Pigment-Dye

Where Pigments Are Used in Textiles

Textile pigments are widely used in:

• Pigment printing (most common)
• Pigment dyeing
• Garment dyeing
• Denim finishing (over‑dye, tint, vintage looks)
• Blended fabrics (cotton/polyester, tri‑blends)
• Fast fashion programs (short lead time)

Types of Textile Pigments

1. Organic Pigments

• Bright shades
• High tinctorial strength
• Good transparency
• Lower heat stability than inorganic pigments

Examples:

• Phthalocyanine blue & green
• Azo pigments
• Quinacridone red

2. Inorganic Pigments

• Dull but strong colors
• Excellent light & heat fastness
• Higher opacity

Examples:

• Titanium dioxide (white)
• Carbon black
• Iron oxide pigments

Components of a Pigment System

Pigment coloration always works as a system, not alone.

1. Pigment

• Provides color
• Insoluble in water

2. Binder (Most Important)

• Forms a film that binds pigment to fabric
• Determines wash, rub and abrasion fastness
• Usually acrylic, styrene‑butadiene or polyurethane based

3. Fixer / Crosslinker

• Improves durability of binder film
• Enhances fastness

4. Thickener

• Controls viscosity
• Essential in printing

5. Softener

• Improves hand feel
• Reduces stiffness caused by binder

Pigment Application Methods

1. Pigment Printing (Most Common)

Process Steps:

1. Fabric preparation (light scouring)
2. Preparation of print paste (pigment + binder + thickener)
3. Printing (flat bed / rotary / digital)
4. Drying
5. Curing (critical step)

Curing Conditions:

• Temperature: 150–170°C
• Time: 2–5 minutes

Without proper curing, pigment fastness will fail.

2. Pigment Dyeing (Piece Dyeing)

Process:

1. Pigment exhaustion or padding
2. Binder application
3. Drying
4. Curing

Used for:

• Garment dyeing
• Fashion effects
• Vintage and washed looks

3. Garment Pigment Dyeing

Features:

• Small lot flexibility
• Fashion appearance
• Uneven, washed look (intentional)

Limitations:

• Lower fastness
• Hand feel issues
• Shade reproducibility challenges

Advantages of Textile Pigments

✅ Universal Application

• Works on all fibers:
  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Nylon
  • Blends

✅ Simple Process

• No complex dye–fiber chemistry
• No salt or alkali required

✅ Water & Energy Saving

• No extensive washing‑off
• Lower effluent load

✅ Short Lead Time

• Ideal for fast fashion
• Easy shade matching

✅ Excellent Print Sharpness

• High color yield on surface
• Good for detailed designs

Limitations of Pigment Coloration

❌ Poor Penetration

• Color remains on surface
• Not suitable for deep solid dyeing

❌ Hand Feel Issues

• Fabric becomes stiff without proper softening

❌ Lower Fastness vs Reactive/Vat

• Especially rubbing and abrasion fastness

❌ Shade Dulling Over Time

• Binder film degradation
• Color loss after repeated washing

Color Fastness of Pigments (Typical)

                   (Highly dependent on binder quality and curing conditions)