ImagesMagUK_April_2021

www.images-magazine.com 34 images APRIL 2021 D TG printing’s ability to print photorealistic prints, quickly, has revolutionised the printing industry. DTG printing is now a fast-growing sector with a 30% average profit margin for businesses, according to ASI Central. It’s digital and eco-friendly with a short learning curve, and you are able to provide personalised options for and least frustrating fabrics to use for DTG printing. Cotton Cotton is strong and affordable, has a soft touch, and easily absorbs water- based inks, with 100% cotton fabrics being king. But your end result also depends on the fabric’s consistency. Thicker materials absorb more ink, leading to more vibrant colours and longer-lasting prints in contrast to thinner materials. There are various cotton types, and their quality may depend on the manufacturer. For the best possible print, you should choose smoother, softer fabrics. Regular cotton vs organic cotton Regular cotton is made by taking fibres and twisting them together to create a yarn that is then woven together. Regular cotton is affordable, and very popular in fast fashion. An alternative is organic cotton, which is said to be more environmentally friendly and is grown without the use of synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. As such, it is considered one of the most sustainable choices for DTG printing. There is, however, no difference in the print quality between regular and organic, provided both use yarn that is ringspun and preferably combed. Industry experts provide insight and guidance in all areas of digital garment and textile printing Digital helpdesk This eye-catching design was printed on a cotton T-shirt using a Polyprint TexJet DTG printer Irida Gogolou, who works in quality control at the Polyprint Chemical Lab, explains how fabric choice affects the quality of your DTG prints Irida Gogolou your most demanding customers. But there is a trick to consistently providing high-quality prints for your clients – the fabric you print on is the key! Fabrics are the cornerstone of successful DTG printing and some produce better results than others. It is important to choose the right premium- quality fabric to bring your creations to life and produce superior print with a soft touch that hold up to wear and tear. Fabrics that best qualify for DTG DTG printing is used for intricate designs with scalpel-sharp details and a wide range of colours. Because DTG printers use water-based inks, you will achieve better results with natural fabrics as they are able to absorb liquids. The outcome will be a print rich in colour and strongly fixated into the fabric’s fibres that, in the long-term, will result in high wash-endurance. Historically, synthetic fabrics have tended to be a less suitable choice as the plastic within their composition repels water. However, recent advances in pretreatment technology are beginning to open up the market for DTG printing on synthetics. Nevertheless, cotton (combed or organic), linen, light-coloured polyester and polyblends remain the most popular