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With Direct-to-Object printing promising to be a hot topic as the doors to PacPrint 2025 open today (Tuesday 20th May), Inkcups features two strong DTO options on its stand D30, with live demos both of its X5-T high-performance flatbed UV digital printer and its benchtop cylindrical UV inkjet printer the Helix ONE - powered by patented Helix technology.
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There's no doubt that, on the world stage, Australia's creative fashion brilliance shines brightly but, so little gets manufactured here. Short-run digital production is steadily changing the equation but there's still a long way to go. Industry collaborators are seeking a research partner to assess feasibility of a technology innovation hub.
It is appropriate that the initiative has been announced at the start of 'Made in Australia' week
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and Epson Australia have launched an initiative to evaluate the potential for an AI and digitally powered smart factory to advance Australia's clothing manufacturing capabilities. The organisations are seeking a qualified research partner to conduct a six-month feasibility study that will create a detailed blueprint for a pilot facility combining digital design and print, automation, and AI technologies to revolutionise local production.
The announcement comes just one week after the AFC unveiled its commitment to developing Australia's first-ever National Manufacturing Strategy for the fashion and textile industry. This smart factory feasibility study will evaluate how cutting-edge technology can form a key pillar in rebuilding sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
What is a 'smart factory'?
A clothing smart factory is an automated production facility that enables on-demand, customisable garment manufacturing with minimal waste and fast turnaround times. By bringing together digital design and print and advanced manufacturing technologies with AI-powered systems and analytics, smart factories enable quick, flexible production runs that respond rapidly to market trends without the high minimum order quantities that can result in overproduction.
Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the Australian Fashion Council, says: "This smart factory initiative 
AFC's Jaana Quaintance-Jamesaddresses multiple challenges facing Australian fashion manufacturing, from supply chain disruptions to skills shortages. Our sector is at a critical tipping point. The feasibility study will validate whether a smart factory pilot program can be commercially viable while delivering broader benefits as part of an integrated advanced manufacturing ecosystem."
Research commissioned by the AFC has estimated that for every $1 million invested in returning production to Australia, approximately $1.2 million in economic returns could be generated through job creation, technology adoption, strengthened local supply chains, and reduced import dependencies.
Epson's Craig HeckenbergCraig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia, says: "Epson is committed to supporting innovation in Australian manufacturing as we believe Epson’s digital textile printing technology can help build a more sustainable world and improve lives. Our partnership with the AFC and this blueprint and initiative will help local brands, big and small, have access to smart manufacturing capabilities that match their scale and ambition.
"For smaller brands, it means producing high quality garments locally, on demand. For larger companies it offers a blueprint to implement smart factory practices within their operations. As a result, we see a future where Australian-made sustainable fashion will set the global standard, leading not just in design, but also in ethical, high-tech manufacturing.”
Why a Feasibility Study?
Before committing significant resources to establish a smart factory, the AFC and Epson recognise the 
importance of thoroughly validating the concept and learning from other local and international examples. The comprehensive six-month study will assess market viability, technical requirements, operational models, financial projections, and social and environmental considerations to create a detailed implementation roadmap.
"This isn't just a research exercise, it's the foundation for action," adds Quaintance-James. "Following completion of the study toward the end of 2025, we'll develop a detailed implementation plan to secure investment partnerships, finalise specifications for an initial pilot, develop training programs with educational institutions, and create a governance framework to maximise benefits to the Australian fashion industry."
Epson's Heckenberg notes: "The smart factory concept represents a transformative shift toward 'rapid agile' on-demand manufacturing,” "Rather than speculative production, this approach enables creating products in response to actual consumer demand, simultaneously addressing profitability challenges and environmental concerns."
The initiative aims to retain sovereign manufacturing capability, rebuild local supply chains, drive digital innovation, and upskill the workforce through educational partnerships.
Call for Research Partners
The AFC and Epson Australia are seeking research partners with experience in technology and innovation, fashion and textile industry expertise, stakeholder engagement, comprehensive research and analysis skills, and financial analysis capabilities.
Research partners may be Australian-based or international organisations with the capacity to conduct a thorough feasibility study that delivers actionable recommendations.
Interested parties should submit their expressions of interest by Sunday, 15th June 2025.
For more information, please contact: Sam Delgos, Industry Relations Manager, AFC, sdelgos@ausfashioncouncil.com, or Mobile: 0405 566 313
The complete program page can be found here.
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ASIC records show that a series of seven meetings took place with vested parties in Reacon Australia between March 17th and April 8th, when it entered administration. Reacon Australia is now subject to a liquidation order, following the May 9th Federal Court ruling, but can continue to trade pending any appeal..
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It’s not every day that a company places an order for the installation of 10-20 presses over the next two years…but Vistaprint parent Cimpress has done exactly that, announcing a landmark deal to install 10- 20 new HP Indigo 120K or HP Indigo 18K digital presses globally throughout 2025 and 2026.
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A late flurry of new exhibitors, including ORAFOL, Jetmark, Workflowz, Bottcher, Graffica, Prytec, Canson, Kayell Australia, Canon Photo & Fine Art Printers and Ricoh, – all signing up for stands in the last few weeks – bodes well for foot traffic as PacPrint rides on the crest of a post-FESPA Global wave.
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Mimaki has formally announced a new strategic partnership with one of Australia’s leading distributors of printable materials and equipment - Ball & Doggett. Also in 'May-Maki' is new hire Troy Craigie in WA.
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Not quite the same stakes as The Hunger Games but bragging rights and a few daily prizes to be won by 3 of the 33 ‘contestants’ deemed eligible to enter into the Wrap Battle on each of the first three days of the show (11 ‘wrappers’ a day over Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd May) on Stand C18 in The Dome.
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The NSW government is reminding all business within and outside the state to act fast to gain the ATO's $20,000 instant asset write-off. It applies to multiple asset purchases too - $20k per asset! You'll need to apply before EOFY. There's also financial help on offer in hiring apprentices.
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With stand building already underway at the Sydney Showgrounds, this PacPrint could well be the most vibrant ever for Epson as they demonstrate their theme of “Come Alive with Epson” with new products producing the brightest of colours. Epson will have solutions for all categories in displays spanning photo, signage, merchandise and labels, on stand C48.
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Jo Biggar from Country Mile Signs will represent Women in Print Australia as its Regional Ambassador, in this week’s Northwest Regional Careers Expo on Wednesday 14th May at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Conference Centre (TRECC).
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Alongside FESPA’s own industry awards, the European Digital Press Association has been running a highly sought after technical award program since 2007, with hardware and software manufacturers alike seeking validation of their efforts in accord with the voting power of just over half a million readers determining the annual EDP Awards.
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Diversified media supplier Orafol Australia is a late exhibitor to join in at PacPrint, opening next week. The main focus will be on adhesive tapes and the specialised Oralite Eco Traffic sign printer/media/ink system that Orafol has pioneered.
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Marketers, agency leads and in-house creatives are invited to book in for an exclusive and free Creative Industry Day Tour at the region’s leading print, sign and visual communications show, PacPrint 2025, on Wednesday 21st May.
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Three Australian companies were amongst the winners at this year’s prestigious FESPA Awards ‘celebrating print excellence’ from around the world. This year saw 278 entries from over 30 countries, making the Gold Award from NEXT Printing and Silver Awards from Cactus Imaging and Image Box that much more remarkable.
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With the Report to creditors and details of the proposed DOCA for Reacon Australia and Mail Marketing Works barely a week old, the Federal Court has granted an order to liquidate Reacon Australia, sought by CTRLprint and respected Brisbane printer Printcraft, while MMW's fate will be decided this Friday 16th May at a 2nd meeting of creditors.
- Agfa focuses on sustainability, unveils four new inkjet printers at FESPA
- Mimaki becomes first manufacturer to offer SVHC- and CMR-free inks
- Adobe PE7 brings in-RIP Intelligence to prepress workflows
- EFI addresses the verticals at FESPA - Signage, Packaging, Textiles
- FESPA Global: officially open for business!
- Epson to show latest S8160 eco-solvent printer at PacPrint
- oOH!media CEO, Cathy O’Connor, steps down after four years at the helm
- Roland DG TrueVIS XP-640 wide-format eco-solvent inkjet printer achieves 3M warranty compliance
- Mutoh officially launches XpertJet C641SR Pro print & cut at PacPrint
- Planet Ark Cartridge recycler in administration
- Durst 'vorsprung von technik' at FESPA 2025
- Women in Print: ‘that’s a (breakfast) wrap!'
- Epson launches new SureColor V2060 A3 UV flatbed printer
- VMA Partners with Ecocrave to accelerate member Sustainability goals
- Mimaki ‘on a roll’ with more new technology at FESPA Global
