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Basic Knowledge of Printed Cotton Fabric

2025-11-06

1、 Preparation of flower patterns

(1) Flower back size

Regardless of the fabric of the order we receive, the first thing we need to do is check the size of the flower return. The so-called loop size refers to the distance of the same pattern within one cycle in the length direction (warp direction) of the fabric. The conventional size is 64CM per cycle, which is the common round screen printing. Currently, more advanced imported round screen printing machines have added three sizes: 81.7CM, 91.4CM, and 101.8CM. Other loop sizes can only be printed through flat screen printing. The other difference between circular mesh and flat mesh lies in the lower efficiency of flat mesh printing, but the printing of flowers, characters, and cloud patterns has prominent layering effects, resulting in higher processing costs.

(2) Color matching of flower patterns
Printing often consists of many colors, and we can simply count the color block patterns. When it comes to floral patterns or cloud patterns, it is more important for professionals or factories to make judgments, as this also involves our pricing. One color in a flower pattern is called a set of colors, usually there are several sets of colors. Before printing, we must make the same number of nets. The conventional set of colors for circular screen printing machines can print up to 16 sets of colors, while for flat screen printing, the number of sets of colors is not limited according to the size of the flower, and generally does not exceed 12 sets. This is also related to the printing equipment of the printing and dyeing factory. Before accepting an order, we must ask carefully.

(3) Selection of dyes

Cotton printing is usually divided into reactive printing and pigment printing. We usually judge it based on the hand feel. Reactive printing has a soft hand feel, and water can quickly penetrate in areas with patterns, while pigment printing has a stiff hand feel. Water is not easy to penetrate in areas with patterns. Of course, we can also use bleach or disinfectant for simple testing, and those that fade in bleach are called reactive printing. It is up to the customer the final say which kind of printing to use. Reactive printing has more processes and higher overall costs than pigment printing, and it is in line with the current global environmental theme.

2、 Preparation for making a net

After determining whether it is circular mesh printing or flat mesh printing, we need to carry out the work of making the mesh. This is the work of the printing and dyeing factory, and we have a little understanding of it. Usually, the factory will sample the color by computer according to the pattern, produce the overall effect color draft, make small pieces for sampling, and after the sampling customer confirms, start making the large mesh and preparing for printing.

3、 Printing process

(1）Public process

Like the pre-treatment of dyed fabrics (see basic knowledge of dyeing), before printing, it is necessary to go through processes such as singeing, desizing, boiling, bleaching, silk finishing, and coating printing. Silk finishing is not necessary for printing, but the warp shrinkage rate may be higher. After the fabric with good silk finishing is heated and shaped, we can print it. Plate screen printing or flat screen printing has low efficiency, usually 20-30 meters/minute, and the preparation time before printing is long. Rotary screen printing usually has 40-50 meters/minute, and simple pattern printing can reach 80 meters/minute, which shows the efficiency.

(2) The difference between post-treatment of coatings and reactive printing

Paint printing is a physical process, and after printing, it needs to be baked to fix the color and improve color fastness. Many factories also skip this process to reduce costs. Compared to light colors, the impact on color fastness is not significant. After baking, as long as the stretching is soft, it can be done. According to customer requirements, calendering and pre shrinking shrinking can also be carried out. Finally, the finished product is inspected and packaged.

Reactive printing is a chemical reaction. It is a process in which reactive dye groups and cotton fiber groups undergo chemical reactions under certain temperature and humidity conditions. Therefore, the next step in our printing process is steaming, during which most of the dyes and fibers react. Excess dyes and various catalyst slurries in the printing process are removed by washing with water. Afterwards, conventional stretching, pre shrinking, and calendering processes are used, and functional finishing such as anti mite and anti bacterial treatment, three proof treatment, flame retardant finishing, etc. can also be carried out according to customer requirements.

At present, there have been new developments in pigment printing, with new ultra soft coatings and high sun fastness coatings widely used. Many pigment printing products have also passed the European OeKe Tex 100 test. More active printing products are used in clothing, especially in baby clothing, home bedding fabrics, and so on.

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