Digital textile printing poised for major expansion in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry has long relied on conventional printing methods, but the rapid rise of digital textile printing is gradually transforming the landscape. From local fashion markets to export-oriented production, the technology is reshaping how fabrics are designed, printed, and delivered. While adoption in Bangladesh started relatively later than in neighboring markets, the momentum has accelerated significantly in recent years.

In this conversation, Md Amanur Rahman, Managing Director of Dysin Group, shares a comprehensive perspective on the current market size of digital textile printing in Bangladesh, the factors driving its adoption, sustainability considerations, and the technological developments shaping the future of the sector.

TexSPACE Today: How would you assess the current market size of digital textile printing technology and inks in Bangladesh?

Amanur Rahman: To understand the market properly, it is important to separate the discussion between digital printers and digital inks. Over the last five years, the number of digital textile printers in Bangladesh has grown significantly, particularly in the local market.

The initial development of digital printing began in the export-oriented industry around 2015–16. However, the expansion into the local textile and fashion sector started around 2020. Since then, adoption in the local market has been very rapid.

Currently, there are more than 400 digital textile printers operating in the local market. Among these, machines from Atexco, which we represent, account for roughly 55 percent of the market share. Despite this growth, digital printing still represents only 20–25 percent of the total textile printing market in the local industry. That means nearly 75–80 percent of printing is still done through conventional methods, such as rotary, flatbed, or table printing, indicating strong future growth potential.

In the export sector, the situation is quite different. The number of reactive digital printers is still relatively small around 35 to 40 machines. Even if we consider a margin of variation, the total number is not much higher than that.

One reason for this difference is the structure of the industry. The local market has a large capacity for fabric printing, particularly for sarees, three-piece outfits, and dress materials. In contrast, export factories often rely more on garment-level printing, such as cut-piece or chest prints, which are commonly done using screen printing methods.

Another important point is that digital printing includes multiple technologies. Reactive printing on cotton fabrics is the most common type we refer to. However, there are also other digital methods such as sublimation printing on polyester. In sublimation printing, machines range from small units with two or four heads to large industrial machines with sixteen heads. As a result, counting machines alone does not always reflect actual production capacity.

On the ink side, at present,

We supply around 200 tons of digital ink per month, which is about 2,500 tons annually. The demand is growing at around 30–40 percent each year, and we expect our supply volume to reach approximately 3,500 tons within the next year.

TexSPACE Today: How sustainable is digital textile printing compared to conventional methods in Bangladesh’s production context?

Amanur Rahman: Digital printing can provide significant sustainability advantages, but it depends on the specific type of digital technology being used.

There are different categories, including reactive, pigment, disperse, sublimation, and acid digital printing. Each has different environmental implications.

Compared to conventional rotary or flatbed printing, digital printing reduces several resource-intensive steps. For example, it eliminates the need for screen preparation, which requires chemicals, water, and manual handling.

Another major advantage is production flexibility. In digital printing, manufacturers can produce very small quantities even a single meter of fabric. In conventional printing, there is usually a minimum run length, which can result in excess production and waste. Because of this flexibility, digital printing reduces water consumption and material waste, particularly during sampling and short production runs.

TexSPACE Today: What technological developments in inks are reshaping the competitive landscape?

Amanur Rahman: One of the early concerns in reactive digital printing was color fastness. Some users felt that digital prints did not penetrate fabrics as deeply as conventional prints, which could affect wash or rub fastness.

Today, new dyestuff formulations and improved process controls are addressing these issues. Modern reactive digital inks can now achieve performance levels comparable to conventional printing.

In the sublimation segment, there have also been improvements in color depth and brightness, including the introduction of fluorescent color ranges.

Another interesting development is direct disperse printing, where fabrics can be printed and then cured directly, producing results comparable to sublimation printing. This approach can reduce dependence on transfer paper, which is a significant cost factor.

In the pigment digital printing segment, the main challenge has been cost. If pigment ink prices become more affordable, adoption could increase rapidly. Pigment printing is particularly attractive because it can reduce water usage and simplify processing steps.

TexSPACE Today: What is the long-term potential of digital textile printing in Bangladesh?

Amanur Rahman: In the long term, we believe that most textile printing will eventually become digital. The technology continues to evolve, and cost barriers are gradually decreasing.

For example, if pigment digital printing becomes more economical, it could accelerate both adoption and sustainability benefits.

However, technology alone is not enough. The industry must also invest in skills and training. Operators need to understand digital printing systems, software management, machine maintenance, and process optimization.

At Dysin Group, we operate a demo and training center where new operators and technicians can learn how to use digital printers effectively. Customers who purchase machines from us can train their teams there to ensure smooth operation.

TexSPACE Today: Are there plans to expand ink manufacturing capabilities?

Amanur Rahman: Yes. One of the biggest challenges in the market today is cost. To address this, we are expanding our production capacity significantly, nearly doubling our current output.

We expect the overall digital ink market in Bangladesh to double within the next one or two years, so scaling production is necessary.

At the same time, we are investing heavily in research and development, quality control, and testing facilities. Ink production is highly technology-intensive. Every batch must go through rigorous testing to ensure consistency and performance.

In fact, around 30 percent of our total investment goes into R&D activities, which reflects the importance of continuous innovation in this field.

TexSPACE Today: What policy support could help accelerate industry growth?

Amanur Rahman: One of the key issues is the lack of policy incentives for research and development in Bangladesh.

In many developed and emerging economies, governments offer tax incentives or low-interest financing to companies investing in R&D. These measures encourage technological innovation and industrial competitiveness.

In Bangladesh, such support mechanisms are limited. If the government introduced tax incentives or special financing programs for R&D investments, it would significantly encourage local companies to develop new technologies and improve manufacturing capabilities.

This kind of policy support would not only benefit individual companies but also strengthen the overall technological capacity of the Bangladeshi textile industry.