Introduction to Printing
Definition:
Textile Printing refers to the localized application of dyes or pigments and chemicals by any
method which can produce particular effect of color on the fabric according to the design. It is
done on the right side of the fabric with the wrong side being unprinted or much lighter than the
right side.
Dyeing vs Printing:
Dyeing Printing
There is no localized application. Localized application of dyes or pigments
according to design.
Color: In form of solution. Color: In form of thick paste.
Fabric, yarn & fibres are dyed. Fabric is only printed.
Steaming is not required. Steaming is used for fixation.
Much amount of water is used. Less amount of water is used.
More time is required. Less time is required.
Only mono color application. Both mono & multi-color application.
Dyeing machineries are comparatively simple. Printing machineries are comparatively complex.
Fabric is handled in open width or rope form. Fabric is handled in only open width.
Salt is required. Salt is not used.
Color is applied uniformly on both faces. Printed face is darker & other face is paler.
Processed fabric may be wet or dry. Processed fabric must be dry.
Printing Flow-chart:
Preparation of
Grey Textile Pretreatment
printing paste
Drying / Curing
Finishing Printing
/ Steaming
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Grey textile: Inspection of grey fabric, then stitching.
Pretreatment: It includes brushing, shearing, singeing, desizing, scouring, bleaching,
mercerizing, washing, stentering etc.
Preparation of printing paste: Depending on the class of dyestaff & printing style, suitable
ingredients are used.
Printing: Printing with a suitable method as screen printing, transfer printing etc.
Drying / Curing / Steaming: Drying in a dryer then steaming to transfer dye into fibre, 100-
102o C, 15 min in a steamer.
After treatment: Finishing, calendering, inspection, folding/rolling, packing.
Printing Ingredients:
Dyes/Pigments:
To achieve color effect on the fabric.
To produce required shade.
Selected on the basis of cost, fastness & shade requirement.
Example: Vat, Azoic, Reactive, direct etc.
Wetting Agents:
To wet the fabric as well as dyestuff.
To reduce surface tension of water allowing dyestuff for easy penetration into fibre.
To obtain smooth paste.
To dissolve the dyestuff in the paste.
Example: Olive oil, T.R oil, caster oil.
Solvents/Dispersing Agents:
To get bright design by assisting dye penetration & fixation.
To spread dye moles evenly in the paste.
To prevent aggregation of dye molecules in the highly concentrated of the dye.
To prevent precipitation.
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To increase solubility of the dyes.
To make proper printing shade.
Example: Urea, Glycerine, desirable, Alcohol, Acetone, Diethylene glycol.
Thickener:
To give required viscosity to the printing paste.
To prevent premature reactions betn the chemicals contained in the print paste.
To hold the ingredients of the print paste on the fabric .
Example: Na-alginate, fine gum, british gum, CMC.
Defoaming Agents:
To prevent the foam generation during printing.
Example: Silicone, defoamers, sulphated oil, perminol KB, Emulsified pine oil.
Oxidizing Agent:
To develop the final color during steaming or in the subsequent after treatment.
To assist to dye fixation.
Example: Sodium chlorate, Potasium chlorate, Sodium nitrate, Resist Salt
Ammonium chloride, Ludigol, Na or K dichromate.
Reducing Agent.
Used for reduction of different dyes.
Used for mainly in discharge printing.
To destroy color from the ground of fabric.
To make the insoluble dyes to soluble
Example: Sodium hydrosulphite, Stanus chloride etc. Rongolite-C.
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Catalyst & Oxygen Carrier:
To prevent fibre damage during steaming.
Accelerate the final color development by oxidation.
Reduce the risk of oxidization.
Copper sulphide, Amimonium vanadate, Potassium ferrocyanide.
Acids/Alkalis:
To maintain PH.
To develop the color of printed fabric.
To fix dye on the fabric permanently.
Example: Organic acid, Alkali KOH, NaOH, Na2CO3, pottasium carbonate,
sodium bicarbonate/acetate.
Swelling Agent:
To create big size holes of the fibres.
Helps to swell the fibre structure.
To reduce crystallinity.
Help the easy penetration of dye molecule inside the fibre polymer.
Example: Polyethylene flycol, Phenols, DEGDA (di-ethylene glycol diacetate).
Miscellaneous Agent:
Urea: Assist fixation of dyes.
Hygroscopic agent: Absorb moisture from air.
Glycerin: Facilitates subsequent washing off.
Mild oxidizing agent: To secure the partial destroy of color during steaming.
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