Sublimation Ink Composition for Cotton and Polyester Transfer Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sublimation inks fail to provide satisfactory color fastness on cotton fabrics and do not offer a soft hand-feel, while plastisol inks can be printed on various materials but lack the desired softness.
Innovation Solution
A sublimation ink formulation including a resin with active hydrogen, a crosslinking agent with isocyanate groups, colorants, and carriers, which allows for transfer printing on cotton and synthetic fabrics with improved color fastness and softness, using a specific composition and blocking process to prevent premature activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sublimation inks are used for transfer printing on cotton fabrics, then the printing process can be performed, but the color fastness is not satisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite ink formulation combining disperse dyes with specific resin components (polyester resin, acrylic resin, and polyurethane resin in specific ratios) to achieve both color fastness on cotton and compatibility with polyester fabrics. This composite approach allows the ink to function effectively on both natural and synthetic fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by controlling the ratios of different resin components and adding specific additives to enable the ink to bond effectively with cotton fabrics while maintaining sublimation properties for polyester, thus improving color fastness without sacrificing fabric compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If plastisol inks are used for transfer printing, then various textile materials can be printed, but the soft hand-feel is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a specific blend of resins with controlled molecular weights and flexibility, along with appropriate plasticizers and carriers, to achieve a soft hand-feel on fabrics while maintaining the ability to print on various textile materials including cotton and polyester.
3Reliability
If sublimation inks are used on polyester fabrics, then the process works effectively, but the color fastness on cotton fabrics is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite ink system that integrates disperse dyes with a multi-component resin formulation specifically designed to work on both polyester and cotton substrates, ensuring effective sublimation transfer and durable color fastness across different fabric types.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink formulation is designed with multi-functional components that enable it to perform effectively on both polyester (through sublimation) and cotton (through resin bonding), making the ink universally applicable to different fabric types while maintaining high color fastness.
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 ink achieves significant color fastness and softness on cotton and synthetic fabrics, meeting industry standards for color retention after washing, and can be printed using conventional offset printers with subsequent heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a resin containing at least one active hydrogen, a crosslinking agent having at least two isocyanate (—NCO) groups
Implementation Method 2
For sublimation inks, the dyes are sublimated at ̃190-210° C. and adhere onto the fabrics
Implementation Method 3
The isocyanate groups on the crosslinking agent may be blocked by reacting with a protecting unit having at least one hydroxyl group
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a sublimation ink which is capable of being transferred to natural fiber fabrics, such as cotton and linen, in addition to synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, etc., and shows significantly improved color fastness. The sublimation ink may include a resin containing at least one active hydrogen, a crosslinking agent having at least two isocyanate (—NCO) groups, and one or more colorants. The sublimation ink may also include one or more carriers, binders, thickeners, and/or solvents. An image can be printed on a transfer medium (e.g. paper) at room temperature with the sublimation ink using conventional offset printer so that the sublimation ink remains inactive. The image can be subsequently transferred onto any desired fabrics under heat and pressure, in which the sublimation ink is activated and bonds the colorant to the fabrics with excellent color effect.