DIGITAL FABRIC PRINTING

WHAT IS DIGITAL FABRIC PRINTING?

DIGITAL FABRIC printing is relatively new technology with tons of applications.

It is described as an inkjet based method of printing colorants onto fabric.

Digital fabric printing can print any design on all kinds of fabric like cotton, silk or poly etc.,

CLASSIFICATION OF PRINTING

Direct printingResist printingDischarge printingFlocking

PRE TREATMENT FOR DIGITAL PRINT

Before going to digital print, all fabric need to be coated with chemicals and prepared for digital printing.

PROCESS OF PRINTINGDuring the printing process, the fabric is fed through the printer using feed roller and ink is applied to surface of fabric in the form of thousand tiny droplets.Fabric is printed by digital printers with the design printed on computer using ink jet based method of printing colorants onto fabric. The fabric is then passed through steam/heat chamber to cure the ink.The steamed fabric required washing and drying.

VARIOUS STAGESTo fix the impression permanently on the fabric, the printing process involves the following stages:

Pre treatment of fabricPreparation of colorsPreparation of printing pasteImpression of paste on fabric using printing methodsDrying of fabric Fixing the printing with steam or hot airAfter process treatments

ADVANTAGESThe image can be printed all over the entitre item with no difficulty in printing all the way to the edges. This technology is capable of converting any graphic print on fabric. There is no limitation on number of colors. It can create both photographic and tonal graphics with multiple shades and color options on fabric. Setup costs are lower for short runs.Variable data capability.

DISADVANTAGES

Backside of fabric is always is white.Sampling and production cost is high Cost and lead time will be high for bigger run.Speed of digital printing is very slow.

LIMITATIONSMetallic colors cannot be printed by these machines.

Incase of flat color printing, there can be a gamut of colors which the machine cannot produce.

Maximum width of printing is 150cm/58 degrees.