Impressions Expo Dallas 2026: DTF Exhibitors, Dates, Tickets

Impressions Expo Dallas runs Wednesday, October 21 through Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, and it is the largest decorated apparel show in the South. For Texas and neighboring-state DTF shops that could not get to PRINTING United in Las Vegas, this is the nearest place to see production DTF printers, automatic transfer presses, and gang sheet software in person. Show-floor tickets are $75 through October 1 and rise to $99 from October 2.

Impressions Expo is run by Emerald, the company that publishes Impressions magazine. The organizer says 90% of attendees come from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, which makes it a regional buying show rather than a national launch event. Expect working demos of equipment that launched earlier in the year, plus show pricing, more than new product reveals.

Dates, hours, and venue

The show moved to Wednesday through Friday this year. One organizer sales page also refers to a move to Dallas Market Center, but the show's homepage, schedule, and FAQ all list the Hilton Anatole, so confirm the venue on your registration before booking a hotel.

Ticket prices

All ticket sales are final and non-refundable, although a company can substitute one person for another. Cameras and video equipment are not allowed on the show floor or in classrooms, which matters if you planned to film demos for your own reference.

DTF exhibitors worth a stop

Impressions magazine's September 16 exhibitor roundup named these companies with DTF-relevant equipment or services:

• M&R Printing Equipment (booth 681) is returning after a multi-year break with its QUATRO industrial DTF printer and the ORBITER automatic DTF loading, pressing, and peeling system. The ORBITER won the direct-to-film category at the 2026 Pinnacle Awards. Our M&R QUATRO breakdown covers both printer models.
• Brown Manufacturing Group (booth 604) makes automated DTF lines and partnered with DuPont on the powderless, jettable-adhesive DTF workflow shown in Las Vegas.
• ColDesi (booth 805) is showing embroidery, DTF, DTG, and UV printers. Its DTF 24 Series printers are the obvious thing to ask about.
• SPSI (booth 777) is doubling its booth size and showing embroidery, DTF, screen printing, and digital equipment, plus financing and consulting.
• Drip Apps / Build a Gang Sheet (booth 843) makes gang sheet builder software for transfer sellers.
• GlobalDTF.com (booth 757) is also on the list.

The full exhibitor list and floor plan are on the show website. Blank suppliers such as Via Blankwear, Basico Branco, and Mockneck & Co. are also exhibiting, which helps if you are sourcing blanks for DTF at the same time.

Conference tracks for heat transfer shops

The education program is organized with Fort Worth-based MADE Laboratory. The sessions most relevant to DTF are STAHLS' PRO Day tracks:

• PRO Day Track 1, Heat Printing Empowered. It compares DTF, HTV, and plastisol transfers and where each one fits. For a written version, see our HTV vs sublimation vs DTF comparison.
• PRO Day Track 2, From Prompt to Print. Covers AI tools for decorators, including image generation, upscaling, and design assistance.
• PRO Day Track 3, The Power of Perceived Value and Profit. Pricing, which pairs with our DTF pricing strategy guide.

The conference also runs camps in embroidery, heat transfer, special effects, water-based inks, go-to-market, business operations, Screen Printing 101, Embroidery 101, and Automation 101. MANIFEST, a one-day business conference curated by MADE Lab, runs October 21 at the Texas Theatre in the Bishop Arts District, with photographer Nigel Barker and artist Matt Cliff among the featured speakers.

How to get the most out of the show floor

• Bring your numbers. Know your weekly shirt count, average transfer size, and current cost per transfer before you talk to a printer rep. Our buy a printer or order transfers guide shows how to get those numbers.
• Ask for a sample print on your file. Bring a design with fine text and a gradient on a USB drive, and ask for a pressed sample on a dark garment.
• Ask the questions spec sheets skip. Ask about daily maintenance time, white ink handling, the warranty on printheads (usually shorter than on the machine), and whether a powder shaker and dryer are included.
• Price out automation separately. A rotary press like the ORBITER or the Hotronix Carousel only pays off if pressing labor is your actual bottleneck.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is Impressions Expo Dallas 2026?

Impressions Expo Dallas runs October 21 to 23, 2026. The show's homepage and schedule list the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. The exhibit hall is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

How much does Impressions Expo Dallas cost?

A show-floor-only pass is $75 through October 1, 2026, and $99 from October 2 through the show. The full conference package is $360 through October 1 and $412 after that. All sales are final.

Which DTF companies are exhibiting at Impressions Expo Dallas 2026?

Impressions magazine named M&R (QUATRO DTF printer and ORBITER automatic press), Brown Manufacturing Group, ColDesi, SPSI, Build a Gang Sheet, and GlobalDTF.com among this year's exhibitors. The full list is on the show website.

Can kids attend Impressions Expo Dallas?

No. The show does not allow anyone under 16 on the expo floor, in workshops, or in conference seminars, and it requires proof of age. Strollers and rolling carts larger than airline carry-on size are also not allowed on the floor.

Where it fits in the DTF Database

If you went to PRINTING United, our PRINTING United 2026 DTF preview covers the equipment launched there, much of which will be on the floor in Dallas. Before the show, compare machines in the DTF printer directory. If you plan to keep ordering transfers, the supplier directory lists Texas DTF suppliers, including DTF Dallas.