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Tech Trends From Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025 – Part 2

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  • Post published:Jan 31, 2025
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025 was nothing short of a game-changer for the garment decoration industry. From groundbreaking DTF printing innovations to next-level automation, this year’s expo was packed with tech that’s reshaping screen printing, embroidery, and digital decorating. If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here’s a recap and walkthrough of the hottest trends straight from the show floor.

DTF Printing Took Over Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025

If there was one standout trend this year, it was Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing dominating the expo. Major players showcased nine-color DTF printers, pushing beyond the standard CMYK setup for richer colors and more precise details.

Cobraflex led the charge with a DTF printer featuring 15 print heads, producing 2,500 square feet of prints per hour—a speed that’s unheard of in the industry. Meanwhile, Epson surprised attendees with a budget-friendly $13K wide-format DTF printer, bringing high-end quality to smaller print shops.

With faster, more efficient DTF solutions, businesses are now seeing an alternative to traditional screen printing that reduces setup time and increases flexibility.

Automation Is Revolutionizing Production

Labor costs and efficiency challenges are pushing print shops toward automation, and this year’s Impressions Expo delivered big.

One of the most jaw-dropping innovations was the Roc Impress heat press, which auto-places, auto-peels, and auto-removes shirts—allowing a single operator to press up to 500+ shirts per hour. For high-volume print shops, this is a game-changer for reducing labor costs.

Another standout was the Cobrafles Stealth DTF printer, designed to combat humidity issues with a built-in AC unit and humidifier—solving one of the biggest challenges DTF printers face in fluctuating environments.

These automation-driven solutions prove that the future of garment decoration is all about efficiency, speed, and scalability.

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Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025 Fuels Collaboration

Beyond the tech, one of the biggest takeaways from Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025 was the power of industry connections.

Ari Minassian of Rapt Clothing summed it up perfectly: “We’re not competitors—we’re a community. We share solutions, ideas, and even clients. There’s always a way to carve your niche in this industry.”

Print shop owners, decorators, and suppliers gathered to swap strategies, discover new products, and build relationships that drive long-term business success. The expo wasn’t just about seeing the newest machines—it was about learning, collaborating, and staying ahead of the curve.

Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025 Was One For The Books!

Impressions Expo Long Beach 2025 made one thing clear: tech is transforming the garment decoration industry. With DTF innovations, automation breakthroughs, and a growing community of industry leaders, businesses that embrace these trends will gain a serious edge.

Couldn’t make it to Long Beach? Stay tuned for more DecoNetwork walkthroughs, insights, and cutting-edge print technology. The future is happening now—are you ready?