Our quality products and best service will make your business much better.
Professional . Specialized . Experienced
(English)
13
Sep
The popularity and availability of DTF technology has made the market grow at an alarming rate, but at the same time, this growth has also intensified industry competition.
According to a report by Keypoint Intelligence, the printing volume of DTF is expected to be about 190 million square meters in 2022, and this figure may reach 1 billion square meters by 2027. In terms of market value, the retail value of the DTF market in 2022 is US$2.78 billion, and it is expected to grow to about US$14 billion by 2027. The report pointed out: "The adoption rate of DTF has never been seen before in the apparel industry. In 2022, the launch of DTF equipment accounted for 44.5% of all DTF, direct injection and transfer equipment, and it is expected to increase to 64.4% by 2027."
In addition, the report also mentioned that there were about 9,082 DTF equipment in the world in 2022, and by 2027, this number may be close to 15,000. Among them, dual-head machines dominate, and quad-head equipment accounts for a quarter of the market.
Against this backdrop, one has to ask: Can DTF still be a profitable business? The short and sweet answer is: Yes. However, print service providers (PSPs) will need to be flexible in their use of DTF technology to deliver services and production in order to achieve long-term profitability.
In recent years, the growth of the market has been driven by the availability of DTF equipment, with low-cost equipment solutions from China enabling almost anyone to provide DTF services to customers; this has been beneficial for companies seeking diversification, but has also led to a glut in the market.
Keypoint Intelligence directly addresses this issue in its report, stating: "The DTF market is still in its infancy, with considerable turmoil among hardware vendors, and its trajectory is similar to that of DTG in its early stages."
So how do you stand out from the crowd and attract valuable customers? The key is to provide excellent service.
For customers who are looking for speed and low prices, their options are very diverse. However, those who are quality-conscious want to work with excellent service providers, which requires high-quality branded equipment.
The regional dynamics of the DTF printing market present diverse growth opportunities and challenges.
Exciting trends are emerging in different regions. Asia Pacific is in the lead, especially in textile manufacturing hubs such as China, where the market is booming thanks to advanced technology and commitment to sustainability.
The North American market holds a significant share driven by major fashion brands, and demand for personalization and sustainability is expected to further drive market expansion.
In Europe, especially Italy, advanced textile and fashion industries are driving innovation in printing technology.
The Middle East and Africa region is also rising rapidly, with huge market potential driven by rising disposable income and evolving fashion trends.
In India, growth momentum remains strong due to the continued expansion of the textile industry and the introduction of digital printing technology.
Clearly, each region has unique opportunities waiting to be explored!
First, DTF technology is easy to learn and master. The process of printing on PET film with water-based pigment inks is similar to paper printing, which makes it easy for printers to get started and operate in a smaller space, suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Secondly, DTF printing is fast, and PSP can achieve a fast turnaround. After the film is printed, it can be stored until it is needed for transfer, which not only allows PSP to prepare work in advance, but also eliminates the double white or CMYK printing process of other printing methods.
In terms of cost, despite the additional expense of films and powders, DTF is generally the most cost-effective process, bringing financial benefits to PSPs of all sizes.
Finally, the wide range of applications also opens up a variety of markets for printing companies. From ordinary clothing such as T-shirts, hoodies and sportswear to promotional items and interior decoration, DTF technology can be used.
Businesses that do not adopt innovative technologies may miss important opportunities and face multiple risks. Here are the important reasons to adopt innovative technologies:
Loss of Market Share: Competitors that adopt DTF technology are able to provide more functional and high-quality products at lower costs and faster turnaround. This may lead to the loss of customers who seek these advantages.
Lagging Innovation: In the custom apparel industry, continuous innovation is essential. Market leaders set new standards for quality and efficiency, and those that fail to keep up with technological advances may be eliminated.
Increased Costs: Traditional printing methods are generally more labor-intensive and expensive, especially when processing small batches and complex designs. This will compress profit margins and make it difficult for companies to compete on price.
Investment in obsolete equipment: Investing in obsolete technology results in sunk costs that do not provide a competitive return, while new technologies can provide a better ROI by increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
Customization needs: Modern consumers are increasingly looking for personalized and customized products. DTF printing can provide a high degree of customization options and ensure excellent print quality to meet consumers' growing demand for unique clothing.
Fast turnaround: Customers have high expectations for the speed of delivery of customized orders. The fast production time of DTF printing allows companies to meet these needs more efficiently.
When discussing DTF, DTG cannot be ignored. Both use a direct printing method.
Although DTG does not require transfer printing, films and powders, the final cost of DTF is still more advantageous even after considering these costs. In addition, DTF does not require pre-treatment and is suitable for a variety of fiber types. DTF also has unique advantages in terms of color range, detail expression and garment stretch.
So, what does the future of DTF hold?
At FESPA 2024, we saw innovation in the field of DTF, and manufacturers and suppliers promised to launch more exciting developments. Sustainability has become an important factor affecting the DTF market and the entire printing field. As customer demand for environmentally friendly printing increases, manufacturers must respond, which is particularly evident in the DTF field.
"There is no doubt that DTF technology provides an excellent solution, but it is important to work with a reputable dealer to minimize the learning cost of new technology."
In terms of market trends, the overall direction of DTF equipment is to provide users with faster turnaround times and increase the variety of products that can be produced per machine. At present, we have seen large printing suppliers begin to invest in multiple machines to improve production efficiency, so the demand for efficient systems will continue to grow.
Although there are many types of DTF equipment, everyone has different opinions on whether to invest. For those who want to enter the DTF market, working with a professional service provider is an option. Although it means giving up some profits, you can avoid the trouble of investing in training and start taking orders directly.
If you have reached a cooperation intention with an existing customer, are confident in the order and are proficient in this technology, you may be able to jump in directly. On the contrary, if you want to test the waters before making a decision, finding a trading partner is also a good choice.
In short, the DTF field is full of exciting opportunities. Not only is this technology capable of producing a wide variety of printed products, its rapid development and the participation of many large companies in launching their own equipment indicate that this active market will usher in more growth and expansion.
TEXTEK continues to increase its investment in research and development to enhance its DTF printing solutions. By keeping up with industry trends and adopting the latest technologies, TEXTEK ensures that customers have access to the most advanced and efficient printing technology.
Drop us an email and let's make great things happen: info@textek.com
Contact us through WhatsApp and let's talk furthermore: +8619137185989
.jpg)
