Printed fabrics are made with the process of textile printing. This process involves applying color to a fabric, often in definite patterns and designs. The colour remains bonded to the fabric, and the resulting textile is sturdy enough to resist friction, washing, and stains. To learn more about the process of printing fabrics, read on! This article contains tips and tricks for producing printed fabric. This article will give you tips for printing on cellulose fibers.
Printing on cellulose fibers
The process of printing on cellulose fibers can be done in various ways. Among them is pad dyeing, in which the fabric is soaked in a dye solution and passed through a roller. The dye solution is uniformly rolled into the fabric before being steamed or hot-melted. Various processes are involved in pad dyeing, including the use of different types of dyes. Reactive red dye composition is particularly suitable for printing on cellulose fibers. This dye is mixed with urea or dye-resistant salts.
To create cellulose fibers, trees and algae are used. They are obtained from various plants, which are then processed into pulp and extruded. The most common manufactured cellulose fiber is rayon, which is made from wood pulp. Natural fibers, on the other hand, consist of cellulose microfibrils and a matrix of hemicellulose or lignin. They are strong and have hydrogen bonds between long chains of molecules.
Printing methods
There are two basic printing methods for printed fabric. The first is called direct to garment printing, and it involves applying the colours or patterns to the base directly. Before printing, the final product is sewn together, and the components are ready to use. This type of printing is best suited for textiles, such as scarves and shirts, where colourfastness is paramount. The second method, called rotary screen printing, uses a screen to apply pigments to the fabric.
Pigment printing is the oldest of these printing methods and is suitable for natural fabrics such as cotton and wool. It is also effective for synthetic materials like polyester. It is relatively inexpensive and is widely used for decorative bed linens. Unlike screen printing, pigment printing is also a better option as water pollution is minimized. Regardless of the method, however, it is essential to understand the basic process of fabric printing. The following article will discuss the difference between these two techniques.
Cost
There are many factors to consider when calculating the cost of printed fabric. Digital printing is easy to invest in and allows for high-volume production. Nevertheless, it is essential to calculate the operating costs involved in this process. This is important because once you purchase a machine, you cannot go back. Hence, you should determine your ROI based on print runs, demand, electricity costs, ink cost, operator costs, and maintenance and installation costs. Other factors to consider include importing and purchasing costs, fabric selling cost, water consumption, and loan interest.
While conventional printing requires several operators, digital printing is automated and requires just one or two operators. It also allows the printing company to take on more printing jobs. Therefore, the cost of printed fabric will be lower when compared to traditional printing. Further, digital textile printing saves ink costs as it is not necessary to use as much ink as conventional printing processes. In addition, the digital textile printing process reduces the need for additional labor.
Strike-off
If you’re thinking about ordering striking-off printed fabric, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Strike-off printing is not as standardized as screen printing, so it’s essential to check the details of your design before finalising your order. Check for colour saturation and handfeel, and make sure the print quality matches your vision. If you’re looking for an unusual pattern, consider having the fabric customised, so that it is customised to your taste.
When sourcing for custom printed fabric, a strike-off is an excellent option. The term refers to a sample that has been printed according to the customer’s specifications before a full order is made. If you’re looking for a particular colour combination, striking-off samples are an ideal way to check the quality and suitability of your design before making a large order. A sample will help you see the final product and make any necessary changes based on your specifications.
Testing for colorfastness
If you’re designing a new piece of clothing for an upcoming season, consider testing the colorfastness of the printed fabric. These tests will determine the resistance of the material to fading and stains, and can help you determine whether the fabric will meet your needs. For example, AATCC 107 and ISO 105 E04 tests are both suitable for clothing, although the AATCC 15 requires a slightly higher temperature to produce the desired results.
Another way to test the colorfastness of a printed fabric is by rubbing the sample against two different fabrics. This is known as a crock test. The process is simplified to ensure that all dye transfers are not lost. The crock test consists of rubbing a white cotton fabric on a plastisol-coated polyester fabric. While a large percentage of the dye transfers to the cotton, further testing is necessary to ensure the fabric will not transfer color through the plastisol.
