DTF Convention: Expertise and Networking

Around 75 participants attended the third DTF Convention at FOL International in Kaiserslautern. Fruit of the Loom, Russell Athletic® and JERZEES once again hosted the industry gathering, organised by the Academy for Textile Finishing (Aka-tex), with a focus on DTF and digital printing. The event also marked Fruit of the Loom’s 175^th anniversary and was held under the motto “175 Years of Fruit. Grown Together”.

The technical programme covered topics including a comparison of DTG and DTF, colour reproduction, troubleshooting, production costs and automated workflows. The presentation by Dennis Meyer of FOL International on CiCLO® technology attracted particular interest. This technology facilitates the biodegradation of synthetic fibres and is already being used by Fruit of the Loom for the new Iconic Premium Sweats and Iconic 250 Sweats.

The programme was complemented by an exhibition showcasing technologies and solutions from various suppliers, guided tours of Fruit of the Loom’s high-bay warehouse, and an embossing demonstration. For the first time, there were also three consultation sessions during which participants could discuss specific questions in small groups with DTF and digital printing experts. Topics included colour management and data preparation, dye migration on challenging materials, and the technical complexity of DTF printing. According to the organisers, the new format was well received. The online feedback received from participants so far has been consistently positive.

The professional discussions continued in a relaxed atmosphere during the barbecue. In his closing remarks to VTTD members, Günter Söndgerath from the Association of German Textile Finishers (VTTD), of which Fruit of the Loom is a supporting member, highlighted the combination of specialist information, direct contact with suppliers and industry networking. With its third edition, the DTF Convention has once again established itself as a key industry gathering, combining the latest technological developments with practical insights and personal networking.

Image: A packed house: The third DTF Convention at FOL International GmbH in Kaiserslautern on24 September 2026, shown here during a presentation by Marcel Rüffer from dtf-express. Photo: Fruit of the Loom