Ink types

Textile printers constantly look for ways to improve their designs and textile prints. The ink type used for textile printing is an indispensable part of any design. High quality inks uncomplicated for printing purposes and less damaging to the environment have been in strong demand in recent years. With a plethora of available ink types available, how do we choose the one most suitable for our printing process?

Acid ink‍
Even for surface prints, which preserve colors less well than other print types, the so-called ‘acid ink’ is known for its intense color nuances, by dint of which it is often used in silk and wool printing. When printing on such materials, acid ink promises excellent color intensity. Since acid ink is highly resistant to chlorine and saltwater, and due to its high color intensity, acid ink is often used on swimwear, which, in addition to silk and wool, is often made from lycra and similar fabrics.

Reactive ink
The most used ink in the textile printing industry today is ‘reactive.’ Reactive ink is especially well-liked among digital textile printers. It is most suitable for printing on cotton but can similarly be used for printing on silk and wool.

Sublimation ink
The digital printing industry witnessed the dawning popularity of transfer and sublimation prints. When we print with sublimation ink on paper, we position the paper and fabric in a closed chamber in which heat and pressure transform the ink from a liquid to a gas that easily penetrates the fabric’s fibers. The ink is sealed inside the fabric when the heat and pressure are released.

Pigment ink
Even though about 50% of all fabrics within conventional printing is printed using pigment ink, it makes sense when customers ask for a ‘digital pigment print.’ This is essentially a request for a simple solution with solid colors at an affordable price; a product that digital printing has yet to produce to the same degree.

Dispersive ink
The most popular ink within traditional printing on polyester materials is dispersive ink. With dispersive printing the ink is sprayed directly onto the fabric, which is then steamed and cleaned. During the steaming process, the threads open, letting the ink seep into the fabric. After the steaming process, the fibers are closed, locking the colors inside the fabric. This method creates high levels of color intensity and wash durability.

In summation
The ink type employed greatly affects the quality of the print, which is why we recommend that only the best possible ink is used for any given print. Due to the large selection of inks on offer, choosing the right one can be a challenge.