{"id":30453,"date":"2025-09-28T09:17:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T09:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/?p=30453"},"modified":"2025-09-28T09:22:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T09:22:27","slug":"how-dtg-printing-has-changed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/how-dtg-printing-has-changed\/","title":{"rendered":"How DTG Printing Has Changed in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the last several decades, the world of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/direct-to-garment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct\u2011to\u2011Garment (DTG) printing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has undergone remarkable shifts. While the year 2025 does not mark a significant turning point, it brings several innovations to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today\u2019s DTG systems are not only faster and more precise than their predecessors. They are also more sustainable and digitally integrated than ever before. Kornit Digital, a company widely recognized for its modern DTG solutions, has been part of this evolution. Following its products can be an excellent opportunity for staying on top of the latest developments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Key Takeaways<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTG printing in 2025 focuses on seamless production with an emphasis on speed, precision, sustainability, and automation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The global DTG market is projected to nearly double by 2030, driven by demand for personalization and localization while shifting to mass production.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI-driven personalization and generative design tools are enabling mass customization with minimal overhead.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trump-era tariffs have pushed DTG manufacturers to re-shore production and reconfigure supply chains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rise of \u201cmicro-brands\u201d is fueling demand for flexible, short-run production enabled by DTG.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>DTG Printing Timeline<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Late 1980s &#8211; Early 1990s:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Digital textile printing emerged as an inkjet-based alternative to analog <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/glossary\/screen-printing-definition\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">screen printing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, enabling direct and more efficient garment imaging (rather than transferring inks via paper and heat).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>1996:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The first commercially available DTG printer, the \u201cRevolution\u201d, was introduced by DIS in Florida, based on Matthew Rhome&#8217;s invention; a patent was granted in 2000.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2003: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kornit Digital was founded\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2004\u20132005:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DTG gained broader visibility. Mimaki, Kornit, and US Screen showcased printers at industry expos; Brother launched the GT\u2011541, its first purpose-built DTG printer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2006<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Dark garment digital printing enabled by Kornit\u2019s first white ink inventions\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2011:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Kornit launches the first sustainable NeoPigment ink that transforms <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/our-impact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sustainable textile printing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2013:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Epson\u2019s F2000 debuted, solving key issues like ink clogging and offering longer shelf life for DTG inks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2019:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> North America\u2019s DTG market surpassed $2.5\u202fbillion, with a projected CAGR of over 10% through 2021.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2025: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/kornit.com\/lp2\/hq\/kornit-apollo-printer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kornit Apollo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showcased at FESPA 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>DTG Printing Market Value<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Grand View Research* report, the global DTG market was estimated at USD\u202f1.92\u202fbillion in 2024, projected to grow to USD\u202f3.90\u202fbillion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0% from 2025 to 2030. The clothing\/apparel segment alone was worth USD\u202f985.7\u202fmillion in 2024 and is expected to more than double by 2030.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Evolutionary Elements to Watch Out For<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few elements that are changing the DTG industry in 2025 and have the potential to continue doing so in 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Personalization at Scale<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automated workflows and AI integration have empowered brands to create mass-customized, on\u2011demand apparel with ease. Advances in automation allow for unique, made\u2011to\u2011order design offerings without sacrificing speed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Trump\u2019s Tariffs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reimposition of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/trumps-tariffs-disrupt-digital-printing-industry-jsuh\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trump\u2019s tariffs in 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> disrupted supply chains, raising costs for imported apparel and printing equipment. In response, many DTG businesses pivoted toward domestic manufacturing to try and maintain price competitiveness while reducing reliance on global logistics.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Collaborative Fulfillment Platforms\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Platforms like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/for-brands\/global-fulfillment-network\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KornitX<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have revolutionized order routing and fulfillment, enabling brands to tap into a network of print providers across geographies. This allowed global reach paired with local production efficiencies and became a game-changer for scalable fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Generative AI in Design<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generative AI tools now assist or even fully create graphics, dramatically accelerating product launch cycles and enabling more creative, trend-responsive design generation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Shift from Fast Fashion to \u201cMicro\u2011Brands\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rise of niche communities and creator-driven apparel has given birth to micro-brands. Small, values-driven labels are embracing DTG for quick, small batch releases.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Real\u2011time Quality Monitoring<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI-powered sensors and real-time analytics now detect print errors or color mismatches mid-production. This reduces returns, tightens quality control, and enhances trust in on-demand apparel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Sustainability<\/b><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2025, DTG has become significantly greener. Eco\u2011friendly inks, reduced water usage, and localized, on\u2011demand production models contribute to lower carbon footprints and less waste. Growing consumer interest in sustainable apparel has pushed both brands and printers toward more environmentally responsible practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going forward, European ESG regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy Regulation are undergoing revisions. These will affect businesses across multiple sectors, including printing. The complex reporting requirements and other sustainability-related rules drive organizations to turn to more eco-friendly solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Staying on Top of the Latest Developments with Kornit Digital<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2025, DTG is not simply a technology. It&#8217;s a platform for sustainability, creativity, and agile fulfillment. Kornit Digital continues to stand at the intersection of these trends, offering advanced and environmentally conscious DTG solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to explore what comes next? Contact Kornit to see how these developments are transforming apparel printing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><i>Direct to Garment Printing Market | Industry Report, 2030<\/i>. (n.d.). <span class=\"url\">https:\/\/www.grandviewresearch.com\/industry-analysis\/direct-garment-printing-market-report<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the last several decades, the world of Direct\u2011to\u2011Garment (DTG) printing has undergone remarkable shifts. While the year 2025 does not mark a significant turning point, it brings several innovations to the table. Today\u2019s DTG systems are not only faster and more precise than their predecessors. They are also more sustainable and digitally integrated than [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":30481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[276],"tags":[32,130],"class_list":["post-30453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights","tag-dtg","tag-sustainability"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Angora Media","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30453"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30484,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30453\/revisions\/30484"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kornit.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}