printing on rolls or boards, UV printing offers a vast selection of media at competitive pricing, contributing to its rapid expansion in the printing market.

Sustainable Products

In pursuing sustainability, it has become imperative that eco-friendly products surpass the standards set by their non-sustainable counterparts. Remarkable strides have been made in developing PVC-free or recyclable materials, which now offer not only environmental benefits but also high performance comparable to traditional products. The significant progress in this area is exemplified by products like LINTEC‘s optically clear recycled films. These innovative products not only meet the demand for sustainability but do so without compromising aesthetics or functionality. The competitive pricing of these products makes them increasingly appealing, challenging the idea that sustainability comes at a premium. As the market embraces these eco-friendly alternatives, the landscape is shifting towards a future where sustainable choices are responsible and superior in quality and performance.

Desktop and Home-Based Business Printers

Desktop and small print-and-cut eco-solvent printers have become game-changers for the Etsy market and side-business owners. These printers combine portability, affordability, and ease of use, making them ideal for entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand their creative ventures. The intuitive software accompanying these printers simplifies the printing process, providing step-by-step guidance. This user-friendly approach not only caters to seasoned professionals but also encourages newcomers to the field. The consumer-based workflow these printers offer facilitates the production of a diverse range of products with ease, allowing Etsy sellers and side-business owners to explore and expand their product lines without the difficulty often associated with larger printing setups. These compact and efficient printers empower small-scale entrepreneurs to turn their creative visions into tangible, marketable products.

Direct-to-Film and Direct-to-Garment

The evolution of direct-to-film (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing have undergone significant changes in recent years. DTF has taken the industry by storm, capturing its attention with its rapid popularity. Introducing more sophisticated shaker operations and the promise of powderless DTF technologies on the horizon are poised to bring even greater success to this printing method. On the other hand, DTG, despite its longstanding presence in the market, faced challenges such as limitations in printing on polyesters and the necessity to print exclusively on cotton. However, advancements are underway. These advancements hold the potential to not only enhance quality but also drive down pricing, offering consumers a more accessible and higher-quality printing experience.

Where do you want to take your business in 2024? To learn more about new and exciting trends and how to take your business to the next level, contact a LexJet Customer Specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit LexJet.com.

Printing Industry Forecast: Top Trends in 2023

At LexJet, we’re always ahead of the game, anticipating the latest trends and technologies in the ever-evolving digital printing industry. This year, our experienced team has spotted some exciting changes on the horizon and distilled them into five must-watch trends for 2023. Handpicked by Timothy Mitchell, Senior Product Development Director at S-One, these trends will take your business to new heights. Get ready to navigate the market with confidence and exceed customer demand like never before.

Wall Covering

Commercial wall covering is a hot trend that will be around for quite some time. Transforming an environment’s ambiance with wall covering allows for unique creativity and vision.  A simple wall that gets overlooked daily can become a marketing opportunity with the right head-turning graphic that commands attention. According to Mitchell, “Single panel 3.2-meter wall covering like JM Covertex will change the industry completely for commercial applications. It’s faster, cleaner, and smarter than printing panels.” With the constant advancements and ease of use, you don’t have to be a pro to install wall covering, making it an easy choice that achieves maximum results.

Direct to Film

DTF (Direct to Film) is shaking up the apparel and transfer world. With this transfer type, digital inks and a powder adhesive coating are used to print a design, which will then require the design to cure before transferring it onto a garment with a heat press. “DTF will grow and continue to disrupt the apparel markets. DTG will shrink (no pun intended) as DTF keeps expanding. Ease of use and low cost of entry are just too attractive.” With DTF, you can retain the finest details without any lines with a full array of colors for more vibrant designs.

Trade Shows

With trade shows back in full swing, there’s a greater demand for unique display signage that can grab a crowd’s attention. Timothy predicts that large-format textile printing with dye sublimation will continue to grow. “All big industry shows rely on big displays and big displays are most often done with SEG fabric and dye sublimation.” Your printing business can take advantage of this opportunity by offering the special signage companies need for trade shows. Timothy also feels that “Direct print with inline fixation is now for real, and it works, and it’s easy. This is the best way to print direct, especially with sublimation paper being in short supply or going up in cost.”

Window Film

When it comes to the world of digital window graphics, the benefits are abundant and go far beyond simply adding ambiance and style to a space. Today’s state-of-the-art window film technology offers many advantages, from enhancing privacy to providing UV protection and adding valuable real estate for expanding your customer’s brand. And, with the window market projected to continue its upward trajectory, optically clear films like LINTEC are poised to lead the charge, offering versatile, scratch-resistant, and cost-effective window film solutions. Best of all, with a little bit of planning and preparation, anyone can successfully install these window films and start reaping their numerous benefits.

UV Technology

UV technology is expanding quickly and taking a prominent seat in the printing market. Understanding the various printer technology and inks used can save you a lot of headaches and money down the road. UV prints directly onto your chosen substrate, so there are limitless possibilities for customized products you can offer your customers and tap into an uncrowded market that can bring you great business profit. Like anything else worth the investment, a little research and planning can open the door to new opportunities to stay ahead of the competition that only this type of technology can offer.

Where do you want to take your business in 2023? To learn more about new and exciting trends and how to take your business to the next level, please get in touch with a LexJet Customer Specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit LexJet.com.