Inkjet recording method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet textile printing on fabrics containing polyester faces challenges with white ink bleeding, low adhesiveness, and high stickiness, leading to poor image quality and abrasion resistance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying a pretreatment liquid followed by two layers of white ink and one layer of color ink using an inkjet and WOW (Wet On Wet) method, with specific formulations for the inks including polymers with carbodiimide or oxazoline groups and urethane resins to enhance adhesiveness and reduce stickiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If white ink is applied to fabric containing polyester, then the fabric can be printed, but the white ink bleeds through the fabric resulting in poor white concealing properties
Solution Approach 1:
The white ink application is divided into multiple sequential layers (first white ink layer, second white ink layer, and optionally third white ink layer) rather than applying a single thick layer. Each layer is applied at controlled densities to progressively build up white concealing properties while preventing bleed-through to the fabric backside.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a dimensional aspect by applying ink layers in the thickness dimension (z-direction) rather than increasing the area coverage. Multiple thin layers are stacked vertically to achieve sufficient opacity and concealing properties without excessive single-layer application that causes bleed-through.
2Reliability
If white ink is applied to fabric containing polyester, then the fabric can be printed, but the ink layer detaches due to low adhesiveness resulting in poor abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 1:
A pretreatment liquid is applied to the fabric before applying the white ink layers. This preliminary action modifies the fabric surface to enhance its adhesion properties, creating a better bonding surface for the subsequent white ink application and preventing ink layer detachment during abrasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The white ink formulation uses composite material composition including specific polymer resins (acrylic resin, vinyl resin, or polyester resin) with controlled glass transition temperatures and molecular weights. This composite approach creates an ink layer with enhanced intrinsic adhesiveness to polyester fabric that resists detachment under abrasion.
3Manufacturing precision
If white ink is applied to fabric, then the image can be formed, but the image portion becomes sticky affecting handle and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The white ink formulation carefully controls the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer resin within a specific range (−50°C to 0°C) and limits the hydroxyl group content to 0.5 mmol/g or less. These parameter changes reduce the stickiness of the cured ink layer while maintaining adequate adhesiveness and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink formulation uses localized functional groups and additives specifically targeted at reducing stickiness in the image portion without compromising overall adhesion. The polymer resin structure is designed with specific functional characteristics that provide non-sticky surface properties while maintaining bonding strength to the fabric.
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
This approach results in high white concealing properties, improved abrasion resistance, and reduced stickiness of the image on the fabric, enhancing the overall quality of the printed matter.
Implementation Method 1
An inkjet recording method is a recording method in which ink droplets are discharged from fine nozzles and deposited on a recording medium to form characters and images
Implementation Method 2
applying a first white ink by an inkjet method and a WOW method onto an application region of the pretreatment liquid obtained in the applying of the pretreatment liquid, to form an image
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An inkjet recording method is provided that includes the following steps: applying a pretreatment liquid to a fabric; applying a first white ink by an inkjet method and a wet on wet method onto an application region of the pretreatment liquid obtained in the applying of the pretreatment liquid, to form an image; applying a second white ink by an inkjet method and a wet on wet method onto the image formed in the applying of the first white ink; and applying a color ink by an inkjet method and a wet on wet method onto an image obtained in the applying of the second white ink.