Evaluation of Image Quality of Inkjet Printing on the Spun Polyester Fabrics

Abstract

This paper addresses the factors hindering the image quality of lines in inkjet printed on polyester fabric as printing media. Lines were printed onto different types of polyester fabrics in warp and filling directions. Line image quality including line width, edge blurriness, and edge raggedness was assessed. The effect of capillary wicking on line image quality of printed spun polyester fabric is discussed. The factors on the image quality include printing position(top of the yarn or between the yarn), printing direction(warp or filling), yarn structures(filament or spun), thread size(yarn or fiber), finishing, and ink properties(evaporation rate). More than 30% differences in image quality results were observed by changing the printing location on the spun polyester fabric. The best results of the image quality were obtained with the printed plain and spun polyester fabrics. The fiber sizes may affect capillary size; therefore, the image quality can be dissimilar. Types of finishing materials and inks greatly improve the line image quality on spun polyester fabrics.