Many different methods exist for print on fabric, making final decisions challenging. Do you think reactive printing might work for your undertaking? What sets it apart from other forms of printing, and what are its benefits?
The reactive printing method will be examined in detail today. What follows is a complete guide to the most important aspects of this novel and powerful printing technique.
Grasp the concept of reactive printing
Using a reactive printing procedure, colour may be fixed into a cloth for good. This means it will hold up well to several washings and will not fade. Because of the greater colour production, the colours are more vivid and resistant to rubbing. This method works well with protein fibres found in natural fabrics like silk, cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, hemp, etc. Textiles made from synthetic materials or polymers do not work well with reactive printing.
How does it work
Reactive printing is a technique that permanently imprints designs into the fibres of a cloth using reactive dye and steam. After the cloth has been prepared, it is printed with reactive dyes using an inkjet printer. The dye is then "set" into the cloth by steaming them at a high temperature. The chemical interaction between the dye, the pre-treatment, and the steam generates a covalent bond, infusing the fibre with colour. After the cloth has been pretreated and dyed, it is washed to remove the excess of both, leaving behind a design that is both vivid and resistant to wear.
Printing process
Before printing, a specific coating is applied to the cloth. This provides a strong connection between the dye and the fibres of the cloth.
The cloth with the reactive dye is printed using an inkjet.
The printed cloth is treated with a high-pressure steamer set to a very high temperature in order to fix the colours into the fibres. As a result, it guarantees that the print will persist through several washes without losing its lustre.
The printed cloth goes through a washing process to get rid of any remaining pre-treatment or excess colour.