ITCPE Guangzhou 2026 drives textile digital ink growth
The global inkjet ink market has now surpassed 21.5 billion yuan in 2025, reflecting steady expansion driven by demand from digital printing applications across textiles, advertising, packaging, and imaging. China continues to play a central role in this growth, with a market size of around 4.417 billion yuan. Industry data also shows that consumption of digital inkjet printing inks is increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 18.6%, indicating a clear shift toward digital production methods.
A major driver behind this change is the rapid growth of digital textile printing. By 2025, global output of digitally printed fabrics is expected to reach 15.4 billion square meters, accounting for 26% of total printed fabric production. Within this space, China has moved quickly over the past decade. Its share of digital inkjet printing output has grown from just 2% in 2015 to 18% in 2023. Projections suggest that by 2030, China’s output could exceed 7 billion square meters, representing about 35% of global total production.
This growth is closely linked to changes in global supply chains. Fast fashion and e-commerce continue to demand shorter production cycles, smaller batch sizes, and quicker design turnover. At the same time, traditional printing methods, which often rely on high energy use and large inventory systems, are gradually being replaced by digital printing systems that support on-demand production and reduce waste.
As demand rises, ink manufacturers are increasing investment in product development. Much of the focus is on improving color performance, production efficiency, and environmental compatibility. These developments are also expected to be highlighted at the 2026 (21st) Guangzhou International Textile, Clothing and Printing Industry Expo (ITCPE Guangzhou 2026), scheduled for May 19 to 21 at the Poly World Trade Center Expo in Guangzhou.
The exhibition is expected to bring together major ink producers and technology providers from across the industry. Many companies will present new ink formulations and digital printing solutions designed for textile applications, reflecting both technical progress and evolving market needs.
Key Exhibitors and Industry Direction
Several established manufacturers will take part in the event, each contributing different strengths to the digital ink ecosystem.
Zhuhai AOMYA Digital Technology, founded in 2010, has built a strong position in digital printing inks including textile pigment, UV, and advertising inks. With production facilities exceeding 25,000 square meters and an annual output of more than 10,000 tons, the company focuses on integrated ink solutions supported by a strong testing and quality control system.
Inkbank New Material Group, based in Shenzhen, brings around 20 years of experience in inkjet ink development. With a production base close to 50,000 square meters and capacity reaching 40,000 tons per year, it is one of the larger suppliers in China. Its product range includes sublimation, DTF, pigment, reactive, UV, and acid inks, supported by a research team led by long-term industry specialists.
Zhengzhou Hongsam Digital Science and Technology, founded in 2001, is another key player. The company focuses on eco-friendly inkjet inks and integrated printing solutions for textiles, imaging, and advertising applications. It is listed on China’s NEEQ system and has built a strong network of channel partners over two decades.
Foshan Kai Yan New Materials has quickly gained attention in the UV ink segment, ranking among the top domestic suppliers within a short period. The company produces both UV and water-based inks and emphasizes stable quality and compliance with global environmental standards such as RoHS and REACH.
Guangzhou Unity Peak New Materials Technology has specialized in pigment inks for textile printing. Its laboratory work includes long-term development of domestic alternatives to imported inks, with OEKO-TEX Class 1 certification maintained for over a decade. The company also integrates heat transfer systems and film-based applications into its product portfolio.
Other notable participants include Coremax (Foshan Create-Tide Digital Technology), which focuses on textile DTF and reactive inks with large-scale production capacity, and Zhuhai ChungKao New-Material Technology, which develops UV, DTG, and DTF inks supported by strong R&D experience.
Companies such as Kingjet Printers Consumables, INOJET Digital Technology, Saven Technology, and Runhua Digital Inkjet Technology are also expanding their presence in global markets. Their product ranges cover textile, sublimation, pigment, and industrial printing inks, often supported by international distribution networks and application-specific solutions.
Market Outlook
Across the industry, the direction is consistent. Digital inkjet printing is becoming more widely adopted as brands and manufacturers look for faster turnaround times and lower production waste. At the same time, environmental compliance is becoming a standard requirement rather than an optional feature, pushing ink developers toward safer formulations and cleaner production processes.
Events like ITCPE Guangzhou 2026 provide a space where these developments are not only displayed but also connected with real market demand. As digital textile printing continues to grow, ink manufacturers are expected to focus more on stability, compatibility across print systems, and application-specific performance.
The combination of rising demand, expanding production capacity, and ongoing product development suggests that digital inkjet inks will remain a key growth segment in the global textile and printing industry over the coming years.
