Printing Systems
Acid Textile
An acid-ink textile printing system is used to print on protein and polyamide fibres such as wool, silk and nylon. The process, completed by steaming and washing after printing, is set up according to the fabric and the ink series.
01 / About the System
What is Acid Textile
Acid dye inks interact chemically with protein and polyamide fibres such as wool, silk and nylon. In this system the print is made directly on the fabric, and the colour is fixed in the fibre in the following steaming step.
The fabric is usually given a pre-treatment before printing that controls how the ink spreads and how the dye is taken up. The content of the pre-treatment varies with the fabric type and the ink series in use.
Steaming and washing after printing are the decisive steps for colour fastness and fabric handle. The system configuration is planned according to the line layout in which these steps take place.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Silk fabrics
Printing on silk surfaces such as scarves, shawls and fashion fabric.
- 02
Wool and wool blends
Printing applications on wool and wool-blend fabrics.
- 03
Nylon and polyamide
Printing on nylon-based fabrics, for example in sportswear and swimwear textiles.
- 04
Fashion and sample production
Short-run collections and sample prints.
Fibre type, pre-treatment and steaming conditions are confirmed with a test print for each fabric.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Pre-Treatment
Pre-treatment
The fabric is prepared to support dye uptake and print sharpness.
- 02Printer
Printing
The pattern is printed directly onto the fabric with acid ink.
- 03Steaming
Steaming
Under steam, the dye interacts with the fibre and becomes fixed.
- 04Washing
Washing
Unfixed dye and pre-treatment residues are removed and the fabric is dried.
Pre-treatment content, steaming time and washing conditions vary with the fabric and the ink series.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
An acid-ink system is considered not only as a printer but together with the pre-treatment, steaming and washing steps. The configuration is set by the fabric type and the production pattern; which part of the line is to be supplied is planned according to the need.
- 01
Needs assessment
The target fabrics (silk, wool, nylon), the product group and the need for pre-treatment and steaming are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The printer, pre-treatment and steaming capability and the consumables are defined according to the fabric type.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the printer or also the pre-treatment and steaming equipment.
- 04
Installation
The energy, water and steam infrastructure needed for the steaming and washing steps is addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
After calibration and test prints, colour results are assessed together after steaming and washing.
- 06
Technical support
If colour or steaming results drift after commissioning, a technical service request can be created.
05 / Related Ink
TrueHue Acid Textile inks
Acid inks can be selected from the TrueHue Acid Textile family. Compatibility is not determined by the ink alone; the machine configuration, the print head, the fabric pre-treatment and the steaming conditions are assessed together.