Pigment printing is one of the most popular methods of digital printing for textiles

Pigment printing is one of the most popular methods of digital printing for textiles. Unlike dye-sub or reactive prints, pigment prints don’t penetrate into the fabric fibers and are instead held on top of it by chemical resin binder. This results in stiffer colors.

The print paste formulation consists of pigments, thickeners, sequestering agents, humectants, defoamers, catalysts, and hand modifiers.

Versatility

Unlike acid dyes that are specific to cotton fiber, disperse inks for polyester or nylon and reactive dyes for silk, pigment printing is capable of dyeing natural as well as synthetic fibre. This makes it a reliable process that can be used to produce enhanced quality products with minimum labour and equipment costs.

Another advantage of digital pigment printing is that it does not require high-temperature steaming and washing like other processes. This creates a significant sustainability benefit and reduces energy consumption. In addition, Durst’s water-based pigment printers feature a complete system of ink recirculation to minimize sedimentation of solid particles and clogged nozzles.

As the demand for customization and eco-friendly clothing continues to increase, digital textile printing is poised to make a massive impact in an established market sector. Its flexibility, efficiency and versatility appeal to a customer base that prioritizes authenticity and sustainability. And as manufacturing demands reshape the industry with ultra-fast delivery times and just-in-time production, pigment printing is the ink technology of choice.

Durability

Pigment printing is a popular textile dyeing technique that offers several benefits. It allows for higher print densities and brighter colors than other printing methods, and the pigments won’t fade over time. Additionally, it’s easy to clean.

The print paste contains pigments, a water-resistant binder, and other additives. It also has a thickener that helps to give the paste its viscosity or flow characteristics. The thickener is added to help the colors adhere to the fabric and to prevent the color from bleeding together.

Pigments are insoluble color particles that require a binding system to be printed onto textile fabrics. These binders can be either natural or synthetic, and they are used to trap the pigment on the fabric surface. The curing process involves applying dry heat to the fabric for a defined amount of time. This ensures that the pigment is fixed to the fiber and cannot wash out. The temperature and cure time vary, and it is important to find a recipe that gives the desired hand properties.

Eco-friendliness

With the growing emphasis on sustainability in manufacturing and business, fabric customers are demanding greener printing options. Digital pigment printing is one of the most eco-friendly options available for textile printing, as it uses less water and energy than other print methods. This reduces the use of harmful chemicals and the need for steaming and washing.

Additionally, Pigment Printing Fabric is non-toxic and has a low carbon footprint. It also reduces the use of kerosene, which is a major source of pollution in the industry. This is especially important because kerosene is a byproduct of oil production and is not readily renewable.

As a result of the increasing popularity of pigment printing, many PSPs are looking for ways to improve their processes and become more eco-friendly. One way to do this is by purchasing Kornit digital printers, which feature inline fixation on the fly that interlaces fixation with the ink dot-for-dot, eliminating the need for pretreatment.

Ease of application

Pigment printing is a textile printing technique that uses pigment inks to apply color to fabric. This type of printing is popular for its ability to produce high-quality graphics on a variety of fabrics. Pigment inks are also less expensive than dye inks. However, pigment-based inks need to be constantly recirculated to reduce the risk of sedimentation of solid color particles that could clog the printheads. Otherwise, production could be halted and money spent on cleaning and reprinting graphics.

When applied to fabric, pigment inks create vibrant prints that are eye-catchy. This printing method is also versatile, allowing it to be used on natural and synthetic fabrics. It can even be used on blended fabrics, such as cotton and polyester.

This printing process is particularly easy and fast, as it doesn’t require pretreatment of the fabric. Companies like Kornit have developed a technology that allows fabric to be printed with pigment inks and softeners in a single step. This eliminates the need for pretreatment, which helps reduce production time and energy costs.