Disperse Dyes Printing Thickeners

Disperse dye printing paste is mainly composed of natural polymer substances, suitable for polyester knitted and woven fabrics with disperse dye printing, the paste as the carrier of the printing dye paste plays a key role in the printing effect. This product has a high colour yield and can be used to print polyester fibres with a soft hand and clear pattern. It can be mixed with a small amount of disperse thickener to reduce costs.

Functions of Printing Thickeners

• Viscosity: Provide the right thickness for controlled, precise printing.
• Adhesion: Help the dye or pigment adhere to the fabric.
• Film Formation: Ensure the design remains sharp during and after washing.
• Prevent Bleeding: Limit spreading of dyes or pigments.

Disperse dyes are a class of insoluble dyes primarily used for printing on synthetic fibers like polyester, acetate, and nylon. They are characterized by their ability to disperse in water and form a dye bath or paste, which adheres to the fibers through heat fixation.

Disperse Dyes Printing

What Are Disperse Dyes?

• Insoluble in water: They are finely ground powders dispersed in water with the help of dispersing agents.
• Affinity: They have a high affinity for synthetic fibers, especially polyester.
• Color Range: Available in a wide range of vibrant colors and shades.

Printing Process with Disperse Dyes

1. Fabric Preparation:
Clean and treat the fabric, typically polyester, to remove impurities and enhance dye fixation.

2. Preparation of Printing Paste:

• Disperse dyes are mixed with DS-101 thickeners (such as cellulose derivatives or gums).
• Dispersing agents and surfactants may be added to maintain uniform dispersion.
• The paste should have the right viscosity for printing (similar to reactive dyes but often more viscous).

3. Printing:

• The paste is applied via screen or roller printing methods to the fabric.
• Precise control over the application ensures clear, sharp designs.

4. Fixation (Heat Thermofixation):

• The printed fabric is subjected to heat in a heat press or oven, typically at 180–220°C.
• The high temperature causes the dye to sublime and fix onto the fibers through physical adhesion and diffusion.

5. Washing:

• A subsequent wash removes unfixed dye, leaving vibrant, wash-fast prints.

Textile printing. Workers assessing the colours on a textile sheet after printing. The textile pattern has been printed using the rollers of a rotary printer (at upper centre). Each of the rollers print a single colour onto the textile, each forming a part of the completed pattern. Photographed in Germany.

Advantages of Disperse Dyes Printing

• Vibrant Colors: Exceptional brightness and color depth.
• Fastness Properties: Good wash, light, and rubbing fastness when properly fixed.
• Excellent for Polyester: The primary dye used in polyester printing.

Disperse Dyes Printing Paste Components

• Disperse dyes powder
• Thickener (cellulose derivatives or gums)
• Dispersing agents
• Surfactants
• Water