HippieGuy

What is the difference between 'pigment dyeing' and reactive dyes'?

Which is prefered, or most popular, for end user?
Which is an easier sell when retailing shirts..

 

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Rodney

This thread gives some good definitions of both those dye types: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

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bnash

Both Pigment and reactive dyeing are used (normally) for natural fiber fabrics. The main pros to reactive dyes (my opinion) are saturation levels, wash-fastness, very vibrant colors. the cons to reactive dyes are that the fabrics must always be pretreated, after printing they have to be steamed, then washed before they are completely finished curing.

Pigment inks do not have to have a pretreatment on most natural fabrics, heat to set and they are finished.
the cons are that they do not have the wash-fastness of reactive inks or the vibrancy. however, the post print time being so much shorter makes up for it.

my two cents.

 

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WillWork4TShirts

Quote: Originally Posted by HippieGuy What is the difference between 'pigment dyeing' and reactive dyes'? Which is prefered, or most popular, for end user? Which is an easier sell when retailing shirts..

Some Quick Thoughts From Digital Print View:
Pigment Dyes
Pros Easy To Cure, More Easily Printed
Cons Not As Vibrant on Fabric As Reactive Dyes

Reactive Dyes
Pros VERY, VERY Vibrant Colors & Permanent
Cons Curing > Steam Press is Needed

You See Roll Goods Printed Digitally w Reactive Dyes.
I don't know of any DTG Printers Using Reactive Dyes.
Would Like to hear about any that are available!!!

 

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bnash

we have a flexi set up with reactive dyes. it prints just as our pigment flexis do. the problem is the post print time... if it wasnt for that i would print everything with with reactive.

 

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WillWork4TShirts

Quote: Originally Posted by bnash we have a flexi set up with reactive dyes. it prints just as our pigment flexis do. the problem is the post print time... if it wasnt for that i would print everything with with reactive.

Bnash:
Genius Move!
How do you cure them?
What is ur ink cost per liter?

 

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bnash

we cure by placing under heat press, flashing for 10-15 secs then steam it in a Jacquard steamer, then wash in normal household washing machine. the flash right off the printer just dries it to the touch so it can be handled.

the ink runs 200-220 USD a liter.

 

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