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What Are Acid Inks for Digital Textile Printing and Why Are They Used?

With the growing interest in and functionality of pigment inks for digital textile printing, you might wonder why one would still use acid inks. Textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan explains.

Thursday, June 03, 2021

(Image courtesy of Texintel.)

With outstanding color brilliance, lightfastness, and washfastness, acid inks are a firm favorite for high-quality inkjet printing and are used by the top-end fashion apparel industry for the printing of delicate silks, soft cashmeres, and colorful sports and swimwear.

Acid inks are often used when the product requires the ink to penetrate through to the reverse side of the material, and the process delivers a high print quality resembling the “push through” of a traditional rotary or flatbed printing process. Acid inks are also known for their vibrant colors and are used specifically when printing fabrics such as wool, nylon, leather, and silk that do not retain color easily.


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About Debbie McKeegan

Debbie McKeegan is the CEO of TexIntel. As a multi-disciplinary creative and renowned digital print pioneer, she holds over 25 years’ experience within the Textile manufacturing industry. An award winning Textile designer, and lifetime manufacturer of printed products for Fashion and Interiors, she has a unique insight that combines creativity with a deep knowledge of traditional manufacturing process and the essential application of disruptive digital technologies.

TexIntel is an Expert Resource that provides independent, authoritative, realtime advice to some of the most innovative creatives and emerging companies in the Home Decor, Fashion, Manufacturing, Digital Print, and Textile Technology Industries. https://www.texintel.com

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