The Print Show 2026: Our Takeaways, Technology Highlights, and What's Next for Garment Decoration
The Print Show 2026 has wrapped up, and for the Resolute team, it was one of the most productive events in our recent calendar. Held at the NEC Birmingham from 29th September to 1st October, the show brought together garment decorators, printers, and brand owners looking for real production solutions, and we came ready to demonstrate what's possible with modern textile DTF and UV DTF technology.
If you couldn't make it to the show, or if you're still weighing up your next equipment investment, this post breaks down what we showcased, what visitors were most excited about, and why now is a strong moment to start or upgrade your garment printing workflow.
What We Brought to The Print Show 2026
This year, our stand direction shifted noticeably from previous Resolute appearances. We moved away from tight spaces, displayed our machines more openly, and focused on making information clear from a distance with better elevation and signage. The goal was simple: offer clear pricing with our 0% finance offer, show live production, and make capabilities instantly understandable at a glance.
We ran continuous live demos across the three days, with at least one printer producing samples throughout opening hours so visitors always saw an active workflow rather than static displays.
UV DTF Printing Solutions
We focused on our range of UV DTF Printing solutions, which continue to gain traction among decorators working across mixed substrates. On the stand, we highlighted:
R-Jet PRO DTF™ UV61-3Di – a versatile UV DTF system designed for wide-format decoration across rigid and semi-flexible materials
R-Jet PRO DTF™ UVi-3D – a compact UV DTF option that opens up textured, dimensional print effects on a broader range of surfaces
Both systems support decoration on a variety of substrates, including select garments, promotional products, and branded merchandise. For shops already running garment work, UV DTF adds a complementary capability: hard-surface and special-effect jobs that sit alongside core textile production without requiring a completely separate workflow.
Resolute Premium TPU Film Range
Alongside the hardware, we showcased our Resolute Premium selection of TPU film processes, which proved to be a major conversation point with visitors:
Crystal Patch™ – a clear, high-gloss TPU option for clean, vibrant transfers
Metallic TPU – metallic effects without the complexity of traditional foiling setups
Faux Embroidery – a raised, textured finish that mimics the look and feel of real embroidery without needing traditional embroidery machines
The faux embroidery finish in particular drew significant interest from brands and decorators looking for a premium look with simpler production. It provides a clean copy of the real thing, with far less setup, and no need to invest in multi-head embroidery equipment. For smaller studios or shops adding branded apparel as a secondary revenue stream, this is a meaningful shift in what's achievable.
High Gamut DTF Printer Range
For core garment decorators, our 9-colour high gamut DTF printers remained central to the stand:
R-JET PRO DTF™ V4HG – a balanced workhorse for bright, complex prints with extended 9 colour range
R-Jet PRO DTF™ V9HG – a faster, higher-throughput version for shops running larger volumes or more demanding turnarounds. 9 colour ink set with up to 50m an hour in production mode.
The high gamut systems continue to resonate with printers who need brighter colours, deeper blacks, and more accurate skin tones across cotton, polyester, and blends. Several visitors specifically noted the difference in colour depth when comparing standard CMYK+White setups against the 9-colour high gamut output on the same designs.
CraftyJet™ SockPod by Resolute
One of the standout launches at the show was the CraftyJet™ SockPod by Resolute, our first Direct to Fabric Printer designed especially for socks. Built on a 360° cylindrical printing system, the SockPod targets:
Home studios and craft sellers adding custom socks to their product range
Existing garment printers diversifying into niche, high-margin decorated socks
Brands testing limited runs of custom sock designs before scaling
For its size, the SockPod is compact enough for small spaces while still delivering full-colour, wraparound sock decoration. It fits neatly into our CraftyJet™ family by being approachable, creator-first, and backed by Resolute's technical support and consumables ecosystem.
What Visitors Were Asking About
Across the three days, several themes came up repeatedly in conversations on the stand:
"Can I run garment and hard-surface work from one setup?"
UV DTF plus standard DTF in the same shop was a common target configuration.
"How close does faux embroidery really look to the real thing?"
Sample packs and live comparisons helped here, with many visitors surprised by the texture and depth achievable.
"Is now a good time to enter DTF, or is the market saturated?"
The consistent answer from our team: differentiation through special effects, niche products (like socks), and faster turnaround is still very much available for new and upgrading entrants.
The overall sentiment was clear: decorators are not just looking for "another printer".
They're looking for systems that expand what they can offer, improve margins, and reduce dependence on a single product type or customer segment.
If You Couldn't Make It to The Print Show
Not everyone could get to the NEC this year, but the technology we showcased is available now for demo and installation. For those who missed the live demos, we're offering:
Remote consultations to walk through your current setup and identify where DTF
or UV DTF could fit
Sample pack requests for Resolute Premium TPU films, including Crystal Patch, Metallic TPU, and faux embroidery finishes
On-site demos of the R-Jet PRO DTF™ UV61-3Di, UVi-3D, V4HG, V9HG,
and CraftyJet™ SockPod.
Why Now Is a Strong Time to Start or Upgrade
The print market continues to shift toward shorter runs, faster turnarounds, and more customised products. DTF and UV DTF sit well within that trend:
Lower setup costs compared to traditional screen printing for short runs
Broader substrate compatibility, especially when combining garment DTF with UV DTF for hard surfaces
Special effects like faux embroidery and metallic finishes without major additional equipment
Niche product opportunities like custom socks via the SockPod system
Whether you're entering garment decoration for the first time or upgrading from an older DTF setup, the current generation of Resolute and CraftyJet™ systems is designed to scale with you.
