NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY,

KANNUR

TEXTILE CHEMICAL PROCESSING

DISCHARGE PRINTING

AYUSHI THAKUR

BD/16/1970

TD-5
INTRODUCTION

The Printing is a discontinuous method of dyeing. Textile printing is related to dyeing

but, whereas in dyeing proper the whole fabric is uniformly covered with one color, in
printing one or more colors are applied to it in certain parts only, and in sharply
defined patterns. In printing, wooden blocks, stencils, engraved plates, rollers, or silk-
screens are used to place colors on the fabric. There are two types of printing process
available in textile printing industry: all over print and piece print. In all over print, the
fabric is printed before cutting and printing paste is applied simultaneously in the
required place.

Discharge means removal and discharging system means the process which can
produce a white or colored effect on a previously dyed ground. It is done by color or
reducing it by bleaching agent This discharging of color from previously dyed ground
is carried out by a discharging agent which is actually a oxidizing and reducing

agent capable of destroying color by oxidation and reduction.

TYPES OF DISCHARGE PRINTING

There are two types of discharge printing:-

 White discharge

 Color discharge

In white discharge method, only dyed color of fabric is removed whereas in color
discharge, after removing the dyeing color the required color is applied with
discharging agent. Here, color is destroyed by one or multiple color. By this process
pigment in the fabrics is removed chemically and replace it by another color. For
discharge printing, fabric should be 100% cotton and the fabric should be dyed with

dischargeable reactive dye.

Discharge styles have been important since the earliest days of textile printing.With
any industrial process there must be sound technical and commercial reasons for its
conception and continuation. In the case of discharge printing, the following
considerations determine the usefulness of the process compared with other printing
techniques.
1. Printed materials with large areas of ground colour can be produced, the depth,
levelness and penetration of which would be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain by a
direct printing process.

2. Delicate colours and intricate patterns can be reproduced on grounds of any depth,
with a clarity and sharpness that have become the
hallmarks of this style. Intricate white patterns lose their
crispness if left as unprinted areas in a direct, blotch
print, because the print paste spreads unequally in
different directions. In addition, a coloured motif fitted
into a blotch print either leaves unprinted white margins
or forms a third colour where fall-on occurs. In some
cases such effects are acceptable, but they can be
eliminated by using the discharge technique.

3. The extra processes required and the additional costs of discharge pastes mean
that production costs are higher, but the aesthetically superior results give the
product a higher value and enable profit margins to
be maintained or even improved. The higher costs of
discharge printing are often offset when applied to
long-lasting designs used for scarves, ties, cravats and
dressing gowns. As already indicated, in discharge
styles the pattern is produced by the chemical
destruction of the original dye in the printed areas.
The discharging agents used can be oxidising or reducing agents, acids, alkalis and
various salts. An early and, one might say, classical example is the discharge printing
of cotton dyed with indigo, the characteristic colour of which can be destroyed either

by oxidation or reduction.

DISCHARGING AGENTS
The most important methods of discharging are based on reduction. This general method
can be varied and adapted to give discharges with most classes of dye in use and on most
types of fibre. Indeed, to many printers the terms ‘reducing agent’ and ‘discharging agent’ are
synonymous. The most widely used reducing agents are the formaldehyde sulphoxylates. The
stability of these compounds is such that only limited losses of sulphoxylate occur during
printing and prior to steaming.

PROCESS

Flow chart of pigment printing process :

Paste preparation (White paste/ Color paste)

Table preparation/ Machine preparation

Fabric plaited on the table

Pigment printing paste apply with the help of screen

Curing at 190° C (belt speed 5 meter/minute)

Delivery
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 It is an expensive process.
 Large areas of ground of ground  Two stage application involved in
color are possible. dyeing or padding and discharge
 Delicate colours and intricate patterns printing.
possible on deep ground color,  Limited choice of ground and motif
excellent depth and clarity possible. colours. Requires rigid process care
 It has high penetration value. that any default will lead to damages.
 Higher production cost but long  This method requires high water
lasting unique styles. usage.
 Extremely Soft Print  Increase damages, extra goods
 Cleaner Prints over Seams, or uneven should be ordered
surfaces Eco-friendly,contains no  Colors may appear duller, difficult for
phylates or harsh chemicals exact PMS matching
 Can be used on Foil applications to  Design may appear different when
add color to the design using Multiple garment colors
 Good washability, long lasting  Increased cost
 Creates good distress and vintage  Increased production time
effects  Does not work on Dark or Black
 Prints ONLY on Light/ White Garments
Garments.