The much-vaunted forecast that digital textile printing was going to hit the big time in the past couple of years still has failed to materialise, for the most part, with many sign-makers and PSPs failing to grasp the benefits of this technology. Why this should be remains a bit of a mystery but, once again, FESPA will be doing its bit to promote this side of ink-jet technology by giving exhibitors the opportunity to trumpet their wares.

As a proponent of the application advantages that are prevalent with textile printing I can never quite understand why those in the wide-format fraternity are such a tardy lot when it comes to working with fabrics. The transition of jobs from other ink technologies is there for the taking but, still, there seems to be a general reluctance to take on dye-sublimation as a key production method. Yet, for the majority of those who have made the plunge into fabrics, there don't appear to be any regrets with successful investors transferring considerable chunks of their display output onto lightweight polyesters that have either been printed direct using disperse inks or via two-step dye-sublimation.

As for London next week, there is a good representation of digital textile manufacturers and suppliers making an appearance at FESPA with the hope of attracting new users or those who are planning to up the ante from more basic machines. Some of those exhibiting are familiar names while others are making début appearances, and in terms of soft sign engines the choice of manufacturers has widened a little. However, when compared with other ink formulations, the selection of printers covering flags, banners and other display applications is still relatively low in numbers. In reality this should make decisions easier, with would-be purchasers having the option to stick with the well-known names rather than venture down the route offered by unknown companies from the Far East who don't have a visible track record in our part of the world.

Familiar names, such as Mimaki and Mutoh, are now well associated with dye-sublimation printers that cover entry-level needs up to the mid-range, joined more recently by Epson. The likes of Hollanders, Durst and EFI are now joined by manufacturers whose names might not be familiar, although their technology is, with MTex being an example. All these companies offer workable solutions, having a good pedigree in the textile market that should encourage interested parties.

But textiles go far beyond the production of soft signs and flags. FESPA 2013 has segmented the fabric side with its own title, as in previous shows, and this sector covers screen printing and embroidery as well as digital technologies, with emphasis on garment decoration and promotional printing. Kornit Digital is corporate sponsor of this part of the exhibition and, occupying a sizeable chunk of hall space, FESPA Fabric sits inside the main event as a show within a show.

Because the more industrial side of textile printing has always played a significant part in FESPA exhibitions back in the analogue age, it was inevitable that it, too, would be swept up in the vortex of digital advances. As a logical extension to roll-fed technology using standard ink formulations, dye-sublimation was certain to follow, along with acid and reactive options and, more recently, pigmented inks. These are all evident in the more industrial types of machines being exhibited by the likes of Kornit Digital, Stork Prints, Konica Minolta, Durst, MS and La Meccanica among others.

But, like it or not, the digital textile market in the display sector still has a long way to go before it becomes a regular part of a sign-maker's or PSP's armoury, and this is despite the many perceived advantages that can be gleaned from printing onto fabrics rather than conventional materials. The many environmental advantages have been trumpeted loud and clear as a major benefit of working with polyesters and mixes, and handling and logistics are both plus points when considering deliveries and installation.

However, there still seems to be a sticking point when it comes to display producers wanting to make the leap into the arena for fabric production and, in the same way that FESPA has taken other areas of digital print under its wing, so it has with textile printing. Unlike other technologies, the methodology and techniques associated with this particular process contain a learning curve but, even so, the potential for bringing something new to the party in terms of output cannot be denied.