Cotton Fabric Inkjet Printing with Acid Dyes

Cotton fabric inkjet printing with acid dyes is investigated using quaternary ammonium (choline chloride (cc)) and two crosslinking agents (DMDHEU and BTCA) to examine dye uptake. The concentrations of chemicals, the finishing conditions, and the inkjet printing processes are explored. With the aid of crosslinkers, acid inks can be used satisfactorily on cotton. Adding CC to the crosslinkers improves acid dye uptake only slightly more than using the crosslinking agent alone. A disadvantage of cc is that the loose dye stains onto white unprinted areas during laundering. The main function of crosslinkers is not only to chemically link the dye to cellulose, but also to form a crosslinked network to block the entrance of the fiber pores where dye molecules have previously penetrated.