Ink‐jet printing of cotton with natural dyes

Four natural dyes, annatto, cutch, pomegranate fruit rind, and golden dock, were used as colorants for the preparation of water‐based ink‐jet inks for digital textile printing. The physical and rheological properties (pH, conductivity, surface tension, and viscosity) of the inks were measured over a period of 90 days for the evaluation of ink stability and suitability for ink‐jet printing. The inks were found to be suitable and were used for the digital printing of cotton fabrics. The prints were subjected to wash, light, and rub fastness tests and colour measurements. Colour consistency and fastness results, especially after fixation, are comparable with those of synthetic dyes, which paves the way for the production of environmentally friendly ink‐jet inks using natural dyes for the digital printing of cotton through the formulation of suitable printing techniques.     

Digital and conventional printing and dyeing with the natural dye annatto: optimisation and standardisation processes to meet future demands

The plant colorant annatto was investigated to determine its potential use as a natural dye for conventional and novel textile applications. Alum was selected as a mordant. Different techniques of mordanting and a broad set of variations in the dyeing recipes were applied to achieve optimisation and an improvement in colour fastness properties. Quality control of all dyeings was performed using standard fastness tests and colour measurements. Printing of cotton fabrics was also achieved with annatto using the flatbed screen‐printing technique. Measurement of the rheological and physical properties of the annatto printing paste confirmed its stability and suitability for conventional printing. Fastness properties of the conventionally printed annatto fabric were also measured. A novel water‐based digital printing ink using annatto was prepared and applied to cotton fabric using a digital printing application. The physical properties of the annatto ink‐jet ink were also measured. Wash, light and rub fastness properties of the annatto digitally printed fabric were determined and compared with those of conventional printing methods. The results were promising for annatto as a natural colorant, which possibly paves the way for the development of a new range of natural environmentally friendly dyes.     

Properties of ink‐jet printed,ultraviolet‐cured pigment prints in comparison with screen‐printed,thermo‐cured pigment prints

A collection of printed fabrics for men’s shirts was designed and prepared using computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing technology. The colours for designs were ink‐jet printed on cotton fabrics with pigments and ultraviolet‐cured. These prints represented the target colours for subsequent flat‐screen printing, which was performed using pigment printing pastes and thermal curing. For an exact transfer of colours of the ink‐jet‐printed standard into the screen‐printing process, a computer recipe prediction method was used. A comparison of colorimetric parameters of fabrics printed with both printing techniques shows minimal and acceptable differences in the CIELab colour values. A comparison of colour fastness properties proves that very good colour fastness is achieved on the pigment‐printed fabrics produced with both printing techniques. The flat‐screen‐printed fabrics show better colour fastness to washing, perspiration and rubbing, while ink‐jet‐printed fabrics show better colour fastness to dry‐cleaning and light. The fabrics printed with both printing techniques have high rigidity and non‐elastic properties. The mechanical and physical parameters are strongly dependent upon the amount of the dry substance of the printing media applied on the cotton fabric surface, which is higher on screen‐printed fabrics. The ink‐jet‐printed fabrics show better air permeability than flat‐screen‐printed fabrics.     

Ink‐jet printing of nylon fabric using reactive dyestuff

This study discusses ink‐jet printing of nylon fabric with reactive dyestuff. Specifically, this paper investigates the impact of the concentration levels of pretreatment paste on fabric permeability, and examines the influence of various acid agents, hygroscopic agents and different processing conditions on colour yield. Results show that ink‐jet printing displayed excellent wet fastness in repeated wash testing. This study used four reactive dyestuffs, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, all of which achieved both wash fastness and crock fastness of grade 4.     

A custom ink‐jet printing system using a novel pretreatment method

A low‐cost and environmental‐friendly direct dye‐based ink‐jet printing system was developed. A novel ink‐jet pretreatment method was employed, in which the cationic fixing agent, Matexil FC‐ER, was applied as the colourless fixing ink and applied only on image areas of the fabric by ink‐jet printer. It was found that this new pretreatment method could more effectively enhance the colour strength and improve the wash fastness (greyscale ≥ 3) when compared with traditional exhaust application. The cross‐staining of non‐image areas of fabric was also apparently decreased using this new method. The light fastness of ink‐jet pretreated samples was slightly reduced as the presence of Matexil FC‐ER made dyes more sensitive to light.     

The influence of ink viscosity,water and fabric construction on the quality of ink‐jet printed polyester

This paper is concerned with the quality of lines and disperse ink in printing patterns on different untreated polyester fabric constructions. The lines running in the weft and warp directions were printed on polyester fabric constructions, and printing accuracy was assessed. Ink spreading is one of the important factors that influences the ink distribution. Thus, in order to acquire satisfactory ink‐jet printing products, it is essential to control the spreading of ink on the polyester fabric. To meet these conditions, a series of chemicals (disperse dye 5.01 wt%, PVP‐K30 0‐2 wt%, DEG 5‐20 wt%, water 64.17‐79.17 wt%, etc) with different mass fractions was used to prepare disperse ink. The jetting behaviour of ink was related to its surface tension and viscosity, which was characterised by an automatic surface tensiometer and rotational viscometer. Line profile was used to evaluate the printing effect. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance and three‐dimensional super depth digital microscopy were used to reveal the relationships between the state of water, ink diffusion behaviour and printing sharpness. The results showed that increasing ink viscosity or decreasing free water content is advantageous to improve the sharpness of the printing pattern. The effects of fabric structural parameters on line image quality are discussed. The printing quality was closely related to the weight and structure of fabric. The heavy weight fabrics had accurate print pattern sharpness. The fastness test results showed that the ink printing pattern had good colour fastness.     

Single‐phase ink‐jet printing onto cotton fabric

The current commercial application of ink‐jet reactive inks to cotton fabrics requires pretreating with pad liquor containing a thickener, urea and alkali prior to printing. In this study, attempts have been made to develop a reactive ink‐jet print in a single‐phase process by adding an organic salt to the ink formulation and hence removing the need to pretreat fabrics. This approach utilises inks containing both a reactive dye, in this case Procion Red H‐E3B, and an organic salt such as sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate or tri‐sodium citrate. The behaviour of a novel reactive ink formulation for ink‐jet printing on to cotton fabric was evaluated at different pH vlaues. The results at optimum pH indicated that printed non‐pretreated fabrics with ink containing organic salts exhibited a higher level of reactive dye fixation than printed pretreated fabric containing no organic salt ink. The yielded prints demonstrate excellent colour fastness to washing and dry/wet crocking properties. The light fastness of the printed fabrics was improved by adding an organic salt to the ink formulation.     

Syntheses of polymeric dispersants for pigmented ink‐jet inks

Drop‐on‐demand ink‐jet inks made from dyes usually show poor light fastness and poor water fastness. Therefore, many researchers have introduced pigments into ink‐jet inks to overcome the defects of dye‐based ink. Pigmented ink needs sophisticated technology which disperses the pigments stably in low viscosity. Thus, adequate dispersants are essential to achieve stable dispersions of pigments for ink‐jet inks. This study describes syntheses of dispersants, properties of formulations and comparisons of performance with an existing ink to assess their suitability for commercial application.     

Disperse ink‐jet inks: properties and application to polyester fibre

Water‐based ink‐jet inks were prepared using press cake samples of two commercially available azo disperse dyes. The suitability of the inks for printing polyester fabric was evaluated via measurement of surface tension, conductivity, viscosity, pH and particle size distribution. Inks prepared by the proposed method fulfill most requirements for an ink‐jet ink depending on the colorant structure, the dispersing agent and the alcohol used. The inks were applied to polyester fabric by both printing and dyeing and the fastness of the ensuing coloured samples was assessed. The fastness properties of the dyed and printed polyester samples were found to be very good to excellent and generally meet accepted customer requirements. Oil‐in‐water microemulsions containing the same colorants were also prepared. Their properties, which are crucial to the suitability for ink‐jet ink, were compared with those of the conventionally prepared inks and were found to be improved, with the exception of conductivity, while surface tension remained within acceptable values.     

Some properties of a thickener for preparing inkjet printing ink for nylon carpet

The properties of a thickener for nylon carpet inkjet printing are presented in this work. A water-based ink was prepared from polyacrylate-based thickener. The physical and chemical properties of the polyacrylate-based thickener used for preparing the inkjet printing ink, as well as its printing effects on carpet, were investigated. Before printing, the properties of the ink, including its surface tension, electrolyte resistance, storage stability, and percentage removal, were investigated. After printing, the efficiency of coloration of printed carpet and the fastness of printed carpet were studied. The results concerning the surface tension and percentage removal of printing ink show that the polyacrylate-based thickener printing ink is suitable for nylon carpet inkjet printing. Meanwhile, its storage stability and electrolyte resistance make it suitable for printing. The efficiency of coloration of printed carpet and the fastness of printed carpet satisfy the requirements of application at appropriate ink concentration and viscosity.     

喷墨打印相纸及打印图像质量的分析

喷墨打印相纸随着数码相机的发展近几年在国内发展迅速。针对目前产品质量没有测量标准的现状,提出喷墨相纸的质量指标主要为4个,即白度、光泽度、油墨吸收性和防水性。给出了相应的测量方法。并指出相纸上油墨点的面积是衡量质量的第一重要指标,其次是点的圆度。另外对图像输出的质量介绍了一种科学的评价方法,即图像的逼真性分析。说明图像的打印墨点直径不应小于方形像素的对角线长,图像才能真实再现。     

UVA and UVC modification of photo polymeric surface and application for flexographic deposition of thin coatings

The object of this research was to perform, characterize, and apply the functional modification of flexographic photo polymeric printing plate surface by UVA and UVC post‐treatments. Photo polymeric printing plates have an important application in functional printing, where new printing inks/coatings and substrate formulations are used and the specific qualitative requirements must be met. The limitations of materials and processes often require expensive reformulations of the functional inks to achieve printability. Results of this research showed that the modification of the photo polymeric printing plate surface at the end of its production process can be used to precisely adjust the printing ink transfer to the printing substrate and thus eliminate the need for changing the ink/coating composition. By applying specific UV post‐treatment, one can create a flexographic coating deposition system of tailored properties adjustable to variable reproduction systems with high quality requirements. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43526.     

Titanium dioxide grafted with silane coupling agents and its use in blue light curing ink

To improve the properties of titanium dioxide particles and realise their firm anchorage in blue light curing film, three modified titanium dioxide particles were prepared by grafting 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. The surface changes of titanium dioxide particles after modification were characterised. The dispersion stability, photo‐polymerisation, rheological and mechanical properties of modified titanium dioxide blue light curing inks were investigated. Results showed that compared with native titanium dioxide, modified titanium dioxide particles were more appropriate for blue light curing ink. The particle sizes of the three modified titanium dioxide particles became smaller, their surfaces exhibited hydrophobicity, and the viscosity of the modified titanium dioxide inks decreased slightly. Of the three modified titanium dioxide particles, 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate‐ and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane‐modified titanium dioxide particles exhibited better dispersion stability in blue light curing ink. In particular, 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate‐modified titanium dioxide blue light curing ink showed the best photo‐polymerisation and mechanical properties, which indicated the participation of the pigment grafted by double bonds in the blue light curable polymerisation. Using modified titanium dioxide in blue light curing ink, the dry/wet rubbing fastness of the printed fabrics improved.     

Synthesis of a di‐(p‐sulphophenoxy)‐s‐triazine reactive dye and its application in wool fabric ink‐jet printing

Reactive dyes based on p‐sulphophenoxy‐s‐triazines were synthesised, characterised and applied to wool fabric by ink‐jet printing. The extent of dye‐fibre covalent bonding (% fixation) was measured on prints produced using different development methods. The most promising method to obtain high dye‐fibre fixation values was to interleave the printed wool with a pre‐wetted cotton fabric and store for 3 h. Steam fixation was also investigated but gave lower fixation values. The degree of dye hydrolysis vs time in the ink formulation was evaluated because ink stability is critical in commercial operation; a reformulated ink based on a phosphate buffer was found to improve ink stability.     

陶瓷喷墨打印技术的现状与展望

2010年全球瓷砖产量由2009年的85.15亿平方米增长为95.12亿平方米,繁荣的景象让人对全球陶瓷行业的发展前景充满期望。瓷砖印刷方法的的重要转变的一个关键因素就是数字技术,主要表现形式就是喷墨印刷,本文主要阐述陶瓷喷墨打印技术的现状和关键技术问题。     

Evaluation of viscosity and printing quality of chitosan‐based flexographic inks: The effect of chitosan molecular weight

Inks composed of renewable resources are important for the environment protection. We report preparation of a new type of edible chitosan‐based flexographic ink. The performance of three inks, containing three different molecular weight (MW) chitosan, was analyzed by the different experimental techniques. The Ink viscosity was investigated from the parameters shear rate, time, temperature, and flexographic printing simulation. The printing quality on coated paper was studied by the scratch resistance, contact angle, print fastness, chromatic aberration, and dot gain. Viscosity recovery rate reached 69% after 6 s, and the print fastness was up to 91%. The experimental ΔE is 0.97, the dot gain is 23%, and contact angle is 69° for the best ink. Experimental results indicate that the developed ink is suitable for the flexographic printing with good application prospects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43997.     

Printability of Methacrylated Gelatin upon Inclusion of a Chloride Salt and Hydroxyapatite Nano‐Particles

3D biomaterial printing requires an ink to have suitable printability characteristics, as well as creating a final construct of controllable swelling and stiffness. To tune such properties, the impact of adding different levels of chloride salts (NaCl and CaCl₂) and hydroxyapatite nano‐particles (nHA) to a highly concentrated and photo‐crosslinkable methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) is investigated. By adding up to 100 mm CaCl₂ or 1.11 m NaCl, the GelMA viscosity decreases from that of control GelMA (no salt). Interestingly, a 25G needle and strong photo‐polymerization kinetics are able to overcome the low viscosity of the 50CaG ink during printing. Adding further CaCl₂ increases GelMA viscosity, while decreasing both the swelling and dynamic modulus of the UV‐cured construct observed in water. As all UV‐cured constructs have a dynamic modulus greater than 1 MPa, this novel system is able to match the dynamic modulus of articular cartilage—a feat not previously reported for a GelMA‐based system. Lastly, nHA inclusion improves ink printability, as well as decreases swelling and increases dynamic modulus of the final construct. Overall, this study leads to the successful development of a new advanced functional ink which will be beneficial in the 3D printing of biomaterials toward tissue engineering applications.     

喷墨打印机颜料型油墨的最新进展

喷墨打印技术是一种非接触式的数字印刷技术,它将数码技术与传统的印刷技术合二为一。用于喷墨印刷的染料型墨水通常表现出差的耐光性和耐水性,因此将颜料引进到喷墨油墨中以克服染料型墨水的缺点是必然趋势。为了在低粘度下保持颜料稳定的分散,性能优异的合成分散剂对于获得稳定的颜料分散体是必不可少的。本文介绍了水性喷墨油墨的组分及各组分作用,对喷墨油墨的生产技术、发展前景进行了展望。     

发展中的数码喷墨用UV固化油墨

应用UV固化油墨于数码喷墨 ,是 1种新兴喷印技术。文章针对数码喷印技术、油墨成分及其油墨的相应要求进行了阐述 ,文中涉及了现有的成型产品 ,并对UV固化油墨的发展趋势进行了展望 ,有助于人们了解这项新技术和新产品     

Jet printing

Ink jet printers, some capable of producing a full colour gamut, are now widely used as output devices for computer-generated design work. Some advances have been made in the application of these ink jet paper printing technologies to textile printing, mainly for carpets. This review describes the principal jet systems that have been developed commercially for both textile and reprographic uses, and indicates areas in which the ink jet principle appears to have future potential. The physical and chemical requirements of the inks used in the different systems, as well as the possible pretreatment of the substrate to improve ink receptivity and the durability of the print, are also discussed.