Epson aims to lead the way in shaping the future of digital textile printing
Epson India Pvt. Ltd., incorporated in 2000, has become a leading brand in digital imaging and printing solutions, addressing the diverse needs of homes, businesses, and industries. Headquartered in Bangalore, Epson India offers a wide range of products, including inkjet printers, scanners, projectors, robots, and large format printers (LFPs). Epson stands out as a pioneer in LFPs and textile printers, transforming the fashion and textile industries with its cutting-edge digital printing technology. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, General Manager – LFPs, Sales and Marketing, Vasudevan LK discusses adoption of digital textile printing in India.
How do you see the digital textile printing market evolving globally and in India over the next decade?
The digital textile printing market is set for significant growth globally and in India, driven by sustainability, customisation, and fast fashion trends. Globally, the market is projected to grow from approximately $3 billion in 2024 to around $9 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of over 12 per cent. In India, this growth is expected at a slightly higher CAGR of 13 per cent, supported by the robust textile sector and increasing demand for personalised, eco-friendly solutions. By offering speed, flexibility, and minimal environmental impact, digital printing is transforming the textile and fashion landscape.
What are the main barriers to the adoption of digital fabric printing, particularly in traditional textile manufacturing hubs?
The issue is mainly related to mindset. Resistance to change from traditional manufacturers accustomed to analogue processes is slowing the adoption. This is a tectonic shift in technology which requires an approach that is bold and visionary in the first instance. The perceived high initial investment costs could be a concern, particularly for small-and medium-sized enterprises with limited capital. There is also a lack of awareness about the long-term benefits of digital printing, such as flexibility, faster turnaround times, and lower environmental impact which needs to be overcome. The availability of skilled labour to operate and maintain digital printing systems, as well as infrastructure gaps in certain regions, are also slowing widespread implementation. At Epson, we are actively addressing these challenges through various initiatives including the setting up of our Textile Solution Centre to enable first hand demonstration of the technology.
How can the digital printing industry further contribute to sustainability in terms of materials, energy use, and waste reduction?
The digital textile printing industry can have a huge impact on reducing the environmental impact and enhancing sustainability in the industry. Materials, energy use, and waste reduction are key areas of change. Digital printing inherently reduces environmental impact by minimising water consumption and fabric waste compared to traditional methods. For example, technologies like Epson’s third-generation pigment inks eliminate the need for water-intensive post-treatment processes, cutting down on both water usage and pollution. Additionally, digital printing systems are designed to optimise energy consumption, ensuring efficient operation without compromising output quality. By adopting eco-friendly inks, recyclable materials, and precision technology that limits overproduction, the industry can immensely lower its carbon footprint.
How is digital textile printing influencing the fast fashion industry, and what potential does it hold for sustainable practices?
Digital textile printing is significantly transforming the fast fashion industry by enabling quicker production cycles, promoting sustainable practices, and offering diverse applications. Its ability to produce designs on demand allows manufacturers to swiftly respond to changing trends and consumer preferences, minimising the risk of excess inventory and unsold stock at the end of a season. This agility aligns perfectly with the fast-paced nature of the fashion industry. From a sustainability perspective, digital textile printing offers numerous advantages over traditional methods. It reduces water usage by eliminating the need for water-intensive dyeing and rinsing processes, lowers chemical consumption, and minimises material waste by applying ink precisely where it is needed. Additionally, digital printing equipment is often more energy-efficient and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent, making it an environment friendly option.
What roles do robotics and automation play in enhancing productivity and precision in digital textile printing and related manufacturing processes?
Robotics and automation are playing a crucial role in enhancing productivity and precision in digital textile printing and related manufacturing processes. By integrating robotics into various stages of textile production, manufacturers can achieve higher levels of efficiency, accuracy, and consistency. In the textile industry, robots are increasingly being used in processes like splicing in auto-corners, and fabric inspection, all of which require precise handling and repetitive tasks. The use of robotics in these areas minimise human error, optimise workflow, and accelerate production speeds. For instance, Epson’s advanced robots, such as the ultra-low-cost SCARA and 6-axis battery-less robots, are designed to easily integrate into these workflows, boosting productivity and enhancing operational efficiency.
Epson India has grown remarkably since its inception. What strategies have driven this growth, especially in the digital printing and textile sectors?
Epson’s growth has been phenomenal. Our products address the needs of homes, businesses, and commercial enterprises as those of consumers with specialised needs in India. With a commitment to providing products and services that surpass people’s expectations, Epson India today has an enviable reputation for quality and value. The company markets and supports Epson inkjet printers, inkjet all-in-ones, point of sale printers, 3LCD projectors, scanners, large format printers, textile printers and robots. In all these categories, Epson is either the No. 1 or No. 2 brand in India and growing fast. In FY 2023, Epson India posted a turnover of ₹2,500 crore (~$2,947 million). Our remarkable growth in the digital printing and textile sectors can be attributed to several strategic initiatives that have effectively captured the market. Currently, we hold a substantial 42 per cent market share in dye sublimation and a growing 6 per cent market share in direct-to-fabric products, a segment we entered in 2019. Our strategic growth plans include achieving a minimum 30 per cent market share in direct-to-fabric printers by 2028, sustaining and expanding our market share in dye sublimation, and securing a 40 per cent market share in direct-to-garment printers by 2028. Our ambitious targets align with our anticipation of achieving a robust 20 per cent CAGR over the next five years. A key factor driving this growth is Epson’s focus on educating the market about the benefits of digital textile printing. As awareness such as reduced water consumption and reduced wastage increase, we find our sales going up. Also, by virtue of being the only brand that manufactures all essential components — the printer, print head, ink, and software — Epson ensures superior integration and product performance, setting it apart from competitors. Additionally, Epson’s unique approach of offering consultation services for both pre-and post-chemicals in digital textile printing adds significant value, helping customers optimise their operations.
Epson is one of the top brands in India for several product categories. How does Epson maintain its competitive edge in a dynamic market like India?
At the heart of our success lies our philosophy of developing efficient, compact and precise technologies— or ‘Sho-Sho-Sei’ as it is known in Japan. This has been infused into every Epson product since the beginning. Designing for low energy consumption, minimised waste, small footprints, high reliability and minimal moving parts results in outstanding solutions for our customers. This is really what sets us apart from other brands. We have an unwavering commitment to innovation, durability and sustainable and cost-effective solutions that cater to a wide range of industries. This commitment lies in the combination of advanced functionalities, exceptional product quality, and the ability to deliver long-term value for our customers. The advanced functionalities of our products make them truly unique. Epson’s PrecisionCore printhead technology, for example, enables high-speed, high-resolution printing, offering excellent colour accuracy and consistency. Similarly, our Micro- Piezo technology and Heat Free technology used in printers and 3 LCD technology used in projectors are examples of this commitment to superior technology. With a strong emphasis on reliability, we also engineer our products and solutions to withstand demanding environments, ensuring consistent performance and minimising maintenance costs. Cost-effectiveness is another critical factor that sets Epson apart. By focusing on energy-efficient technologies, we help businesses reduce operating costs. Our solutions offer low operating costs and significantly reduce waste, leading to long-term savings.
How has Epson’s digital textile printing technology, such as the SureColor F-series, transformed the textile and garment industries?
In 2023 and 2024, Epson launched several groundbreaking products that offer exceptional capabilities across different categories. The SC-F6430, available in both 4-colour and 6-colour options, is specifically designed for sportswear and fast fashion printing, making it ideal for high-speed, high-volume production. For businesses involved in on-demand printing, Epson introduced the SC-F2230, a direct-to-garment (DTG) printer that supports printing volumes of up to 1,000 pieces per month, ideal for small to medium-sized enterprises. A standout innovation is the SC-F1030 which was launched in 2024, Epson’s most compact direct-to-garment printer to date, which has been designed to revolutionise storefronts and novelty gift businesses. With features like the Micro TFP printhead, UltraChrome DG2 inks, and Auto Gap Adjustment, the SC-F1030 delivers superior print quality on a wide range of garments, including cotton, while enhancing business flexibility with its DTG and DTF hybrid capabilities. This printer offers a White Ink Mode, which allows printing on coloured garments, further adding value to entry-level businesses. The printer’s user-friendly features, such as easy installation, retractable hanger platen, and vivid colour profiles, make it a versatile solution for businesses looking to expand or start a garment printing operation. The Garment Creator 2 Software and other advanced features help to improve processing speed and resolution, resulting in superior print quality. Additionally, the compact, semi-transparent design of the SC-F1030 enhances the printing process visibility and creates an engaging atmosphere, which is perfect for attracting customers to stores and creating an interactive, customisable business experience.
Sustainability is a key focus for Epson. Could you elaborate on the environmental benefits of Epson’s digital fabric printing solutions?
Sustainability and preserving the environment for future generations is a core focus for Epson, and the company has integrated several environment-friendly practices into its digital fabric printing solutions to minimise environmental impact. Epson’s digital fabric printing solutions promote sustainability through waterless printing technologies and eco-friendly pigments. Unlike traditional methods, Epson’s pigment inks eliminate the need for water, reducing water consumption and wastewater. These inks also minimise chemical use, making the process safer and more eco-friendly. Additionally, Epson’s printers are energy-efficient, further lowering the environmental footprint. These innovations help businesses meet sustainability goals while producing high-quality, custom textiles with minimal impact on the environment.
Epson’s philosophy emphasises customer satisfaction. How do you ensure customer needs are met in a highly diverse and demanding market like India?
Epson’s approach to customer satisfaction in India is deeply rooted in providing comprehensive, customer-centric solutions. We go beyond offering just products; we provide a complete, integrated solution that includes printing, pre-treatment, and post-treatment, all with key components manufactured in-house. This unique advantage enables us to offer tailored solutions that directly address the specific challenges faced by our customers, particularly as they transition from analogue to digital printing. Our Textile Solution Centre plays a crucial role in this process by offering personalised consultations, hands-on demonstrations, and expert advice. By focusing on solutions rather than just competing on price, we help our customers make a confident shift to digital printing, ensuring long-term success. Epson also stands out in India by offering a comprehensive annual maintenance contract, which covers not only printers but also boards and print heads. This unique service offering, coupled with our direct presence and extensive network of 15 warehouses across the country, allows us to quickly meet customer needs and provide faster service and support.
What challenges do you see in the adoption of digital printing in India, and how is Epson addressing these?
As mentioned earlier, the adoption of digital printing in India faces challenges such as lack of awareness, resistance to change from traditional manufacturers, and skills gaps in certain regions. Many businesses are still accustomed to analogue processes and hesitant to invest in digital solutions due to perceived high costs or unfamiliarity with the technology. To address these challenges, Epson takes a customer-centric approach, offering tailored consultations and hands-on demonstrations through our Textile Solution Centre.
What trends in digital printing and textile technology do you foresee shaping Epson’s product development in the next five years?
Key trends shaping the future of digital printing and textile technology include the growing demand for sustainable printing solutions, as consumers and businesses alike focus on reducing environmental impact. Additionally, there is an increasing need for customisation, driven by consumer preferences for unique, personalised products. The integration of advanced technologies is also becoming more prominent, enabling enhanced automation, improved efficiency, and a better user experience. In response to these trends, Epson is focused on innovation, developing pigment inks that offer vibrant, eco-friendly prints, hybrid printers that combine the best of both digital and traditional methods, and tech-driven solutions that streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve production quality. By embracing these advancements, Epson aims to lead the way in shaping the future of digital textile printing.
