Polyester and polyurethane transfer printing: a textile technology that combines elastic fabrics with three-dimensional printing
Polyester and spandex transfer printing is a high-end textile processing method that combines transfer weaving technology and printing technology and is applied to polyester and spandex blended fabrics. The core relies on the elasticity advantages of polyester and spandex fabrics and the three-dimensional texture of the loop transfer process, and then imparts color and pattern through printing. It combines elasticity, three-dimensionality and design. It is one of the mainstream processes in the field of knitted apparel.
Polyester and spandex blended fabric is the core carrier of the process. The raw material is mainly polyester fiber (polyester), and is blended with 5%-20% spandex. The polyester ensures the stiffness, wear resistance and wrinkle resistance of the fabric, while the spandex gives the fabric excellent elasticity and resilience. The tensile rebound rate can reach 150%-300%, and it is not easy to deform. After knitting and weaving, the fabric has a light, soft texture and good air permeability. The weight is usually between 120-300g/㎡, and the width is usually 150-180cm. It is a high-quality material for making close-fitting clothing and sportswear. It also provides a good material foundation for stitch transfer and printing processes.
The loop transfer process is the core feature of this fabric. It is a special technique in knitting and weaving. By adjusting the needle bed movement of the knitting machine, the loops are transferred and reorganized between different needle positions, forming concave and convex three-dimensional textures on the surface of the fabric, such as stripes, jacquards, mesh, wavy patterns, etc., which are different from ordinary plain knitted fabrics. The three-dimensional structure of the transfer texture not only improves the visual level of the fabric, but also adds breathable channels, making the fabric elastic while having better breathability and comfort.
The printing process needs to adapt to the elasticity and three-dimensional texture of polyester-span transfer fabrics. The mainstream uses thermal transfer printing and reactive digital printing: thermal transfer printing has bright and saturated colors and excellent color fastness. The color fastness to dry rubbing reaches level 4-5, and the color fastness to wet rubbing is 3-4. Level, the dye can penetrate into the inside of the coil, tightly combine with the elastic fiber, and is not easy to fall off, suitable for large-area patterns and gradient color designs; reactive digital printing has higher precision, can restore fine cartoon and flower patterns, and the process is environmentally friendly, without wastewater pollution, and conforms to the green development concept of modern textiles.
The production process needs to strictly control the connection of all links. The core steps are: first make yarn from polyester-spandex blended yarn, and then transfer knitting to form a basic fabric with a three-dimensional texture; then perform pre-processing to remove impurities and shape it to improve the flatness and dye adsorption of the fabric; then complete printing and color-fixing processing according to design requirements, control temperature and pressure to avoid high temperature damage to the elasticity of spandex; and finally post-finishing, through pre-shrinking and softening, to restore the elasticity and softness of the fabric, and check the integrity of the texture and pattern.
Polyester-span transfer printing fabrics are mainly used in the field of apparel, such as underwear, yoga wear, sports T-shirts, dresses, children's clothing, etc. The combination of elasticity and three-dimensional texture not only meets the comfort and fit of wearing, but also enhances fashion sense through printing. During maintenance, it is recommended to gently hand wash with neutral detergent. The water temperature should be controlled below 30°C. Avoid vigorous rubbing and exposure to the sun. Do not dry at high temperatures to prevent the spandex from aging and losing elasticity. The printed area should also be protected from scratches with sharp objects.
