Pigment printing
Also known as: Pigment printing
Printing process in which insoluble pigments are fixed to the fibre surface with a polymer binder — universally applicable on all fibres.
Description
In pigment printing, finely milled water-insoluble colour pigments are mixed with a polymer binder (usually polyacrylate or polyurethane dispersion), thickener and auxiliaries into a print paste. This is applied by screen, rotary or digital print onto the textile. Fixation is not by chemical bonding to the fibre but by the binder, which cures at 150-170 degrees in the oven into a film that traps the pigment on the fibre surface.
The big advantage: pigment printing works on all fibre types — cotton, polyester, wool, silk, linen and blends. It is much simpler than reactive or vat printing, requires no washing off (only drying and curing) and is therefore very water and energy efficient.
Disadvantages are a slightly firmer hand from the binder film (compared to reactive print) and rubbing fastness, which reaches only grade 3-4 with intense shades. For mass textile printing (T-shirts, bed linen, home textiles) pigment printing is today the most widely used process worldwide.
Properties
| Chemistry | Pigment + polymer binder + thickener |
|---|---|
| Fibre suitability | Universally applicable on all fibres |
| Environmental profile | No washing off, very water-efficient |
| Fastness | Rubbing fastness 3-4 with intense shades |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Pigmentdruck Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigmentdruck
