The ASI Fort Worth Show is one of the key industry events for professionals in promotional products, apparel decoration, and print-on-demand technologies. Earlier this month, the DTFPrinter.News team attended the event to explore the latest developments in garment printing, direct-to-film (DTF) technology, and promotional product innovation.
Held in Fort Worth, Texas, the show brought together manufacturers, print shops, distributors, and technology providers from across the apparel printing ecosystem. From DTF transfer solutions to advanced heat press equipment and automated printing systems, the show floor featured innovations designed to help printing businesses grow and scale.
A Busy Show Floor with Hundreds of Industry Professionals
Walking through the exhibition hall, it was clear that the promotional products and apparel decoration industries continue to expand. Booths from suppliers, printing companies, and promotional brands attracted steady traffic throughout the day.
Attendees included:
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Print shop owners
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Apparel decorators
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Promotional product distributors
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Print-on-demand businesses
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Equipment manufacturers
Many visitors were actively exploring new production methods and equipment that could help them improve efficiency and expand their product offerings.
DTF Printing Technology Continues to Grow
One of the most noticeable trends at the event was the strong presence of direct-to-film printing technology. Over the past few years, DTF has become one of the fastest-growing printing methods in the apparel decoration industry.
Compared to traditional screen printing or other transfer methods, DTF offers several advantages:
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Works on a wide range of fabrics
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Lower setup costs
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Suitable for small batch production
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High detail and color accuracy
At the show, several companies demonstrated DTF printers, transfer systems, and automated powder shaker equipment.
Among the technologies showcased were systems from STS Inks, a manufacturer known for its professional direct-to-film printing solutions. Their booth displayed a complete DTF production workflow, including printers, powder shaker systems, and curing equipment.
These types of integrated systems are designed to help print shops streamline production while maintaining consistent print quality.
DTF Transfer Solutions and Apparel Decoration
Another highlight on the show floor was the growing ecosystem around DTF transfer services. Instead of printing in-house, many apparel decorators now rely on specialized transfer providers.
One example was the booth from Ninja Transfers, which showcased its fast-turnaround DTF transfer services. Their booth demonstrations highlighted several key selling points:
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Fast order turnaround
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Easy peel transfer technology
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High durability prints
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Professional quality results
This type of service is especially attractive for small businesses, Etsy sellers, and print-on-demand brands that want to offer custom apparel without investing in full printing equipment.
Heat Press Equipment and Production Workflow
Heat press equipment also played a significant role at the event. Reliable heat presses remain an essential part of the DTF production process, ensuring transfers bond correctly with garments.
Visitors could see various press models designed for:
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high-volume production
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small shop setups
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automated pressing workflows
Live demonstrations allowed attendees to watch transfers being applied to garments in real time.
These demonstrations help printing professionals better understand how different pieces of equipment work together in a complete production environment.
Print-on-Demand and Ecommerce Integration
Another interesting area highlighted at the event was the integration between printing technology and ecommerce platforms.
Many companies are now building solutions that connect production workflows with platforms such as:
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Shopify
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Etsy
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Amazon
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TikTok Shop
This type of integration allows businesses to automatically route orders from online stores directly to production systems.
For print shops and online apparel brands, this can significantly simplify order fulfillment and reduce manual work.
Promotional Products and Custom Merchandise
Beyond apparel printing equipment, the show floor also featured a wide variety of promotional merchandise including:
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custom bags
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drinkware
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branded accessories
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corporate gifts
These products are often decorated using printing technologies such as DTF, screen printing, or heat transfer methods.
For businesses in the promotional product industry, combining apparel decoration with merchandise production creates additional revenue opportunities.
Why Events Like the ASI Show Matter
Industry events like the ASI Fort Worth Show remain important because they allow professionals to:
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discover new technology
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meet equipment manufacturers
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build supplier relationships
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learn about new production workflows
In a rapidly evolving industry such as apparel printing, staying updated with new tools and trends can make a significant difference in business growth.
Final Thoughts
The ASI Fort Worth Show once again demonstrated the rapid growth of the apparel decoration and promotional products industries. With the increasing popularity of DTF printing, new equipment, transfer services, and integrated production solutions are continuing to reshape how custom apparel is produced.
For print shops, ecommerce brands, and apparel decorators, the technologies showcased at the event highlight how accessible and scalable modern printing solutions have become.
As the industry continues to evolve, events like the ASI Show provide valuable insight into where apparel printing and customization are heading next.
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