Water Based Ink For Fabric Printing
Quick-drying water-based inks are environmentally friendly inks made with water as the main solvent and special resins and additives. Their core advantages are fast drying speed, low VOC, and suitability for high-speed printing. They are widely used in packaging, labeling, flexible packaging and other fields.
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Product Introduction
Composition of Water Based Ink for Fabric Printing
The performance and quality of water based ink are determined by its carefully balanced components, each serving a critical role in the printing process and final result:
- Pigments: The core component that provides color. High-quality organic or inorganic pigments ensure vibrancy, light-fastness, and color consistency across batches. Pigment particle size is optimized to ensure even dispersion and deep penetration into fabric fibers.
- Binders: Acrylic resins or hybrid blends of acrylic and polyurethanes that form a strong bond between pigments and fabric fibers. Binders ensure the ink adheres firmly to the fabric, enhancing durability, wash fastness, and flexibility.
- Humectants: Maintain the ink's moisture content to prevent premature drying in the screen, reducing screen blockages and production stoppages. Critical for maintaining consistent ink flow during printing, especially in low-humidity environments.
- Thickeners: Adjust the ink's viscosity to suit different printing methods (screen printing, digital printing) and fabric types, ensuring optimal flow and coverage without bleeding or pooling.
- Defoamers: Prevent foam formation during mixing and application, ensuring smooth, even prints without air bubbles or defects.
- Surfactants: Improve the ink's flow and spreadability on the fabric surface, ensuring uniform coverage and adherence to even hard-to-print fabrics.
- Preservatives/Antimicrobials: Prevent bacterial growth and mold formation, extending the ink's shelf life and ensuring consistent
performance over time.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Curing Wavelength | 365-395nm (UV-LED compatible) |
| Curing Time | 2-5 seconds (60-100mJ/cm²) |
| Wash Resistance | ≥50 cycles (ISO 105-C10, 60℃) |
| Substrates | Cotton, polyester, nylon, blended cloth labels |
| Viscosity | 150-300 cP (adjustable for flexo presses) |
| Color Range | CMYK + custom Pantone spot colors |
| Shelf Life | 12 months (sealed,15-25℃) |
Advantage
Ultimate Hand Feel: The water-based formula deeply penetrates the fibers, providing a near-zero hand feel while maintaining the fabric's natural softness and drape.
Superior Breathability: No glue clumps form in the printed area, preserving the fabric's original breathability, making it particularly suitable for high-end summer wear and sportswear.
Environmentally Friendly Export Standards: 100% PVC and phthalate-free.
Industrial-Grade Wash Resistance: After high-temperature curing, it firmly bonds to the fibers, resisting cracking and color fading after multiple washes, achieving a wash fastness of 4.5 or higher.
High-Efficiency Production: Excellent mesh stability prevents clogging, supporting high-speed continuous operation on automatic printing machines.
FAQ:
How to Use Water Based Ink for Fabric Printing?
It is designed for ease of use, with straightforward application and curing processes suitable for both industrial and small-scale operations. Follow these key steps for optimal results:
1. Fabric Preparation: Wash fabrics to remove sizing, dirt, or oils that may prevent ink adhesion. For best results, test the ink on a small swatch of fabric to ensure compatibility and color accuracy-especially for blends or synthetic fabrics. For dark fabrics, use a white underbase to enhance color vibrancy and opacity.
2. Ink Application: Suitable for screen printing, digital textile printing, and other common textile printing methods. For screen printing, use a water-resistant emulsion to prevent stencil damage, and maintain a flood stroke between prints to prevent ink from drying in the screen. Adjust ink viscosity with water or retarders as needed-retarders can slow drying time for more flexible printing schedules.
3. Curing Process: Proper curing is critical for durability. Most water based inks cure at temperatures between 300°F (149°C) and 375°F (190°C), depending on the fabric type. Use a heat press or household iron (with a parchment paper barrier) for 40 seconds to 3 minutes, ensuring even heat distribution and adequate airflow to evaporate water and fuse binders to the fabric. Avoid rushing the drying process, as under-cured ink may peel or fade after washing.
4. Cleanup: Clean screens, tools, and equipment immediately after use with water-no harsh solvents required. This simplifies cleanup and reduces environmental impact compared to plastisol inks.
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