Ink Category
TrueHue Acid Textile Inks
Acid inks interact chemically with protein fibres such as wool and silk and with polyamide fibres such as nylon. The colour is fixed in the fibre in the steaming step after printing.
- Ink family
- TrueHue
- Category
- Acid Textile
- Print medium
- Protein and polyamide fabric
01 / About the Ink
What is acid ink
In acid ink the dye molecule interacts chemically with protein fibres and with polyamide fibres. This interaction relies on a bonding mechanism different from that of cellulosic fibres.
Because this bonding does not occur on cellulosic fibres such as cotton and linen, the class is not considered for these fabrics; reactive or pigment inks are considered for cellulosic structures. Fixation conditions are adjusted to the fibre type.
Before printing, the fabric usually undergoes a pre-treatment that supports dye uptake and print sharpness. The ink is assessed together with machine configuration, print head, pre-treatment and steaming conditions.
02 / Applications
Applications
- 01
Silk fabrics
Prints on silk surfaces such as scarves, shawls and fashion fabric.
- 02
Wool and wool blends
Print applications on wool and wool-blend fabrics.
- 03
Nylon and polyamide
Prints on nylon-based fabrics, for example in sports and swimwear textiles.
- 04
Fashion and sampling
Short-run collection and sample prints.
Fibre type, pre-treatment and steaming conditions are verified with a test print on each fabric.
03 / Process
The ink's place in the process
- 01Pre-Treatment
Pre-treatment
The fabric is prepared to support dye uptake and print sharpness.
- 02Printing
Printing
The pattern is printed directly onto the fabric with acid ink.
- 03Steaming
Steaming
Under steam the dye interacts with the fibre and is fixed.
- 04Washing
Washing
Unfixed dye and pre-treatment residues are removed and the fabric is dried.
Pre-treatment content, steaming time and washing conditions are determined by the fabric and the ink series.
04 / Related Equipment
Related Machines and Equipment
These pages show the machines and process equipment associated with this ink category. Compatibility is not determined by the ink alone; machine configuration, print head and process conditions are assessed together.
- 01View the equipment
Acid Textile
05 / Knowledge Center
Ink Guide
- 01
What Is Acid Ink? Use in Silk, Wool and Polyamide Printing
Acid ink is an ink class that chemically interacts with protein-based fibers such as wool and silk, and with polyamide fibers such as nylon; it isn't used on cellulosic fibers like cotton, since that bonding mechanism doesn't form there.
Read the guide - 02
How Is Ink-Machine Compatibility Evaluated?
Ink-machine compatibility is the evaluation, both before and after installation, of whether a given ink series will run smoothly with a machine's print head and feeding system.
Read the guide