Commercial printers are always on the look out for new applications that they can produce and new markets they can explore.
In recent years outside influences, particularly the pandemic, have forced print service providers to diversify even more in order to safeguard their businesses.
With this in mind, are commercial printers considering textiles as a possible new market? If so, what obstacles have held them back and what would need to change before they ‘took the plunge’?
Gary White
Northside Graphics
‘Yes, we have considered textile/fabric printing especially for promotional items like the many fabric banner stands and flags etc. that are available. We are sure these would sell very well through our DigitalPrinting.co.uk website but to date have been too busy with existing product development to give it the attention it deserves. In the first instance we will try and find an experienced partner to outsource to as it’s a quick and reliable route to market that should work for us and the supplier.’
Peter Hadad
Apprintable
Yes, textile printing is definitely an area of interest for us and one we’ve considered exploring. However, we haven’t done so as of yet because we would need more production space, and new team members to support that space, in order to make a success of it. That’s what’s held us back.
Rachael Mundy
Bishops
When it comes to textile printing, and frankly diversification in general, we currently have no plans on that front at the moment here at Bishops. We think we’ll be most successful by sticking to our core competencies.
Gary Peeling
Precision ProCo
‘Following the acquisition of the former Photobox direct to object and wall art facility increasingly we are supporting merchandising and drop ship requirements for customers and resellers, apparel is a clear next step and popular category once we have delivered all the benefits of the existing range to clients, while the print process is well understood and print on demand capability a core competency the intricacies of inventory management, shirt size , finish and brand require careful management in both stocking and just in time supply.’
