The countdown is officially on! Impressions Expo Dallas 2026 is just around the corner, bringing the decorated-apparel industry together Oct. 21-23 for three days of new technology, fresh apparel trends, hands-on education and opportunities to connect with the people shaping the business.
And this year’s event isn’t simply business as usual.
With 128 exhibitors filling a 25,300-square-foot show floor, a new venue, a Wednesday-through-Friday schedule and an expanded professional education program, the 2026 Dallas Expo is introducing several changes designed to make the experience even more valuable for apparel decorators.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade equipment, discover new blank apparel, improve production efficiency or simply reconnect with industry colleagues, here’s what to expect when the doors open next week.
A New Venue and Schedule for Impressions Expo Dallas
First things first: Make sure you’re headed to the right place!
This year’s Expo moves to the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, with a new Wednesday-through-Friday schedule replacing the show’s previous weekend-oriented format.
The change is designed to make travel more convenient for business owners and industry professionals while reducing the need to spend valuable weekend hours away from their shops.
Another advantage is the show’s overlap with the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market, creating additional opportunities for connections between apparel decorators, suppliers, retailers and boutique buyers.
For exhibitors, that means potential exposure to new customers and markets. For attendees, it provides another opportunity to explore how blank apparel, fashion trends and customization are increasingly intersecting.
128 Decorated Apparel Exhibitors Across 25,300 Square Feet
Of course, the heart of any Impressions Expo is the show floor, and Dallas is shaping up to deliver plenty of reasons to explore every aisle.
This year’s Expo will feature 128 exhibitors across 25,300 square feet of show-floor space, representing everything from blank apparel and headwear to screen printing, embroidery, direct-to-film (DTF), direct-to-garment (DTG), heat transfers, digital decoration and production technology.
Among the major apparel suppliers scheduled to exhibit are BELLA+CANVAS, SanMar, Lane Seven, US Standard Apparel and Smart Blanks. Attendees can explore new fabrics, fashion-forward colors, retail-inspired silhouettes and garment styles designed with decoration in mind.
On the equipment side, familiar industry names including STAHLS’, Hirsch Solutions, M&R, SPSI and ColDesi will be on hand, offering opportunities to compare technologies and discuss production needs directly with manufacturers and suppliers.
ColDesi and M&R also join the show’s lineup of new sponsors, alongside Basico Branco, adding to the industry support behind this year’s event.
Transfer specialists such as Ninja Transfers and Pro Transfers will also be part of the action, alongside Reece, PDS Equipment, All American Print Supply and numerous other industry suppliers.
For decorators evaluating new investments, there’s no substitute for seeing equipment firsthand, asking questions and comparing solutions in person.
For a closer look at the companies heading to Dallas, check out our guide to the biggest names exhibiting at Impressions Expo Dallas 2026.
New and Returning Exhibitors Bring Fresh Energy
One of the most encouraging developments surrounding this year’s show is the number of companies making their Dallas debut, returning after an absence or expanding their presence.
More than 30 exhibitors fall into those categories, adding fresh energy and a wider range of products and services to the show floor.
M&R is among the notable returning companies, with plans to demonstrate its Quatro industrial DTF printer and Orbiter automatic DTF loading, transferring and peeling system. The company also plans to showcase equipment from its Stinger Series of screen-printing presses.
ColDesi will return with a portfolio spanning embroidery, DTF, DTG and UV printing, while companies including Brown Manufacturing Group, Axiom America/Arcus Printers, GlobalDTF.com, Advanced Inkjet Technology and Drip Apps/Build a Gang Sheet will add to the range of equipment, technology and services on display.
The growing exhibitor roster also extends into apparel, headwear, patches, bags and promotional products, giving attendees additional ways to explore new revenue opportunities.
Read more about the new and returning exhibitors at Impressions Expo Dallas.
Expanded Education Offers Something for Every Decorator
The show floor may be the main attraction, but this year’s professional education program is another major reason to make the trip.
Impressions Expo has partnered with Fort Worth-based MADE Laboratory to deliver a revamped conference series organized around subject-specific educational “camps.”
The approach is designed to help attendees focus on the production techniques, business strategies and operational challenges most relevant to their shops.
Topics range from machine embroidery and specialty screen-printing effects to heat transfers, workflow automation, artificial intelligence, pricing, sales and customer retention.
The lineup includes Stitch Camp for embroidery, FX Camp for specialty printing techniques, WB Camp for water-based printing, HT Camp for heat-transfer production, Operations Camp for business management and G2 Camp for sales and growth strategies.
Additional shorter sessions, offered under the Beyond the Tracks program, will address subjects including marketing, automation, sublimation, laser engraving and scaling production.
Whether you’re a newcomer learning the fundamentals or an established decorator looking to refine operations, the expanded program is intended to provide practical information you can take back to your business.
Learn more about the 2026 Impressions Expo Dallas education camps.
MADE Laboratory’s Manifest Conference Adds Another Dimension
The educational opportunities don’t stop at the Hilton Anatole.
MADE Laboratory’s inaugural Manifest conference, scheduled for Oct. 21-22 at the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District, will bring together apparel business owners, operators, distributors and suppliers for discussions focused on leadership, business performance and long-term growth.
The conference will feature fashion industry personality and photographer Nigel Barker, known for his work on America’s Next Top Model, along with economist Alex Chausovsky and other industry voices.
While the Impressions Expo education camps focus heavily on production techniques and day-to-day shop operations, Manifest is designed to explore broader business challenges, industry relationships and strategies for future growth.
Together, the programs offer attendees opportunities to learn about both the technical and business sides of apparel decoration during one trip to Dallas.
Live Demonstrations, Networking and More
Beyond equipment displays and classroom sessions, attendees can expect the familiar energy that makes Impressions Expo a gathering place for the decorated-apparel community.
Live equipment demonstrations provide opportunities to see production technology in action, while conversations with exhibitors and fellow decorators can offer fresh perspectives on everything from workflow challenges to new product ideas.
The show also plans to feature its live T-shirt screen-printing station, where attendees can see decoration in action and pick up a custom Expo shirt.
Networking opportunities, including a first-day happy hour, will give attendees additional chances to reconnect with colleagues, meet new suppliers and exchange ideas.
Sometimes, the most valuable takeaway from a trade show isn’t a piece of equipment or a new product. It’s a conversation that leads to a better way of doing business.
Plan Ahead With the Impressions Expo Mobile App
With so much happening over three days, a little preparation can make a big difference.
The official Impressions Expo mobile app helps attendees explore the exhibitor lineup, discover products and show specials, review educational sessions and navigate the event.
The app also includes networking features that allow users to connect with exhibitors and fellow attendees, request meetings, send messages and receive real-time show updates.
To get started, search for “Impressions Expo” in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or access the app through the official show website.
Attendees can log in using the email address associated with their registration. First-time users will need their Badge/Registration ID to claim their accounts and create a password.
For additional details, visit our guide to the Impressions Expo Dallas 2026 mobile app.
Ready for Dallas? There’s Still Time to Make Your Plans
With 128 exhibitors, 25,300 square feet of show-floor space, a new venue, an expanded education program and plenty of opportunities to explore the latest decorating technologies, Impressions Expo Dallas 2026 is shaping up to be a valuable gathering for apparel decorators of all sizes.
For shops looking to invest in equipment, the event offers opportunities to compare solutions firsthand. For decorators searching for new apparel styles, techniques or business ideas, the show floor and educational sessions provide plenty of inspiration.
And for anyone who simply wants to reconnect with the industry, Dallas offers three days surrounded by people who share a passion for custom apparel.
Impressions Expo Dallas 2026 takes place Oct. 21-23 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.
For registration and additional event information, visit the official Impressions Expo Dallas website.
For ongoing show coverage, exhibitor announcements, educational previews and other updates, visit the Impressions Expo Dallas 2026 resource page.
See you in Dallas!
