Pigment Print

Definition and Overview

Pigment print is a process in which pigments, which are coloring agents, are mixed with an adhesive resin called a binder and attached and fixed to the surface of textile. Because the pigment itself does not dissolve into the fibers and bond with them, the color-development mechanism differs from dye printing, which colors the inside of the fibers.

A key feature is that it is easy to apply to a wide range of materials, including cotton, polyester, and nylon. However, whether it can actually be processed and whether it meets the required durability must be checked based on the surface condition of the textile, composition, elasticity of the knitted or woven fabric, and the combination of pigment and binder used.

Texture and Appearance Characteristics

Because a thin film is formed on the surface of the textile in the printed area, it may feel firmer and stiffer than the plain area. In particular, designs with large solid areas, dark colors, or heavy application of color paste are more likely to affect breathability, softness, and drape.

Pigment print is a process that makes it relatively easy to achieve a matte appearance and clearly defined patterns. On the other hand, gloss, opacity, and color vividness vary depending on the type of pigment and binder, base color, and processing conditions. For thin fabrics, it is necessary to check for show-through from the base fabric and changes in texture as well.

Main Applications

In addition to apparel items such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, shirts, and dresses, it is used for a wide range of products where patterns and logos are to be expressed, including bags, hats, aprons, miscellaneous goods, and interior fabrics. Selection is based less on the fabric structure and fiber type than on the intended design and required durability.

It is not a process limited to a specific season, but for thin fabrics for spring and summer or items that touch the skin, the effect of the printed area on breathability and texture affects wear comfort. For fleece or fuzzy materials for autumn and winter, the sharpness of the design and adhesion may change depending on the state of the nap.

How to Choose and Handling Precautions

During planning, organize the pattern area, line thickness, area of use, washing frequency, and areas subject to frequent friction, then confirm the texture and appearance through test processing. In particular, for stretch fabric, it is important to check how cracking or whitening appears when the garment is stretched during wear and to choose a formulation that follows the stretch.

For washing, it is effective to follow the product care label, wash inside out, avoid strong friction, and not store the printed surface folded against itself at high temperature. Tumble dryers and high-temperature ironing may affect the condition of the film, so iron with a pressing cloth or avoid the printed area.

Shrinkage is not determined uniformly by pigment print alone, but is mainly affected by the base fabric material, knitted or woven structure, pretreatment, and washing conditions. Before cutting and sewing, boil-washing or straightening the grain should be carried out as needed, and the shrinkage rate after printing, skew, and fading around the seams should be checked under mass-production conditions.

• During sewing, check whether needle holes or pressure marks are noticeable on the printed surface.
• For areas with overlapping seams or strong folds, check film cracking, peeling, and seam puckering in prototypes.
• In quality evaluation, check not only washing fastness but also rubbing fastness and light fastness according to the application.

Differences from Similar Terms

Printing is a broad term for all processing that expresses patterns, text, and the like on textile. Pigment print is one type of printing and refers to a method in which pigments are fixed to the surface with a binder. Screen printing is a printing method that uses a stencil to place color paste on the textile, and it is a technique also used for pigment print.

Inkjet printing is a method of expressing patterns by spraying ink based on digital data. Pigment ink may also be used, but the term does not refer to the processing method itself. In addition, dye printing fixes dye to the fibers, so its texture, color development, suitable fibers, and durability verification items generally differ from those of pigment print.

Frequently Asked Questions