Insider Spotlight
Why it matters
As the region reinforces its position as a global textile manufacturing hub, print providers are under pressure to deliver customization, speed and sustainability at the same time.
Digital dye-sublimation is emerging as a critical enabler, allowing businesses to meet environmental goals while expanding into more profitable segments.
The big picture
The Epson-commissioned study finds that companies investing in digital dye-sublimation are recording revenue growth eight times faster than those relying solely on traditional screen printing.
Average growth reached 8.4 percent over a 24-month period, compared with just above 1 percent for screen-printing-only operations.
This performance is closely tied to dye-sublimation’s ability to support short runs, on-demand production and multi-design outputs, while avoiding the waste typically associated with analog methods.
Driving high-value demand
Eco-conscious production is proving compatible with premium applications. More than four in five print providers now serve the apparel and sportswear segment, particularly polyester-based garments well suited for dye-sublimation.
The report also points to diversification into homeware, cited by 36 percent of providers, and footwear, at 33 percent. These segments tend to command higher margins and place a premium on design complexity, durability and fast turnaround.
Between the lines
Lifestyle-driven customization is amplifying demand. The growth of marathons, outdoor activities and branded events across Southeast Asia has increased interest in personalized sportswear and commemorative apparel, areas where dye-sublimation’s flexibility provides a clear competitive advantage.
Sustainability as strategy
Seven in 10 surveyed providers say sustainability is important to their business even when customers do not explicitly require it. Among companies using only digital dye-sublimation, that figure rises to 88 percent.
Compared with screen printing, the technology reduces water use, limits chemical inks and cuts waste, while also improving workplace health and safety by lowering worker exposure to harmful substances.
“Digital dye-sublimation is not only eco-conscious, but it also reduces energy use, limits chemical exposure for workers, cuts waste and opens high-value market opportunities,” Masako Kusama, president and director of Epson Philippines corporation, said in a press statement on Feb. 3, 2026.
What’s next
A perception gap remains. Only about one-third of providers believe customers place the same importance on sustainability, highlighting an opportunity for technology suppliers and industry groups to better communicate how eco-conscious printing supports quality, efficiency and long-term value.
Taken together, the findings suggest sustainability is no longer just a compliance issue for Southeast Asia’s textile printers. When paired with digital dye-sublimation, it is becoming a pathway to higher-value markets and more resilient growth. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
