The first quarter of the year is a time to reflect on the previous year and plan actions on how to make the coming months better. Our team, with its years of experience in the screen-printing industry, examined where the industry is and where it is going. This blog will report our findings on the top screen-printing industry trends for you to consider in 2023.
Better Processes
Any business should want to improve its workflow to limit production time, get products to customers faster, and receive their profits. Take the time to examine your print shop’s process, and you may find some friction points that could help your business run more efficiently.
Having the latest software will also help your business better control data entry, scheduling, production tracking, and visualization. You may also want to reevaluate your equipment and consider what you trade in and upgrade.
Technology Investment
Speaking of equipment, your screen-printing business could see improvements in production with some key investments in better technology. Screen printing has come a long way since it was first introduced; the technology revolution in the late 1900s and early 2000s boosted the industry’s innovation, and it has continued to improve.
Automation
Incorporating an automated workflow into your shop means increasing productivity, decreasing labor expenses, reducing the number of errors, and increasing the quality of your prints. Automation in the screen-printing industry is a topic we discussed early last year if you want to learn more about the benefits.
Computer-to-Screen Printing
Computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging machines digitally image the screen for exposure.. Your shop could already save money when you use them because they do not use film; image quality is also improved, and exposure times are reduced. While CTS machines can run high in price, they are an investment to better your productivity and reduce overhead costs.
If you’re interested in a CTS system, EXILE Technologies welcomes you to speak with our experienced professionals about your printing needs. We have CTS printers, thermal imagesetters, and other printing solutions.
Specialty Printing
Graphic T-shirts have been a classic fashion staple for years, but the artistic styles they feature constantly evolve and vary widely. However, there are a few T-shirt printing trends that have picked up recently.
Special effect (SFX) printing is one way to keep your T-shirt prints up with the latest trends since today’s market is drawn to different textures and effects. Offering special inks like puff, glitter, suede, shimmer, and high-density is one way to accomplish this, but always double-check you are using the appropriate mesh count to achieve the best results.
Ensure that your artistic team is also up to date with the latest aesthetic trends. Vaporwave, cottage-core, Y2K, and streetwear are just a few of the fashion aesthetics that are taking the internet by storm. Keeping up with these trends means you can better understand custom orders when they come.
Online Sales & Customer Acquisition
Online shopping was pioneered in 1979 by connecting a TV to a computer via a telephone line, and it only skyrocketed when Amazon was introduced in 1995. Google ads, smartphones, and online payment tools that followed only made it easier, and the 2020 pandemic made it almost a necessity with social distancing rules.
Ensuring you have a user-friendly website that not only tells customers about your company but also gives them a purchasing method is a must-have in 2023. However, a more recent trend in eCommerce is the introduction of shopping through social media, and in-app shopping is predicted to only grow through 2026.
Update Marketing
While on the topic of social media, your screen-printing business needs the latest digital marketing to keep up with your competition. Utilizing pay-per-click and social media ads, content creation, search engine optimization, and email marketing, among other marketing methods, are all ways you can market your shop online to gain new leads. Our team discusses in detail what popular 2023 marketing trends screen-printing businesses can utilize to stand above their competition.
Green Initiatives
The discussion of climate change has been going on for years, but in more recent years, the conversation has shifted from consumers changing their daily habits to businesses changing their practices. Since the market is now willing to invest more in environment-friendly products, it may be time to start looking into how your print shop can cut down its negative environmental impact.
Some of the ways to make your shop greener are to utilize eco-friendly chemicals and water-based inks, enforce waste recycling, and invest in proper filtration systems. Switching your chemicals is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get started on your green initiatives.
Being more conscious about recycling is also an easy way to be more eco-friendly. Many items like rags, empty plastic containers, cardboard boxes, etc., end up in a shop’s garbage—and thus, landfills—rather than being recycled to be repurposed. To be on top of the market, your shop should start investing in green practices today.
Become an Innovative Screen Printer
By incorporating and investing in these screen-printing industry trends, you can stand out from your competitors and gain client trust and loyalty. Your business doesn’t need to do everything all at once. You should invest in what makes the most sense for where your business is at, and then you can make plans to do more as your business grows.
EXILE Technologies is always here to become your partner in electronic pre-press and digital textile print. Contact us today to see how we can help you!
