Printing with

® ®
Ciba UNISPERSE pigments

and
® ®
Ciba ALCOPRINT P system
Textile Effects
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
 Printing Training

1&2
By Wolfgang Heitkamp
Textile Effects
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
End uses for pigment printed textiles
• Home Furnishings, curtains and upholstery
• Bedding
• Fashion
• Military articles
• Flags and Banners
• Technical textiles

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Subdivision of Textile Print Production
Vat Acid Other
Disperse 2% 2% 1% Pigment
15% 53%

Reactive
27%

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Advantages of Pigment Printing

• Economical printing process which allows the maximum

output of fabric because of the elimination of washing off,
quick sampling and high printing speeds.

• By using selected products pigment prints have an

unsurpassed fastness to light and good general fastness
properties.

Textile Effects
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Advantages of Pigment Printing

• Can be applied to all substrates including very delicate

fabrics, glass fibres, PVC and imitation leather.

• Offers the fewest problems to the printer of all coloration

processes including low labour costs, less capital outlay
and reliability of production.

• Mistakes can be recognised quickly.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Printing Flow Chart
SUBSTANTIVE PIGMENT
PRINT
DRY
DRY
FIXATION
STEAM
CONDITIONS
150°C 5 - 6 mins
WASH CURE
160°C 3 - 4 mins
170°C 2 - 3 mins
DRY
180°C 1min
FINISH
FINISH
FINISHED
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects ARTICLE
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Ciba concept

• UNISPERSE aqueous pigment dispersions

• Combinations based on end use and economy.

• Printed with ALCOPRINT P system, for excellent economy,

performance, levelness, brilliancy and definition.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 UNISPERSE pigments

• A compact range of cost effective pigments for textile

printing, with high in-use fastness, easy dispensing, very
bright shades plus excellent compatibility with Ciba®
ALCOPRINT® auxiliaries. Their introduction can be assisted
with the COLPOCA recipe prediction system

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
UNISPERSE pigments
Features Benefits

high quality pigment dispersions outstanding reproducibility

very high light fastness suitable for outdoor items

very brilliant shades large color space

no MAK III relevant products comply with German Consumer

Protection Act
low effect on viscosity of stock lower amount of thickener needed
thickening consistent printing quality
APEO free Conform to highest environmental
standards
free of formaldehyde conforms to occupational exposure
limits safe in use
low-viscosity pigment dispersions suitable for direct dispensing
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
The UNISPERSE range
Yellow M3G
Yellow MR

Orange MG

Red G

Brown RB Red 2BN

Green GL Black C
a*

Violet R

Blue G Navy RT
Blue B
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects b*
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 UNISPERSE
UNISPERSE Yellow M3G
UNISPERSE Yellow MR
UNISPERSE Orange N
UNISPERSE Orange MG
UNISPERSE Brown RB
UNISPERSE Red G
UNISPERSE Red 2BN
UNISPERSE Green GL
UNISPERSE Violet R
UNISPERSE Blue B

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 UNISPERSE
UNISPERSE Blue G

UNISPERSE Navy RT

UNISPERSE Black C

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.
Textile Effects

Tel/FAX +41 63 664 30/ 79 96

Eco - Certificate
Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.
Klybeckstrasse 141
CH-4002 Basel

Confirms that textiles printed with

Ciba UNISPERSE
The ecological choice

comply with the German Consumer Protection Act. They do not release through reductive
cleavage the MAKIII A1/III A2 amines listed therein.
The heavy metal contents in these dyes are below the internationally recognised “ETAD Heavy Metal
Limits”.
If applied according to our recommendations, the

Ciba UNISPERSE PIGMENTS

listed on the back will not cause printed CEL textiles to fall outside the specifications of the Oeko-Tex
standard 100 label for clothing in direct contact with skin.

Basel, 01.12.2001

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc. Basel

Dr. B. Büttler J. Inauen

Head PS&R Textile Effects PS&R Product Ecology

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 ALCOPRINT P system

A complete package for

pigment printing, for
performance, printability
and price.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Simple Printing System

Successful pigment printing systems are based

upon three equally important components:

• Pigment dispersions

• Binders

• Thickeners

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Limitations of Pigment Printing

• Dark coloured prints on woven and knitted goods made

of synthetic fibre blends can have limited durability to
washing and wear.

• The handle of dark coloured prints can be harsh due to

high amounts of binder and cross-linking agent.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Limitations of Pigment Printing

• When pigments are overprinted, the second paste has

little effect in determining the colour. ‘Fall-ons’ should
therefore be limited to outlines.

• No pigment print is completely fast to dry cleaning.

This depends upon the pigment and the binder but
prints can show rub marks and / or a loss in colour
depth.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Oil-in-Water vs. Fully Aqueous System
Component (g/kg) Oil-in Fully
Water Aqueous
Water Y Z
Ammonia - 5
Emulsifier 20 -
Kerosene 700 -
Binder 120 120
Diammonium phosphate 10 -
Pigment X X
Thickener - 13
1000 1000
It is possible to combine the two
systems and use a synthetic thickener
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects in a part emulsion system containing 10
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific – 50% kerosene.
Binders

• Binders are film-forming, long chain macromolecules.

• The binder film is a three-dimensional structure which

links the substrate and pigment.

• These links are formed during a dry heat process, where a

change in pH brings about self-crosslinking or a reaction
with external fixing agents.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Binders

• The degree of crosslinking should be controlled to

prevent the macromolecules becoming too rigidly bonded,
thus maintaining flexibility.

• Binders can be ‘tailor-made’ to meet the requirements of

the printer.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Calculation of Binder Requirements

• The ratio of binder to pigment is influenced by the fact that

even a small amount of pigment (e.g. 1g/kg) requires a
layer of binder film at least 5µm thick.

• This means that a minimum of 70g/kg binder (40% active)

should be used.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Calculation of Binder Requirements

• Additional pigment needs about 1.5 – 2 times its own mass

of binder.

• The quantity needed is generally calculated as follows:

X g/kg pigment requires 70 + 3X/2 binder (40%)

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Optimum Binder Levels

200
g/kg of 40% Active Binder

150

100

High Binder Level

50 Optimum Binder Level
Low Binder Level
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Pigment Concentration (g/kg)
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PB-HC : High Solids Binder
Characteristics
• Self cross-linking acrylic
polymer
• Tg -27°C
• Excellent shear stability
• High solids (48%)
• No double bonds in the
polymer
• Low free electrolyte content
• Excellent re-dispersibility
Benefits
• Lower dose rates than the
majority of binders
• Excellent fastness properties
and soft handle
• Good runnability
• Minimal effect on fabric
yellowing
• Minimal effect on thickener
consumption
• Minimum tendency to block
screens during prolonged
stoppages

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Binder Redispersibility

Competition Binder A Competition Binder B Alcoprint PB-HC

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Binder Runnability

Alcoprint
PB-HC

1st Rotation
After 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Restarting

Competition
Binder B

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Thickeners

• Natural thickeners are unsuitable for pigment printing

because they form brittle films and the resultant prints are
dull and flat with poor fastness and a harsh handle.

• Thickeners for pigment printing need to have

pseudoplastic (shear thinning) flow so that they transfer
on to the fabric easily but then recover to limit penetration
and ensure good definition.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Thickeners

• Oil-in-water emulsions are ideal because they leave no

residue on the fabric. The handle is not affected at all.
The evaporation enthalpy for white spirit is ~25% of that
for water, so drying of the fabric is quicker, improving
printing speeds.

• Environmental concerns mean that the use of such

thickening systems has met with opposition in many
countries and has been prohibited in some. Their use is
still common in many developing countries.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Synthetic Thickeners

• Synthetic thickeners based upon monomers

such as acrylic acid have been developed.

• These products have a high swelling power,

which is at a maximum at pH 9 – 10.

• Neutralisation, generally with ammonia, leads to

a thousand-fold expansion in volume and the
particles then have dimensions similar to those
of kerosene droplets in an oil-in water emulsion.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Synthetic Thickener vs. Oil-in-Water

Base

Dispersed Neutralised Kerosene

Polyacid Swollen in Water
pH 4 Polyacid pH 9 Emulsion

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Fixation Conditions

• The ammonia is removed during drying / curing of the

print and so the acidic conditions needed for the binder
to cross-link are produced.

• Ammonia is also needed:

• to ensure maximum thickening efficiency

• to prevent premature cross-linking of binder

• to prevent catalytic degradation of the thickener

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Fixation Conditions

• Printing pastes based on oil-in-water emulsions require

a latent acid catalyst such as diammonium phosphate to
give the acidic conditions required for fixation.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Relative Strength of Alcoprint Thickeners

Thickener Typical Working pH at Working

Concentration Concentration
(g/kg)

ALCOPRINT PTF 15 – 17 6

ALCOPRINT PTP 12 – 14 6

ALCOPRINT PT-XN
13 - 15 8
(pre-neutralised)

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Advantages of ALCOPRINT Thickeners

• Improved colour yield and brightness

• Better definition

• Smooth, level coverage of blotch areas

• Long shelf life

• Easy to handle

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Use of Stock and Reduction Thickenings
Component (g/kg) Stock Reduction
Thickening Thickening

Water X Y
Ammonia (25%) 5 5
ALCOPRINT PB-HC 200 70
ALCOPRINT PTP 15 11
1000 1000

The use of mixtures of the stocks above enables a linear

relationship between binder and pigment levels to be
achieved. For pale shades only the reduction thickening
is used and for heavy shades only the stock is required.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Further Considerations

• Improving fabric handle.

• Preventing foam problems.
• Improving print definition and electrolyte stability.
• Achieving required fastness properties.
• Avoiding gelling with carbon black pigments.
• Printing with poor quality pigments.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PFL

• When printing on synthetic fabrics or their blends, it is

necessary to use an external cross linking (fixing) agent
as the adhesion of the binder is less strong than with
cellulose substrates.

• It acts mainly as adhesive agent between the fabric and

binder but also contributes to the cross linking at the
surface of the binder film.

• Up to 10% on the weight of the binder is recommended.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PFL

• ALCOPRINT PFL offers significant improvements in

fastness properties.

• Its optimum reactivity gives improved print paste

stability and better runnability.

A formaldehyde free fixing agent is also

available – ALCOPRINT LFF.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Influence of ALCOPRINT PFL on Fastness
Fabric Wet Rub Dry Rub Wash
Fastness
50/50 T/C
No Fixing Agent 3 4 3/4
5g/kg ALCOPRINT PFL 3/4 4 4
15g/kg ALCOPRINT PFL 4 4/5 4/5
100% Cotton
No Fixing Agent 3 3 4
5g/kg ALCOPRINT PFL 3/4 3/4 4/5
15g/kg ALCOPRINT PFL 4 4 5
100% Polyester
No Fixing Agent 3 3/4 2
5g/kg ALCOPRINT PFL 3/4 4 3/4
15g/kg ALCOPRINT PFL 4 4/5 4/5

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Butadiene Binders

Butadiene binders are still used in some parts of Europe.

Some suppliers sell ready mixed blends, whilst others
market a ‘pure’ butadiene to be used in mixture with acrylic.
Major reasons for using such binders are:-

• Improved fastness to dry rubbing

• Reduced “chalking”

• Softer handle

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Butadiene Binders
ALCOPRINT PB55
offers all these advantages.
It should, however, be noted that the improvements
seen over soft acrylic binders such as
ALCOPRINT PB-HC are much smaller today than they
were in the past.

(Butadiene Binder could have a negative influence on

the light and altering fastness)

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Further Considerations
•Achieving required fastness properties.

• Improving fabric handle.

• Preventing foam problems.
• Improving print definition and electrolyte stability.
• Avoiding gelling with carbon black pigments.
• Printing with poor quality pigments.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PSC

• The interaction between the binder, thickener and

crosslinking agent can give prints with a harsh handle.
• Softeners are added to improve the feel of the fabrics.
• ALCOPRINT PSC is a combined softener and lubricant.
• Plasticizes the thickener / binder film giving a very soft
handle.
• Specially selected emulsifier system can improve blotch
cover and increase colour yield.
• No adverse effect on rubbing fastness.
• Very low smoking giving minimum emissions to atmosphere
during drying and curing.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Why is an Antifoam Important?

• The ALCOPRINT thickeners all contain approximately

30% hydrocarbon oil. This suppresses foam but
additional antifoam may be required.

• During stock make-up, foaming can be a problem

because of the surfactants in the binder. The foam
will collapse after thickener addition but becomes
entrapped in the paste.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Why is an Antifoam Important?

• Air bubbles build up in the print paste inside the

screen during printing. This effect can lead to various
printing problems (e.g.unlevelness, white lines etc.),
so an efficient de-aerating agent is required.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PA-NS
Characteristics Benefits

• Self dispersing • Can be added directly to formulations.

in cold water Not necessary to pre-dilute.
• Excellent shear • Stable during mixing and subsequent
stability printing operations without any loss
• Low viscosity of efficiency. Will not break down
liquid under shear so minimizing tendency
to cause spots or screen blockage
during printing.
• Easy handling. Suitable for dispensing
in automatic make-up units.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Relative Defoaming Properties
120
0 minutes
100 2 minutes Method: 100cm
3
Foam Volume (cm3)

80 5 minutes inverted 20 times.

60

40

20

0
120g/kg 5g/kg 5g/kg
Binder only ALCOPRINT Competition
PA-NS with Antifoam with
binder binder

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Further Considerations

• Achieving required fastness properties.

• Improving fabric handle.
• Preventing foam problems.
• Improving print definition and electrolyte stability.
• Avoiding gelling with carbon black pigments.
• Printing with poor quality pigments.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Forces Acting on a Printed Mark
Paste
Elasticity and
Gravity
Surface Tension
Capillarity
Electrolyte
Fabric thinning

Negative (Loss of Definition)

Gravity pulls the paste down and outwards

Capillarity pulls the paste down and sideway into the fabric
Electrolyte in the fabric thins the paste so that it cannot hold its
shape

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Forces Acting on a Printed Mark
Paste
Elasticity and
Gravity
Surface Tension
Capillarity
Electrolyte
Fabric thinning

Positive (Holding Definition)

Surface tension tries to minimise the surface and stop spreading

Elasticity of the paste tries to hold it in its original shape
Viscosity slows (but does not stop) any movement at all

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PT-RV
Novel Rheological Properties

• Gives prints with sharp outlines, edges etc. with excellent

levelness even on badly prepared or pre-resinated fabrics

• Good definition and coverage even at low viscosities

• Excellent wet-on-wet printing with high definition

• Minimum paste transfer with no reduction in coverage

and colour yield

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PT-RV

Stable to Electrolyte

• Can be used for pigment discharge of a reactive dye

ground

• Minimum viscosity reduction on addition of pigments and

other auxiliaries to stock thickenings. This eliminates the
need for back-thickening

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Influence of Thickener Rheology

Fabric
ALCOPRINT PTP Cross-section ALCOPRINT PT-RV

Reduced paste transfer

Print paste

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Estimation of Flushing Propensity
IMMEDIATELY AFTER 2 MINUTES

10°

Printed Unprinted Flushing

Area Area (MM)
Textile Effects
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Effect of Different Thickeners on Flushing
Fabric ALCOPRINT ALCOPRINT Competition
PTF PT-RV Thickener

Easy Cotton 0 0 0

Medium /
2 0 4
Difficult T/C

Difficult T/C 7 0 10

Extent of Flushing shown in mm. 2 minutes air

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects drying.
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Illustration of ALCOPRINT PT-RV
Fabric : Pre- resinated Polyester / Cotton
30g/kg Unisperse Blue G

15g/kg ALCOPRINT PT-RV 30g/kg Lutexal HIT 13g/kg ALCOPRINT PTP

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Stability to Electrolyte Addition
20000

15000
Viscosity (cP)

10000

5000 ALCOPRINT PT-RV

Conventional Thickener
0
0 10 20 30 40
g/kg NaCl Solution (2%) Added to Stock Containing
Binder and Thickener Only
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Stock Sensitivity to Pigment Additions
UNISPERSE PIGMENTS
25000
Initial Stock
20000 Viscosity - 20,000cP
Viscosity (cP)

15000

10000

5000

0
15g/kg ALCOPRINT PT-RV 32g/kg Lutexal HIT
50g/kg Black C 40g/kg Green GL 40g/kg Blue B
40g/kg Navy RT 40g/kg Violet R 40g/kg Red G
50g/kg Brown RB 40g/kg Orange MG 40g/kg Yellow M3G
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Rotary Screen Blade System

Conventional Thickener ALCOPRINT PT-RV

Screen

12
mm 8 mm

Paste
Fabric
High Viscosity Low Viscosity
Large blade 55mm Short blade 40mm
High Squeegee Pressure Low Squeegee Pressure
High Shear Thickener Low Shear Thickener
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Rotary Screen Rod System

Conventional Thickener ALCOPRINT PT-RV

Screen

12 mm
8 mm

Paste
Fabric
High Viscosity Low Viscosity
Big Rod Small Rod
High Magnetic Pressure Low Magnetic Pressure
High Shear Thickener Low Shear Thickener
Textile Effects
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Discharge Printing Recipe
Component g/kg

Water Y
Ammonia (25%) 5
Triethanolamine 3
ALCOPRINT PB-HC 100 – 150
ALCOPRINT PFL 15
Rongalit ST Liquid 80 – 150
ALCOPRINT PT-RV 25 – 40

1000

N.B. Zinc salts (e.g. Decrolin) cannot be

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
used with ALCOPRINT PT-RV.
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Discharge Printing Method

• Dye cotton with suitable dischargeable reactive dyes

• Print design using the pigment discharge paste
• Dry at 120ºC and then steam at 105°C for 8 minutes
• Cure at 160°C for 3 minutes to allow the binder to cross link.
• Wash off using 2-3 g/l Cibapon R at 50-60 ºC for 10 min.
• Reoxidize with hydrogen peroxide if necessary
• Cold rinse

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Example of Discharge Print

Face Back

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Achieving Excellent Fine Line Definition

• ALCOPRINT PT-RV gives excellent fine-line definition.

• An alternative approach, with less difficult fabrics is to

incorporate a small quantity of ALCOPRINT PTK into a
traditional print paste.

• ALCOPRINT PTK is a Rheology modifier which should be

used in conjunction with other ALCOPRINT thickeners to
give outstanding fine-line definition.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Achieving Excellent Fine Line Definition

• Additionally, it reduces the penetration and gives more of a

surface print, which can improve coverage.

• Being water based, it releases no hydrocarbon emissions

during drying and curing.

• 2.5 – 5g/kg should be added, with high shear stirring, to an

alkaline stock prior to the addition of the primary thickener.
Higher application levels offer no further benefit and can
impair fastness.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Further Considerations

• Achieving required fastness properties.

• Improving fabric handle.
• Preventing foam problems.
• Improving print definition and electrolyte stability.
• Avoiding gelling with carbon black pigments.
• Printing with poor quality pigments.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Gelling with Black Pigments

• Addition of most pigments to a stock will cause

some reduction in viscosity. Cheap carbon black
pigments can give the opposite effect and lead to
the formation of unprintable ‘gel’.

• ALCOPRINT PDN can prevent gelling with most

black pigments by using 5 – 10g/kg in the stock
prior to pigment addition.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Gelling with Black Pigments

• UNISPERSE BLACK C does not cause gelling

when added to ALCOPRINT stocks.

• With some very poor quality black pigments an

alternative approach is required. Flushing is often
an additional problem.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 ALCOPRINT System for Overcoming
Gelling and Flushing

10g/kg ALCOPRINT PT-RV

12g/kg Appoloprint APP
5g/kg ALCOPRINT PDN
Paste Viscosity >80,000cP
Paste Viscosity 27,000cP
‘gelled paste’
‘smooth paste’

32g/kg Lutexal HIT 14g/kg Novaprint CL

Paste Viscosity >80,000cP Paste Viscosity 40,000cP
‘gelled paste’ ‘gelled paste’

Stock Viscosity 20,000cP (70dPas)

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing 50g/kg Pigment Black SC added to
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific each stock.
Overcoming Gelling with Carbon
Black Pigments

32g/kg Lutexal HIT 10g/kg ALCOPRINT PT-RV

5g/kg ALCOPRINT PDN

50g/kg Polimo Black FB

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Further Considerations

• Improving fabric handle.

• Preventing foam problems.
• Improving print definition and electrolyte
stability.
• Avoiding gelling with carbon black pigments.
• Printing with poor quality pigments.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Pigment Aggregation
• A pigment print paste is a complex mixture of different particles, all
with their own surfactants to keep them dispersed.

• The surfactant in some poor quality pigments can be easily

stripped away. (This does not occur with good quality pigments
such as the Unisperse range).

• The pigment particles then stick together and this aggregation will
cause screen staining, ultimately leading to screen blockage.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Pigment Aggregation

• ALCOPRINT PD-ER reinforces the dispersing system in the

pigments. It prevents aggregation and therefore reduces the risk
of screen blockage.

• 3 - 5 g/kg should be added to the stock prior to pigment addition.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PD-ER

The effect can be reproduced in a simple laboratory ‘beaker staining’ test.

Poor quality pigment, thickener and water are stirred at high shear.
The beaker is then washed out.
A good dispersion leaves virtually no staining.
However, if the dispersion is poor, the pigment particles aggregate and are thrown
onto the sides of the beaker.
The film that forms opposite the stirrer head cannot be washed out with water.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
ALCOPRINT PD-ER

The following test shows the result of incorporating increasing quantities of

Alcoprint PD-ER into a paste containing a poor quality pigment.

0 g/kg 2.5 g/kg 5 g/kg

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Typical Printing Recipes
Component (g/kg) Knitted 50/50 T/C Difficult 70/30
Cotton (Dress (Furnishing T/C (Sheeting)
Goods) Fabric)
Water X Y Z
Ammonia (25%) 5 5 5
ALCOPRINT PA-NS 2 2 2
ALCOPRINT PB-HC 60 - 150 60 - 150 60 - 150
ALCOPRINT PFL 0 - 10 10 - 20 10 - 20
ALCOPRINT PSC 5 - 20 - 0 - 10
ALCOPRINT PTP 12 - 14 12 - 14 0 - 14
ALCOPRINT PT-RV - - 15
1000 1000 1000

Up to 5g/kg ALCOPRINT PD-ER should be

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
added when using poor quality pigments.
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Product Summary
Thickeners
ALCOPRINT PTP Thickener for the majority of applications, 25%
stronger than ALCOPRINT PTF.

ALCOPRINT PTF Thickener for the majority of applications.

ALCOPRINT PT-XN Pre-neutralised version of ALCOPRINT PTP.

ALCOPRINT PT-RV Gives excellent definition, eliminates flushing
and is stable to electrolyte.

Rheology Modifier

ALCOPRINT PTK Rheology modifier to achieve outstanding fine

line definition and reduce gelling with black
pigments.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Product Summary
Binders
ALCOPRINT PB-HC Acrylic binder for all routine applications.

ALCOPRINT PB55 Butadiene-based binder to give improved dry

rubbing fastness on heavy shades.

Fixers
ALCOPRINT PFL External cross-linking agent for improving the
fastness of pigment prints.

ALCOPRINT LFF Formaldehyde free cross-linking agent.

Softener
ALCOPRINT PSC Combined softener and lubricant.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Product Summary

Other Auxiliaries

ALCOPRINT PD-ER Dispersant / emulsifier for use with poor quality

pigments.

ALCOPRINT PDN Dispersant for use with titanium dioxide and

poor quality black pigments. Controlled
viscosity reduction of printing pastes.

ALCOPRINT PA-NS Antifoam for pigment printing. Prevents the

build up of foam during paste preparation and
air bubbles during subsequent printing.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Benefits of the ALCOPRINT P System

Liquid Dispersion Polymers - These lie at the heart of

the system and offer significant advantages in terms
of paste make-up, storage stability, ease of use etc.

Versatility - A complete range of products enables

printing pastes with a wide range of different
properties to be made.

Simplicity - In many cases, the only components

required are thickener, binder and fixing agent.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Benefits of the ALCOPRINT P System

Excellent Colour Yield and Fine Line Definition -

Generally superior results to thickeners based upon
Carbopol.

Possibility of Printing Discharge Styles - Almost all

competition thickeners are totally unsuitable for this
application.

First Class Runnability - One of the key features of the

ALCOPRINT system is its ability to print many tens of
thousands of metres without blockage of screens.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Printing camouflage.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
Choice of products

• UNISPERSE pigments, free choice coloristically, but take care

for light or solvent fastness

• ALCOPRINT system, free choice but high binder and cross-linker

to ensure best possible fastness levels.

• Infra-red reflectance, here the choice of pigments is critical,

depending on country specific requirements, Basel can assist by
providing matchings that meet IRR as well as visible and
fastness needs.

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
IR Reflectance of natural environment
60

50
dandelion
40

30 silver fire needles

20

limetree leaf
10

0
300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
IR Reflectance of natural environment

60

50

40

30
dry sand
20
wet sand
10

tilled soil
0
300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200

Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Individual countries have specific
green shades with specific IRR
60

50
United Kingdom

40

Germany
30

20

Switzerland
10

0
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific
 Individual countries have specific
Brown shades with specific IRR
60

50

Norway
40

30 United Kingdom

20

Germany
10

0
Textile
TextileEffects
Effects
700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
RTC Printing
RTC Printing
Asia / Pacific
Asia / Pacific