Pigment vs dye
A dye dissolves and enters the fibre (reactive, acid, disperse/sublimation). A pigment is a tiny solid particle that does not dissolve; it needs a binder (usually a polyurethane or acrylic polymer) to glue it to the surface of the fibre. DTF and DTG inks are pigment inks; so are most textile “pigment” inks for fabric by the metre.
Pigment textile printing process
- Fabric prepared (some systems need no pre-treatment; others use a binder or primer pre-coat).
- Print with pigment ink (binder may be in the ink or jetted separately).
- Cure with hot air or heat, typically around 140–170°C for 2–4 minutes, so the binder cross-links.
- Done: no steaming, no washing.
Materials
Cotton, polyester and blends – one ink for mixed fibres.
Strengths
- Simplest textile process: print and cure.
- Very low water use; no washing effluent.
- Works on blends where reactive and sublimation cannot.
- Good light fastness.
Limits
- Colours, especially black, are less deep than reactive.
- Rub fastness and hand feel depend heavily on binder and curing.
- Particles and binder can clog heads: daily maintenance and the right cleaning fluid are essential.
Common faults
| Fault | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Colour rubs off (crocking) | Under-cured binder or too little binder |
| Stiff hand | Too much ink or binder |
| Nozzle drop-outs | Ink drying on the plate or settled pigment; keep capped, circulate, clean daily |
Head care for pigment inks
Pigment inks (DTF, DTG, textile) are water-based and dry hard. Use a water-based cleaning fluid such as TD DailyFlo for daily cap and wiper cleaning, and keep heads capped when idle.
Videos and references
External videos are from other companies and may show different machines. Where they differ, follow the TrueDot steps above.