Xerographic printing on textiles

Textile printing systems are needed that will meet the requirements of time-driven, demand activated manufacturing. Xerography has the potential of meeting these requirements, but textile-specific xerographic toners must be developed in order to gain acceptance of this technology by the textile industry. One thermoplastic and three thermoset based toners were evaluated for xerographic printing on fabrics. The toners were successfully applied to the fabric using xerography, and the textile print properties were compared with commercial rotary screen and hand screen printed fabrics. Colorfastness to both dry and wet crocking (rubbing) was measured. Wet and dry friction properties of the printed fabrics were studied in an effort explain the crocking results. Modes of failure of the prints, based on surface morphological studies, are proposed. Fabric flexibility, a key component of fabric hand, was measured. Toner type significantly affected flexibility for the lighter weight fabric, but had little effect for the heavier weight fabric.