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Digital Pigment Printing – What is it?
Simply described, it is the process of digitally printing on clothes using inkjet printers and specially developed digital textile inks. These inks are known by a variety of names, including digital pigment inks, inkjet textile pigment inks, digital DTF printing inks, and so on, although they are most generally referred to as Digital Textile Pigment inks (or Textile Pigment inks). For the purposes of this article, we will refer to them as Textile Pigment Inks.
Types of Textile Printing Methods
The Suitable Fabric for DTF Printing
Printing on fabrics with pigments has always had an advantage over reactive dye fabric printing. Traditional Pigment Printing and Digital Pigment Printing are the two main categories here. Conventional Pigment printing is one of the most popular fabric printing technologies in the world. The most prevalent application of this is the use of screens, particularly rotary screens, to print pigment inks on fabrics. This procedure, however, has a number of drawbacks.
It is only cost effective for large-scale mass production.
It necessitates a huge setup.
The manufactured cloth has a rough hand-feel.
The richness of the colors in the design cannot be accurately recreated on the cloth.
The rub-fastness of fabrics printed with ordinary pigments is low.
These disadvantages have cleared the way for the digitization of the traditional pigment printing technology. This is known as Digital Pigment Printing.
How does DTF Prinitng Overcome the Drawbacks of the Conventional Counterpart?
La Digital DTF printing technology tackles all of the key problems, such as design constraints, waste creation, and the requirement for huge setups. This enables a more cost-effective, sustainable, and diverse method of printing fabrics while significantly reducing waste generated.
Because the procedure requires the use of DTF printers and specially designed inkjet inks, a huge setup is not required. In the case of digital DTF printing, for example, the usage of separate roller screens for distinct colors is no longer required. Also, because the setups for the former are larger, printing shorter fabric lengths is not possible. This imposes a’minimum limit’ on the length of printable cloth. In the case of Digital Pigment Printing, the necessity for a minimum restriction is abolished, allowing for maximum flexibility and minimal waste at a very high cost-effectiveness.
Inkjet technology also allows for exact and definite control over ink droplet firing, which is precisely adjusted utilizing the printer’s internal electronics. This, combined with the ability to use highly chromatic pigments in the inks, results in significantly more vibrancy and color accuracy than the conventional pigment printing technique.
What are The Advantages of DTF Printing?
Colors that are vibrant and accurate
Color accuracy and vibrancy are superbly captured. This allows for sharp, vivid, and intricate designs to be displayed perfectly on the fabrics.
Design versatility
Because of the use of inkjet technology and digital printers, any pattern that can be created on a computer can be printed on fabric. The ability to incorporate anything in the design allows for the opportunity to explore, with numerous complicated designs giving a significant advantage.
Excellent rub and washability
The fixation properties of textile pigment inks cause the ink binders to polymerize and adhere securely to fabric yarn. This vastly enhances the rub and wash properties.
Hand Feeling
The fabric is soft, and the print appears to be a part of the cloth itself. This is preferable to the harsh feel of conventional pigment printing on fabric.
Cost-effectiveness
When compared to traditional printing, the initial setup cost is quite inexpensive. Anyone with a basic understanding of design, a textile printer or one that can be converted to use textile pigment inks, a heat press machine, and a basic sewing/stitching station may begin printing high-quality fabrics for a premium consumer segment using digital pigment printing.
Profits are relatively larger because setup and operating costs are cheap. If a micro-factory model is desired, digital pigment printing is one of the best technologies to use.
Sustainability
It is an environmentally favorable technique because to its lightweight setup, minimal waste, and reduced water quantity in post-processing.
The ability to create vibrant designs, diversity, great wash and rub properties, and the enormous cost savings have led to an increase in the use of digital pigment printing in a variety of industries. Some of them are as follows:
Fashion Home Textiles Upholstery Outdoor Fabrics Bed-Linen Curtains and Window Treatments -fashion
Advancements in Pigment Printing Technology
Textile pigment inks have been present for a few decades, but technology has advanced dramatically in recent years. The invention of water-based inks is one of the most significant advances in textile pigment inks. These inks are formed of pigments floating in a liquid and are printed onto fabric with an inkjet printer.
These inks are more environmentally friendly than typical oil-based inks and they emit less odor. They also generate less waste, which is vital for textile printers.
The introduction of digital DTF printing is another significant achievement in textile pigment inks. This technology enables the use of more colors, more detailed drawings, and faster printing speeds. This has expanded the possibilities for textile printing and reduced the cost of small-scale and custom printing.
As technology progresses and new possibilities are explored, the future of textile pigment inks is bright. The use of natural dyes and pigments, which are more sustainable and environmentally beneficial, is one area of expansion. Another area of research is the use of smart inks, which can change color or respond to stimuli like as heat or light.
