The VinylXpress Industry Blog

Forget printing on paper, printing on textiles is now easier than ever. Engineering, interior design, the military, fashion as well and many other fields of industry are utilizing wide format printers in their everyday activities. But there are many different kinds of textiles; therefore, the right ink is essential.

Disperse Dyes, Acid Dye Inks and Pigmented Textile Inks

Nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester… These are the kinds of textiles on which you would use disperse dyes; named such due to their need for a dispersing agent in order for them to become spreadable. This ink also requires high temperature working conditions. Mohair, wool or silk requires acid dye inks. Citric acid or acetic acid is the base for this ink. Caution is strongly advised during its usage due to its toxicity. Cotton fabrics are where pigmented textile inks come in. Though they are inferior to dye inks when it comes to good color rendering, they are known for their extreme durability. The ink may outlive the T-shirt! Some of the newest, freshest pigmented textile inks are almost ready to give dye inks a run for their money though; the color renderings are improving that vastly and quickly.

UV Curable Textile Inks, Reactive Dye Inks and Dye Sublimation Inks

Ultraviolet light is necessary to dry or cure UV inks which can be used on any number of fabrics. The colors are brought out by the use of ultraviolet light without bringing out anything harmful (volatile compounds). Linen, cotton and other plant based, cellulose fabrics best employ reactive dye inks. The release of colors in the dye is triggered by heat; which also assists in the dye adhering to the fabric. And finally, fabrics and numerous other printing media can be printed upon with dye sublimation inks.

These inks bind with the textiles fibers thereby creating a high level of durability and fine quality.

In this day and age many more textile printers are using wide format printers than just a few years ago because they are able to offer quick turnaround for customers who need textile prints, banners, advertisements or outdoor signage. Many consumers are choosing textile printing over other traditional forms of printing because people perceive items that are printed on natural fabrics as having more value than items that are printed on paper or other traditional mediums.

Different Forms Of Textile Printing

When many people think of textile printing the image comes to mind of one process where single images are printed on fabrics when there is more than one textile printing technique where wide format printers are used that printing professionals can offer their customers.

Dye Sublimation Transfer Printing – With this form of printing dye is transformed into gas instead of staying a liquid. The image is first printed in reverse on a sheet of carrier paper then the image that is on the paper is transferred to fabric with a roll on heat process. The heat will allow the help the ink that is on the carrier paper to fuse with the fabrics fibers.

Direct Dye Sublimation Printing – In this process transfer paper is not used and the ink gas is created during the sublimation process then it’s pressed on the fabric in a manner that encourage it to bind or solidify with the fabrics fibers. The advantage of this printing method is that it doesn’t take a lot of time to produce printouts since transfer paper isn’t being used in this process.

Best For Use In Business Marketing

Many businesses are choosing textile printing to promote their businesses over any other form of printing because they are able to easily and affordably print images and logos on t-shirts, canvas banners, tote bags, hats and other fabric products.