A platen assembly for use in digital printing includes a substrate support adapted to support the substrate thereon to facilitate printing to the substrate. One or more apertures are associated with the substrate support and the platen assembly includes a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the one or more apertures. A vacuum device is in communication with the vacuum chamber such that vacuum pressure is developed in the vacuum chamber during operation of the vacuum device and a corresponding air flow is developed through the one or more apertures. A method for applying indicia to a textile substrate includes placing the textile substrate on a substrate support surface, and directing air through the textile substrate such that the substrate is drawn against the substrate support surface.