Fabric print medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges in textile printing arise due to fabric's high absorbency, which diminishes color characteristics, and synthetic fabrics' crystalline nature leading to ink bleed, resulting in poor image quality, durability, and flammability concerns, along with issues of softness and wrinkle resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fabric print medium with a surface energy-controlling agent, a primary coating composition including a polymeric binder and filler particles, and an image-receiving coating composition with crosslinked polymeric networks applied to the fabric substrate, enhancing ink retention and durability while providing fire resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fabric substrate is used for printing, then textile applications are enabled, but image quality deteriorates due to high absorbency and ink bleed
Solution Approach 1:
A coating composition comprising a polymeric binder and filler particles is applied to the fabric substrate to serve as an intermediary layer. This coating modifies the fabric surface to reduce excessive ink absorbency and prevent ink bleed while maintaining the fabric's textile properties, thereby improving image quality without sacrificing textile application capability
Solution Approach 2:
The surface energy of the fabric substrate is modified through the application of a coating composition that changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fabric surface. This parameter change controls ink absorption and retention, preventing both excessive absorbency and ink bleed, thus resolving the image quality issue while preserving fabric versatility
2Ease of operation
If traditional fabric treatment is applied, then softness is maintained, but durability and fire resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coating composition is formulated as a composite material containing a polymeric binder, filler particles, and flame retardant agents. This composite structure provides multiple functions simultaneously: the polymeric binder maintains softness and flexibility, the filler particles enhance durability, and the flame retardant agents provide fire resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between softness and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The coating composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it improves image quality by controlling ink absorption, enhances durability through filler particles, provides fire resistance via flame retardant agents, and maintains softness through the polymeric binder. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between softness and reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If surface coating is applied to improve image quality, then ink retention improves, but fabric softness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coating composition is formulated with specific parameter ranges: the polymeric binder has a glass transition temperature of less than 5° C. to ensure flexibility and softness, while the filler particles are present in controlled amounts to provide image quality improvement without excessive stiffness. This parameter control allows the coating to enhance ink retention while maintaining fabric softness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in improved image quality, permanence, and softness, along with enhanced durability and fire resistance, addressing the limitations of traditional textile printing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a fabric base substrate containing a surface energy-controlling agent
Implementation Method 2
a primary coating composition including a polymeric binder and filler particles applied to, at least, one side of the fabric base substrate
Implementation Method 3
an image-receiving coating composition including a first and a second crosslinked polymeric network
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric print medium containing a fabric base substrate, a primary coating composition that includes a polymeric binder and filler particles; and an image-receiving coating composition that includes, at least, a first crosslinked polymeric network and a second crosslinked polymeric network, that is applied over the primary coating composition. The fabric base substrate includes a surface energy-controlling agent. Also disclosed are the method for making such fabric print medium and the method for producing printed images using said material.