India, Oct. 31 -- As the textile world pivots from tradition to technology, Orange O Tec Pvt. Ltd. has emerged as one of the key players leading this transition in India. In a conversation with Textile Insights, Aayush Rathi, Director of Orange O Tec, discusses how innovation, sustainability, and the company's 'Make in India' approach are shaping the digital future of textile printing.
What is driving the shift from traditional to digital textile printing, and how does Orange O Tec fit into this transformation?
The textile industry is going through one of its most meaningful transitions in decades. Across India, China, and Bangladesh which together account for nearly 70% of global textile production the demand for efficiency, design flexibility, and production control has made digital printing not just an alternative, but a necessity.
At Orange O Tec, we recognized this early and decided to bridge the gap between traditional and digital systems. Through our collaboration with Homer, we introduced the Rocket printer for established process houses that want to integrate digital technology without altering their existing setup. At the same time, our FabPro series, assembled under our brand Colorix, is built for traders and job workers who want to start small, manage their own production, and grow gradually.
Both machines serve different market segments but share one purpose empowering every business, big or small, to embrace digital printing on their own terms.
How do Rocket and FabPro complement each other in addressing the diverse needs of India's textile market?
Rocket is a hybrid system that merges rotary and digital technology, designed for large-scale process houses. It allows them to transition seamlessly from conventional methods while maintaining productivity, space efficiency, and workforce stability.
FabPro, on the other hand, is a modular solution that can be configured from 8 to 32 print heads. It is perfect for smaller businesses that want flexibility start with a minimal setup and expand as demand grows. Together, these machines enable us to cater to both ends of the market, helping India's textile ecosystem evolve more inclusively.
How significant are the sustainability benefits of digital printing compared to conventional methods?
Sustainability isn't just a marketing word anymore it's an operational necessity. With pigment-based digital printing, water usage is eliminated entirely, which is a huge win for an industry that has traditionally been water-intensive.
In reactive printing too, the savings are substantial. Conventional processes consume up to three times more dye and require extensive washing and drying. Digital printing uses a precise spray mechanism controlled by software, which drastically reduces water, chemical, and energy consumption. The environmental impact is lower, and the operational costs follow the same curve. It's a rare case where sustainability and profitability align perfectly.
Which regions and product categories are seeing the fastest adoption of digital printing?
The adoption is spreading far beyond the traditional strongholds. Surat, Ahmedabad, and Mumbairemain dominant, with Surat alone accounting for around 45% of India's textile printing. But what's exciting is the rise ofnewer hubs in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where small entrepreneurs are setting up digital facilities without massive infrastructure investments.
Globally, China leads with over 120 single-pass digital printers, followed by Bangladesh with nearly 20. India is on a similar growth trajectory and, in the next few years, we expect to see double-digit expansion as more clusters go digital.
You mentioned that digital printing requires less investment. How accessible is it for new entrants?
That's one of the biggest advantages. A sublimation setup today can start at around Rs 40-50 lakh. A full-fledged reactive digital setup might go up to Rs 2-3 crore a fraction of what it costs to establish a conventional mill, which can easily exceed Rs 25 crore and require vast factory space.
Digital setups, in contrast, need as little as 1,000-1,500 square feet, or about 5,000 for a complete operation. This accessibility is what's fueling the rise of new printing entrepreneurs across India.
How are sustainability goals and consumer trends like fast fashion and customization influencing your growth?
Fast fashion and sustainability are no longer opposing forces; they're converging through technology. Today's consumers want freshness, variety, and transparency shorter design runs, personalized prints, and eco-friendly production.
Global brands such as Zara and H&M already rely on digital printing for speed and sustainability. Indian brands are following suit. Digital printing supports this model perfectly: it allows smaller runs, faster turnaround, and minimal resource waste all essential traits for modern apparel, home decor, and lifestyle categories.
What's your current growth outlook, and how does the 'Make in India' strategy fit in?
We're projecting around 25-30% growth this year, driven largely by domestic manufacturing. We've already started producing both printers and inks in India, reducing our reliance on imports and strengthening our cost structure. This gives us a clear supply chain advantage.
India has a long-standing edge in dyes and inks, and we're building on that strength to compete globally. While short-term challenges exist like currency fluctuations and reduced export demand digital printing's flexibility makes it far more resilient than traditional models. It allows manufacturers to produce smaller, customized runs without carrying heavy overheads.
Could you share a client success story that highlights the practical impact of your technology?
Our first Rocket customer was so satisfied with the cost efficiency and print quality that they placed an order for a second machine before the first was even fully operational. Achieving production costs comparable to conventional printing but with the flexibility of digital is a real breakthrough.
On the FabPro side, we've seen traders completely transform their business models. One client who installed five FabPro printers no longer depends on external process houses. They now manage production in-house, which has improved their quality control, turnaround times, and profit margins significantly.
How does Orange O Tec ensure reliability, service, and uptime for customers?
In digital printing, uptime is everything. We've built a strong service and spare parts network that ensures rapid response times. We're also implementing a CRM-based digital service platform equipped with AI tools for predictive maintenance. Customers will be able to monitor response times, receive real-time alerts, and plan preventive maintenance ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity.
What does the future look like for Rocket and FabPro?
The roadmap ahead is ambitious. The Rocket line will continue evolving as a hybrid model that blends rotary and digital strengths, thanks to our collaboration with Geelong and Homeward.
FabPro, built in India, currently offers a 24-head machine capable of producing 5,500 metres a day about 20% more cost-effective than similar Chinese systems. We're now preparing to launch FabPro 3, a 32-head version, followed by a 64-head model next year.
We're also introducing Position Pro, a camera-guided technology for high-precision printing on embroidery and fabric placements developed locally to replace imported alternatives.
Each innovation moves us closer to one goal: making India self-reliant, sustainable, and globally competitive in digital textile printing.
Finally, how do you see the future of digital printing in India?
The momentum is irreversible. We're witnessing a clear shift from volume-driven to value-driven manufacturing. Brands are demanding flexibility, consumers are asking for responsibility, and technology is enabling both.
Digital printing is not merely the next chapter it's the new foundation of textile manufacturing. And we're proud to be part of the movement that's helping India lead this transformation.
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