Pigment inks are a popular choice for traditional printing. In fact, approximately 60% of traditionally printed fabrics are printed using pigment inks. The main advantages of using simulated pigments are that they are fast, flexible and cost-effective. However, the advantages of traditional pigments don't really translate to digital printing. so far.
Fast forward to today, and manufacturers have invested millions of dollars in developing pigment inks for digital printing. Modern digital pigments provide perfect results for blended, natural and synthetic fabrics. What makes them unique is their ability to adapt to a variety of fabric types. By 2023, pigment printing can be a quality and reliable solution for your textile printing business. Here are some of the benefits it can bring:
1. Pigment ink is compatible with blended fabrics
In contrast to reactive printing, pigment printing is particularly suitable for blended fabrics. Today, no other digital ink is available for blended fabrics. Additionally, pigment inks are compatible with both natural and synthetic fabrics, making them the most versatile option.
Because the pigment ink adheres to the top of the material, it is particularly useful for polyester/cotton fabrics: this combination transcends sportswear and is becoming increasingly popular in the casual wear market.
2. Pigment inks can reduce a company's carbon footprint
Digital pigment inks reduce the number of steps in the printing process. No need for steam and water washing after printing, saving time and energy. In a world where the public, policymakers and customers are increasingly interested in environmental impact, eliminating the need to steam and wash fabrics can significantly reduce a company's carbon footprint. Switching to digital pigment printing demonstrates your commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly and operating sustainably.
3. Improve color quality and feel
The fastness and color brightness of digital pigment inks have been greatly improved. Today, the results are virtually indistinguishable from reactive and sublimation fabric printing technologies.
Innovations in ink chemistry and fabric pre-treatment have improved the quality of printed textiles. Because the pigments do not have binding properties, previous water-based pigment inks were less fast to wash than other digital inks. By correctly pre-treating the fabric, you can ensure high color brightness and significantly improve the quality of the finished fabric. While this does involve extra processing, it pays off in the finished product: soft, smooth fabric that suits the high standards of the fashion industry.
4.Excellent light fastness
Color fastness is a key factor in this industry, and innovation is making a difference. One of the outstanding properties of pigment inks is their excellent lightfastness.
This makes digital pigment printing ideal for home and outdoor textiles. Excellent light fastness does not mean reduced wash fastness. Pre-treatment ensures that the colors remain bright and vibrant so that the application can also be used in the fashion market.
5. Improve operating efficiency and performance
The rapid development of pigment inks makes them better suited to an increasing number of printing presses without causing any downtime.
