The potential of the textile and apparel industry in West Java\nremains substantial, even as global competition intensifies. According\nto Bryan W. Arsaha, Project Manager of Moremedia Indonesia, changing\nconsumer trends\u2014specifically the rising demand for custom printing,\nprint-on-demand, and fast fashion\u2014are presenting new opportunities\ncurrently being explored by small and medium-sized enterprises.<\/p>\n
Arsaha noted that the demand for production technology and garment\ndecoration in Bandung remains high. This is evidenced by the high\nenthusiasm of participating companies that regularly attend the\nIndonesia Apparel Production Expo (IAPE).<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, new participants like Brother Singter have joined,\nalongside returning companies such as Kain and Cater. These companies\nparticipate regularly. Because demand in Bandung is quite high, they\nusually make bookings for the next exhibition immediately after this one\nconcludes,\u201d said Bryan during the Indonesia Apparel Production Expo\n(IAPE) 2026, held at the Bandung Convention Centre from 2\u20135 September\n2026.<\/p>\n
He stated that West Java remains a vital base for the national\ntextile industry, with several large companies already possessing\ninternational markets. However, the domestic textile industry continues\nto face serious challenges from nations capable of offering more\ncompetitive production costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cLarge companies in West Java are indeed operating at an export\nscale. However, the challenge is that certain countries, such as Vietnam\nand Bangladesh, provide more competitive production prices,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
According to Bryan, the primary challenge for the Indonesian textile\nindustry is reducing production costs while simultaneously producing\ngoods that are increasingly accepted by the market. Conversely, shifts\nin consumption patterns are opening significant doors for medium and\nsmall-scale textile industries.<\/p>\n
Bryan assessed that demand for custom printing and print-on-demand is\ncurrently experiencing significant growth. \u201cFor the medium and small\nscale, the demand is based on print-on-demand and custom printing. That\nis the current trend, which in the fashion world is known as fast\nfashion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon is visible in the growth of various hobby-based\ncommunities, ranging from runners to motorcyclists. Every activity and\ncommunity now tends to have its own specific clothing identity or\njersey. \u201cFor example, a jersey might only be used for a single running\nevent. That specific demand is currently very high. Every running event\nrequires new jerseys, and every rider community has its own custom\ncostume. That demand is immense,\u201d Bryan explained.<\/p>\n
Aulia Sunhandhyka, Founder of IAPE, noted that the 2026 edition marks\nthe 11th time the expo has been held since its inception in 2014. Bryan\nremarked that technological advancement is a key differentiator in each\nexhibition. While screen printing dominated the apparel decoration\nindustry in the early years, digital printing technology has since\nexpanded rapidly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of technology specifically, it changes every year. In 2014,\nscreen printing was very dominant. Since then, new technologies like\nDirect-to-Film (DTF) and Direct-to-Garment (DTG)\u2014which prints directly\nonto fabric\u2014have developed significantly,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Usman Batubara, Chairman of KOPI Grafika, mentioned that\nwhile the growth in printing technology needs is continuing, the pace\nhas slowed. \u201cThe increase is not occurring under ideal conditions;\ngrowth is slowing. There is likely only about a 3 to 4 per cent increase\nin printing requirements,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
IAPE 2026 features 20 national companies representing over 40 brands\nthat support the garment production business. The exhibition showcases\nvarious apparel industry technologies and equipment, ranging from\nfabrics, screen printing equipment, sewing machines, and embroidery\nmachines to DTG, DTF, cutting machines, heat presses, and various\ndigital printing technologies.<\/p>\n
In addition to the exhibition, IAPE 2026 includes supporting\nactivities such as live demonstrations, 10 \u2018Apparel Talk\u2019 sessions\nfeaturing 15 speakers, and business matching. The exhibition, organised\nby Moremedia, is supported by BPD API West Java, DPD PPGI West Java, the\nWest Java Department of Industry and Trade, and the West Java Screen\nPrinting Community.<\/p>\n
The hosting of IAPE in Bandung is expected to maintain the city\u2019s\nposition as a barometer for the garment production industry and open new\nopportunities for garment, convection, screen printing, and digital\nprinting entrepreneurs amidst rapid technological change.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/west-java-textile-and-apparel-industry-seen-as-still-potentially-profitable-1788361254", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }