Trends for men’s prints and graphics for the Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 season are centred around the theme of Expanded Imagination.
Technology is driving the new trend which is ushering in a wave of creativity for menswear.
In the coming years, artificial intelligence will help us come up with new ideas and human imagination will be valued for its ability to solve problems, create new things, and help us escape from the challenges of the world.
Web3 and the metaverse will make it easier for people to find and connect with things they love. This will make unique styles more popular.
We can expect to see clothes that are:
- Futuristic and flowing: With smooth lines and shapes
- Colourful and dynamic: Using techniques like ombré and spray effects
- Textured and tactile: With materials that feel interesting to touch
- Interactive: Changing based on their surroundings.
Surrealism, a style of art popular in the 1920s, is making a comeback. Designers are now using it to challenge traditional ideas and create products that are both strange and beautiful.
Colour trends for A/W 24/25
The colours in the A/W 24/25 Expanded Imagination trend mix light and dark, natural and artificial. Bright colours like Electric Kumquat and Crimson, inspired by video games, will be popular.
But there will also be a lot of calming colours, like Chalk, Cool Matcha and Cornflower. Minimalist designs will use just one or two colours, like Crimson and Pink Flame, for a bold look.
Prints and graphics
Sprayed Saturations
Concept: Expressive airbrush techniques elevate tie-dye to create standout pieces for colder seasons
Design direction: Create ombré gradients and textural patterns with a sprayed effect, emphasising artisanal craftsmanship for unique garments
Application and technique: Direct-to-garment methods are ideal for precise pattern alignment and showcasing craftsmanship. Water-based inks and natural dyes minimise environmental impact and preserve fabric softness, particularly effective for dyed knitwear.
Prism Geometrics
Concept: Artists explore light-driven prismatic effects to evolve geometric patterns with a scientific twist, ideal for refreshing men’s staples and partywear
Design direction: Emulate light-refracting prisms with opaque, bright shades to transform classic patterns such as Checkerboard and Polka Dot
Innovation: Use structural-colour colloidal photonic inks that change colour with tension, such as those developed by the National Research Foundation of Korea and Korea Toray Science Foundation
Sustainability: Opt for CMYK screen-printing and halftone techniques to reduce screen and ink usage and employ digital printing for seamless gradient effects
Chaotic Character Energy
Concept: Gen Z redefines ‘cool’ with an anti-normal attitude, evolving Main Character Energy through edgy designs and graffiti influences on graphic tops
Design direction: Collaborate with artists to create expressive graphics featuring villainous icons and playful monsters, resonating with avatar-style statements
Application and technique: Use personalisation to enhance product value, offering hand-painted aesthetics and unique remixes while minimising waste through DIY airbrush or printing workshops
Hyper-Prep
Concept: An anti-uniform approach meets Joyful Expression, evolving back-to-school styles with attention-grabbing designs under New Prep and Clubhouse themes
Design direction: Break traditional rules with variegated repeats and clashing brights, revitalising collegiate patterns like Argyle and Preppy Stripes for statement pieces
Sustainability: Refresh existing garments through patchwork for a one-of-a-kind appeal to Gen Z consumers seeking individuality
Y2K Futurism
Y2K refers to metallic streamers, disco balls and neon lights juxtaposed with throwback references like VHS tapes, cassette players, and old-school video game consoles.
Concept: The Y2K trend matures with a softened, tech-inspired aesthetic, expanding bubble gum patterns into logos and graphics for broader appeal
Design direction: Use clean, fluid shapes and a gamified aesthetic to stylise icons, ensuring legibility for branded familiarity with Tone On Tone and neutral colour schemes
Ones to watch: Typography designer hunter offers Y2K-style fonts for commercial use, while graphic designer Dehbix experiments with fluid, bubbly typography
Ghostly Illusion
Concept: The era of global crises inspires explorations into darker, surreal aesthetics that offer escapism, driven by advancements in AI generative technologies
Design direction: Employ foggy effects and shadow play to update Abstract Camo and texture prints, offering a soft aesthetic suitable for formal and casual wear across various categories
Colour: Revitalise neutrals and dusty hues to create illusions, appealing broadly to mass audiences
Digital fabric printing and sustainability
Tying in with the sustainability trends of Autumn/Winter 24/25, there is a major shift in print production processes towards environmentally friendly and sustainable methods.
Digital fabric printing offers several advantages:
- Eco-friendliness: Uses environmentally friendly dyes and reduces water consumption compared to traditional techniques
- Precision: Applies ink directly onto the fabric with precise control over colour intensity and design complexity
- Flexibility: Enables smaller print runs and a variety of designs
- Sustainability: Reduces setup costs and offers quick response times
- Cost-effectiveness: Digital fabric printing eliminates the need for expensive screens and film, making it a more affordable option
- High-quality prints: Digital fabric printing produces vibrant, high-resolution prints that are resistant to fading and cracking
- Reduced waste: With digital printing, there’s minimal waste compared to traditional methods, as only the exact amount of ink needed is used.
- Customisation: Digital printing allows for easy customisation of designs, making it perfect for small-scale production and personalised items
- Versatility: Digital fabric printing can be used on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends
The Digital Fabric Solutions difference
At Digital Fabric Solutions, we emphasise eco-printing solutions through our digital fabric printing processes.
Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our use of environmentally friendly dyes and chemicals from reputable multinationals, as well as our effluent treatment plant that purifies water before discharge.
We offer a range of fabrications that align with current global trends. Our selection includes a variety of cotton and polyester fabric bases. Our key strength lies in our ability to engineer vibrant colours unmatched in the market.
Printed direct-to-fabric labels
Aarik in Africa, a new division of Startex, specialises in printed direct-to-fabric labels in plain colours and reflective options.
Our heat transfer labels are perfect for branding and offer opportunities for creativity in finer details, helping your brand stand out from competitors.
Fully integrated production value chain
Startex provides a fully integrated production value-chain, housed under one roof. This includes:
- Fabric wholesale store (PFP) stocking plain white fabric bases
- Digital fabric printing plant
- Elastic and label factory
- Pattern development and design studio
- Quality control lab
- Garment CMT factory (3 000 units +)
- Finishing packing and distribution
Visit our showroom in Durban or Cape Town to take a closer look at our fabric bases. Or we can courier a sample pack to your doorstep.
