Abstract:

The surface structure and properties of fabrics significantly influence the color effect of inkjet prints. Modified polyacrylamide, hydrotreated light distillate, acrylic acid copolymer and sodium alginate were used, respectively, to surface-treat two different kinds of cotton fabric in order to analyze the influence of fabric structure and surface treatment on inkjet printing colors of five reactive dye inks. The results show that the high density fabric obtains deeper color and lower wet rubbing fastnesses than low density fabric. Nonionic polyacrylamide with better hydrophilicity gives the best color effect among the four kinds of surface treating agents after inkjet printing with reactive dyes. Sodium sulfate exhibits no obvious darkening effect on inkjet-printed fabrics.

Key words: cotton fabric, surface treatment, reactive dye, ink jet printing, color