Printing on Vinyl, Glass, Wood via digital Inkjet printer could be significantly easier as compared to textile printing which is somewhat more complex but by understanding some basics regarding the chemistry, process and equipment, inkjet textile printing is achievable with fantastic printing results and certainly will provide a profitable business opportunity.
To start with, this blog will provides you with the basic understanding about fabric printing and will certainly assist you to learn more about purchasing a good digital fabric printer.
Fiber Types and Textile Chemistry
The Very First Fundamental section of fabric printing would be always to comprehend the chemistry in the procedure. To start, there’s not any ink that’ll satisfactorily print to all of types of fabric with an easy, 1 step procedure. People ought to comprehend as to which ink works best with which type of fabric.
Currently, the following inks are available for fabric printing:
- Reactive Inks
- Acid Inks
- Disperse Inks
- Pigment Inks
Understand that each ink will properly bond to some specific fiber type in a perfect way. For cotton, it is recommended to use either reactive or pigment ink whereas for silk and nylon, acid ink is used and disperse dyes (used in dye sublimation printing process) are earmarked for hydration.
Dye Sublimation printer uses process in which the ink is turned into gas using heat, which passes through the fibre and solidifies itself. Whereas in direct to garment, the ink is printed and absorbed on the fabric.
Each of those dyes necessitates the cloth to really have a special inkjet-receptive coating to regulate dot gain and really helps to ensure appropriate fixation. Many fabrics could be bought with the coat applied. Additionally, you will find pick resources that’ll put on the coat (as an agency ) to a cloth which you provide. Last but not least, for fast production scenarios, purchasing your coating machine might be the very ideal option.
Textile Printing Machine
As the fiber kind of one’s preferred fabric will determine the ink choice, the fabric structure will determine the suitable printer.  However, in majority of the circumstances, it could be either knit or woven. The majority of that time period, woven and non-woven cloths can be printed with an even basic textile printer that has proper fabric tensioning, but nonetheless uses conventional pinch-rollers to progress the fabric throughout the printer.
Knit fabrics tend to be somewhat more challenging to take care of. They are normally pliable and also the selvage might float. For all these cloths, it’s ideal to utilize a fabric printer armed with a “tacky belt” or “print blanket” as fabric unwinds, it’s pressed flat against the buckle and also can follow the buckle because it’s fed through the printer.  Fabric and banner ad printers armed with this kind of belt are somewhat more costly. But, it’s the only practical way of printing difficult knit fabrics in addition to other fabrics.
The Process and Finishing Equipment
There has to be a specific process to be followed for each ink to achieve proper color and fixation (i.e. permanence on the fabric). Nylon, for example, includes a much more Intricate procedure outlined as following:
- Coat fabric with specific coating to receive acid dye (Or buy fabric already coated)
- Print cloth using the most effective digital textile printer
- For Ink fixation, steam the fabric in fabric steamer
- Wash cloth in a washing machine to eliminate pre-coat along with excess/un-fixed ink
On the other hand polyester procedures are more straightforward. Nevertheless, every fabric usually needs specific printer that’s needed for the most useful outcomes.
Putting it All Together
Thus, what exactly does this mean for you personally? The foremost important thing is to determine that the ink, printer and procedure utilized. Additionally, it means you’ll need to re-evaluate your fabric range. Many applications, fashion clothes as an instance, can use cloths using different fiber types including polyester or cotton. We might have a battle of inks and procedures. Unless you’ve got a big budget, then it’s probable advisable that you must select 1 fabric/fiber type to get started.
Talk to a professional, as outlined, you can find lots of cloths, inks, printers and procedures. A specialist will direct you during your alternatives while providing all of the advantages and disadvantages for each and every combination. Be certain that you convey your intended print application, ideal manufacturing throughput along with your financial plan. This information is paramount for you getting the very best information. In a few instances, it might possibly cause a creative cloth print alternative which you did not understand about. With the ideal partner, you will become your path to cloth printing industry achievements!
Contact Colorjet when you’ve got any questions regarding textile printing. Colorjet is India’s largest manufacturer of digital fabric printers with a network spread across the globe, offering wide range of textile printers and inks, which will surely suit to your business requirements.
