Article No : o26_o10

Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries

VOLKER GIESEN, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany
REINHARD SCHNEIDER, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany

1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 133 3.4. Auxiliaries for Discharge Printing . . . . . . . . 138

2. Auxiliaries for Pigment Printing . . . ..... . 133 3.5. Fixation Auxiliaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
2.1. Thickening Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 134 3.6. Dye Solubilizing and Dispersing Agents. . . . 139
2.2. Pigment Printing Binders . . . . . . . . ..... . 134 3.7. Auxiliaries for Reactive Resist Printing . . . . 139
2.3. Fixing Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 135 3.8. Auxiliaries for Burn-out Printing . . . . . . . . 139
2.4. Hand Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 135 3.9. Aftertreatment Agents and Detergents . . . . 140
2.5. Emulsifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 135 4. Other Auxiliaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
2.6. Other Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 135 5. Textile Printing Adhesives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
3. Auxiliaries for Dye Printing. . . . . . . ..... . 136 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
3.1. Thickening Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 136
3.2. Oxidizing Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 136
3.3. Reducing and Discharging Agents . ..... . 136

1. Introduction abling more demanding design requirements to

Textile printing auxiliaries are defined as the
noncoloring products used at all stages of the
printing process from preparation to the final
wash [1]. The pronounced diversification of this
product group is a consequence of the application
of different dye classes [2].
In principle a distinction can be made between
printing processes based on pigments, which
have no affinity to the fiber, and dyes (reactive,
vat, disperse, and others), which have such an
affinity. The essential auxiliaries for pigment
printing are necessary to adhere the pigments
permanently to the fiber; they remain on the fiber
and give colorfastness. In the case of dyes with an
affinity for the fiber, the auxiliaries are generally
removed from the fabric in a final wash.
Unlike other printing techniques pigments can
be used on almost all types of textile substrates
[3]. It is therefore not surprising that almost 50 %
of the world’s printed textiles (ca. 19
109 m/a
in the early 1990s) are produced by this process
[4].
The advantages of the application of other dye
classes in printing are especially noticeable in
higher fastnesses, improved handle, and in en-
be met.
2. Auxiliaries for Pigment Printing
The idea that ‘‘cheap’’ pigment printing is syn-
onymous with poor quality is today completely
unfounded. High-quality pigment printing has
now become established as the method of choice
for such articles as home textiles, sheeting, ap-
parel, and many others. The great variety of
effects from this printing technique (direct print-
ing with pearlescents, spangles etc.; matt-white
and matt- colored printing on a colored ground
fabric, three-dimensional printing, etc. [5]) en-
ables rapid response to fashion trends.
At least in industrialized countries, it is cur-
rent standard practice to use solvent-free recipes,
which, for environmental, safety and cost rea-
sons, have replaced formulations containing sol-
vents, however, these are still used in other parts
of the world [3].
The recipes contain the thickening system, a
binder and, if necessary, other auxiliaries (fixing
agents, hand modifiers etc.), which are used
either to ensure a problem-free production

2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

DOI: 10.1002/14356007.o26_o10
134 Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries Vol. 36

process or to meet the required functional prop-
erties of the finished pigment printed article.
2.1. Thickening Agents
The choice of the thickening agent determines
the rheology of the print paste, and hence affects
the results of the printing process in many ways.
The thickening system has a considerable influ-
ence on the printing result as characterized by
evenness, sharpness of outlines, color strength,
and brillance, as well as on handfastnesses, con-
sumption of print paste, and running properties.
Synthetic thickeners are widely used today in
preference to white spirit- containing emulsion
thickenings, which contain up to 700 g white
spirit per kilogram print paste. During condensa-
tion ammonia is liberated, and the polymer is
converted to the acid form, generating the slight-
ly acidic pH necessary for cross-linking of the
binder and, if used, the fixing agent.
The most commonly used pigment printing
thickening agents are liquid, easily pourable
preparations of synthetic polymers in a mineral
oil. They can be aqueous formulations, complete-
ly neutralized with ammonia and with a solids
content of ca. 25 %, or anhydrous, partially neu-
tralized products with a solids content up to 60 %.
The latter require the addition of a predetermined
amount of ammonia to the print paste. In Europe
and North America, completely solvent free
granulated solid products are also gaining in
importance. With these, pigment printing can be
a practically emission-free process.
The amount used depends on the amount of
pigment and the textile substrate, and usually
varies within the range 50 – 150 g per kilogram
of print paste.
The surface active substances needed to pro-
duce a stable dispersion are responsible for the
compatibility of the binder with the other com-
ponents of the print paste.
The fastness, i.e., the resistance of the binder
film to mechanical stress and its swelling tenden-
cy in water and organic solvents, must be in-
creased to an acceptable level by the cross-link-
ing reaction of the binder. Whereas the older
types of cross-linkable binders reacted with sep-
arate fixing agents during the condensation pro-
cess (hot air at 150  C), self- cross-linking bin-
ders are now well established. These contain
reactive groups, usually from copolymerization
with monomers such as N-methylolacrylamide or
similar compounds. Three-dimensional cross-
linking of the binder film can then be achieved
by acid catalysis under the usual condensation
conditions [6].
Binder films based on butadiene can age by
the action of light and oxygen, i.e., they can
become yellow, and their fastness properties can
deteriorate. Butadiene binders are therefore not
recommended for pigment printed textiles that
are continuously exposed to light (curtains, awn-
ings, etc.) [7].
Some commercially available products are
listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Some commercially available auxiliaries for pigment
printing

2.2. Pigment Printing Binders Product Composition Producer

Thickeners (based on acrylic acid copolymers)

The binders used in pigment printing are poly- Acraconz BN liquid Bayer
mers that form clear, colorless, and relatively soft Alcoprint PTF liquid Allied Colloids
films, and have very little effect on color shades Lutexal HEF liquid BASF
Lutexal P granules BASF
and handle. The binder film should coat the Polymerconcentrate 475 liquid Morton Intern.
pigment and provide physical adhesion to the Texipol 67–5028 liquid Scott Bader
substrate, and so protect the printed pigments Self-cross-linking binders
from mechanical abrasion (rubbing fastness, Acramin ALW acrylate Bayer
Acramin BA butadiene Bayer
washing fastness, etc.). The thickness of the film Binder ACM acrylate Minerva
is ca. 10 mm. Helizarin Binder ET acrylate BASF
Commercially available binders are aqueous Helizarin Binder TW acrylate BASF
dispersions of polymers (mainly based on acrylic Helizarin Binder UD acrylate BASF
Imperon Binder MTB vinyl acetate Hoechst
esters, butadiene, and, less commonly, vinyl Polybinder HS 359 acrylate Morton Intern.
acetate) with solids contents of ca. 40 – 50 %.
Vol. 36
2.3. Fixing Agents
The level of the wetfastnesses (wet rubbing,
home laundry, etc.) achievable simply by the
use of a binder is often inadequate for many
purposes, especially on smooth fibers such as
polyester. A significant improvement in fastness
is obtained by the use of an additional fixing
agent that strengthens the three-dimensional
network of the binder film [6]. However, this
has a certain disadvantageous effect on the
hand.
Melamine – formaldehyde condensates
etherified with methanol has proven to be espe-
cially suitable, as their reactive groups take part
in a cross-linking reaction under the same con-
densation conditions as those of the self- cross-
linking binders.
However, these substances are also the main
source of formaldehyde emitted by pigment-
printed fabrics [8]. The various limit values
imposed today, whether by official regulations,
by clothing manufacturers, or by consumer-ori-
ented eco-labels, can be complied with by using
modern, modified low-formaldehyde fixing
agents of similar chemical type.
Some commercially available products are
Acrafix MF (Bayer), Helizarin Fixierer S, Heli-
zarin Fixierer LF (BASF), and Tubiprint Fixierer
R (CHT).
Alternative fixing agents of different chemical
bases such as aziridines or isocyanates are occa-
sionally used, but these should be treated with
circumspection as experience of their use is
limited, and toxicological hazards cannot be
excluded.
2.4. Hand Modifiers
Hand modifiers are of two types: silicones and
fatty acid esters.
The silicones, mainly poly(dimethylsilox-
anes), significantly improve the dry rubbing fast-
ness without decreasing the wetfastness. Used in
conjunction with fixing agents, these substances
make it possible to produce high-quality pigment
printed materials. As well as improving the dry
rubbing fastness, the poly(dimethylsiloxanes)
give a smooth, dry hand to the fabric, which may
be necessary if very soft binders with a somewhat
sticky hand are applied.
Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries 135
‘‘True’’ softeners such as dioctyl phthalate
and fatty acid esters cause the binder film to be
more mobile. This results in a considerably softer
hand. Also, effects on the brillance and color
strength (mainly positive) and on the fastness
(negative, if too much is used) may be noticeable.
Some commercially available products are Ac-
ramin Weichmacher SI (Bayer), Luprimol SIG,
and Luprimol CW (BASF).
2.5. Emulsifiers
In high- and low-solvent pigment printing, the
emulsifier stablizes the solvent (i.e. white spirit)
as an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion, which func-
tions as a thickened paste with the appropriate
rheology. Water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions are now-
adays very seldom used. In solvent-free pigment
printing, the main tasks of the emulsifier are to
prevent agglomeration of the pigment, screen
blocking, and separation of components of the
print paste. At the same time, the fastness prop-
erties and the surface printing must not be affect-
ed, as sometimes happens with simple wetting
agents.
The aryl- and alkyl-substituted polyglycol
ethers are suitable substances, giving a reliable
pigment printing process with both solvent- con-
taining and solvent-free recipes. The ethylene
oxide and propylene oxide derivatives of various
alcohols are also used to overcome special pro-
blems, e.g., to improve wetting properties, clean-
ing properties, etc. Some commercially available
products are Emulgator W (Bayer), Luprintol
PE New and Luprintol MP (BASF), and Solegal
W (Hoechst).
2.6. Other Additives
Antifoaming Agents are discussed in
Chapter 41.
Acid Donors are used in solvent-based print-
ing to obtain the acid pH required for the fixation.
They consist of ammonia salts of inorganic acids
(e.g., diammonium phosphate).
Compounds are mixtures of several pigment
printing additives, and are used to simplify print
recipes.
136 Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries
3. Auxiliaries for Dye Printing
3.1. Thickening Agents (! Textile
Printing, Chap. 4)
Natural thickening agents, both unmodified and
chemically modified, are today widely used in
printing with dyes, and have largeley replaced
emulsion thickenings based on white spirit.
Etherified or carboxymethylated starches are
often used for printing with disperse dyes, and
alginates for reactive printing [9]. More recently,
synthetic polycarboxylates, specially developed
for reactive printing, have become established.
These have improved dye fixation yields [4a] and
are easy to use, swelling rapidly in water, and
having good resistance to bacterial attack.
Advantages of the alginates include ease of
removal in the after-wash, resulting in a printed
fabric with a soft hand, and also low sensitivity of
the thickening effect towards electrolytes in the
print paste.
3.2. Oxidizing Agents
Sodium m-Nitrobenzenesulfonate. In di-
rect reactive printing on cellulose fiber, the addi-
tion of sodium m-nitrobenzenesulfonate to the
print paste limits harmful effects due to chemical
reduction of the reactive dyes by the natural
thickening agents and by the fabric itself. This
oxidizing agent thus promotes smooth and prob-
lem-free printing [10]. Sodium m-nitrobenzene-
sulfonate is also used in combination with natural
thickening agents in direct disperse printing on
acetate, triacetate, and polyester fibers [11]. It is
not recommended for use with polyamide fibers
as yellowing can occur.
In the discharge printing of vat dyes on sub-
stantive or reactive predyed fabrics, the ground
colour can be reductively damaged, both in the
printed and unprinted areas. Even traces of print
paste containing the reducing-agent, carried
from the already printed areas onto the ground
color during printing, steaming, or storage of the
fabric are sufficient to such damage. To prevent
this undesired effect the predyed fabric can be
impregnated with a solution of sodium m-nitro-
benzenesulfonate before printing [1, p. 676].
Some commercially available products are Lu-
digol, Ludigol granules, and Ludigol liquid
Vol. 36
(BASF), Matexil PA-L (ICI), and Rapidoprint
UL 22 (CHT).
Sodium Chlorate is used only occasionally
to prevent reductive dye decomposition when
printing disperse dyes.
Hydrogen Peroxide is used as in dyeing to
reoxidize printed vat dyes [12].
3.3. Reducing and Discharging Agents
[13]
In textile printing, reducing agents with a wide
range of reducing power are needed. They are
used for the fixation of vat dyes in direct and
discharge printing, for discharge printing on
natural and synthetic fibers, and for afterclearing
of printed polyester fibers. Sodium dithionite is
used in many applications, but for certain print-
ing processes and equipment the reducing agent
must be very stable towards atmospheric oxygen,
and in these cases the alkali metal salts of the
sulfinic acids are preferable. Some commercial
products are listed in Table 2.
Sodium Dithionite, Na2S2O4 is usually
known in textile finishing as ‘‘hydrosulfite’’. It
is widely used for the reductive clearing of
polyester fibers printed with disperse dyes
[14]. Hydrosulfite is a strong reducing agent with
limited stability towards atmospheric oxygen. It
is therefore unsuitable for direct printing with vat
dyes, as severe losses of the reducing agent in the
print paste and premature vatting of the dye
Table 2. Some commercially reducing and discharging agents
Trade name Composition Producer
Hydrosulfite conc. sodium dithionite BASF
Rongalit 2 PH-A sulfinic acid derivative BASF
Rongalit 2 PH-B sulfonic acid derivative BASF
liquid
Rongalit C sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate BASF
Rongalit FD liquid sodium salt of a sulfinic acid BASF
derivative
Rongalit ST liquid sodium salt of a sulfinic acid BASF
derivative
Decrolin zinc hydroxymethanesulfinate BASF
Rongalit DP stabilized sulfinic acid derivative BASF
Reduktionsmittel F formamidinesulfinic acid Degussa
Vol. 36
would occur. It can, however, be used in two-
phase printing [14, 15].
Rongalit 2 PH-A/Rongalit 2 PH-B Liquid
is a combination of reducing agents especially
intended for two-phase printing with vat dyes
[16]. In this process, the reducing agent is not
printed directly with the dyes, but is subsequently
applied to the fabric together with sodium hydrox-
ide by an additional padding process. In the second
phase the dye is then fixed by steaming (ca. 20 –
40 s) in a flash ager with exclusion of air. Cold
solutions of Rongalit 2 PH-A and Rongalit 2 PH-
B liquid with sodium hyroxide are less sensitive to
atmospheric oxygen than hydrosulfite solutions,
and are therefore significantly more stable. Unlike
hydrosulfite, the pad liquor of the combination
product with sodium hydroxide does not cause
premature vatting after padding, and hence does
not lead to running of the printed vat dye. The ease
of reoxidation of the printed fabric and the rela-
tively low level of impurities in the used wash
liquor give improved operational safety.
Sodium Hydroxymethanesulfinate, sodi-
um formaldehydesulfoxylate, HOCH2SO2Na 
H2O, Rongalit C, is appreciably more stable in
alkaline solution than hydrosulfite or the Ronga-
lit 2 PH-A/2 PH-B liquid combination. It is used
for printing cellulose fibers by various methods.
It can be used in direct printing or two-phase
printing with vat dyes [16]. Because the steaming
time is considerably longer (ca. 4 – 6 min) com-
pared with Rongalit 2 PH-A/2 PH-B liquid
(20 – 40 s), it is only used in a two-phase process
if the ager does not allow rapid dye fixation. The
most important application of sodium formalde-
hydesulfoxylate is in discharge printing [14].
Reactive dyes, and to a lesser extent naphthol
and direct dyes, are used to produce the discharge
ground.
In color discharge printing, the process must
be carried out so that no decomposition of the
reducing agent occurs before the dye is fixed by
steaming. Great care must be taken to exclude
moisture on storage and oxygen during steaming
[17]. For white discharge printing, further aux-
iliaries are added to ensure a pure white discharge
effect.
Rongalit FD Liquid, a sodium sulfoxylate
stabilized with formaldehyde and ammonia, is
Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries 137
more stable than sodium formaldehydesulfoxy-
late. It is used as a reducing agent for direct
printing with vat dyes [16]. The improved stabil-
ity of the printed fabric before steaming is espe-
cially important for screen printing on tables. The
higher stability requires a longer steaming time
(ca. 15 – 20 min). Optimum color yields are
obtained by using steam at a higher pressure
(1.5 bar, 12 – 15 min).
Rongalit ST Liquid is also a sodium sul-
foxylate stabilized with formaldehyde and am-
monia that is even more stable than Rongalit FD
liquid. It is used as a reducing agent in pigment
discharge printing. Pigment print pastes which
contain Rongalit ST liquid in a slightly alkaline
solution are applied to substantive or reactive
predyed cellulose fabrics. The decomposition of
the ground color takes place during steaming of
the printed fabric. A careful choice of the dyes is
necessary for this process.
Zinc Hydroxymethanesulfinate, zinc for-
maldehydesulfoxylate, (HOCH2SO2)2Zn in
aqueous solution has a slightly acid reaction and
is stable for several days. Zinc formaldehydesul-
foxylate, unlike the sodium salt, is therefore
suitable for discharge printing in weakly acid
media. Applications are:
1. White and colored discharge printing on ace-
tate, triacetate, polyester, polyamide, wool,
and silk [18, 19]. Only a limited number of
discharge-resistant dyes are suitable for print-
ing colored effects.
2. Color discharge printing with pigments on
cellulose fibers [20], mainly on substantively
dyed grounds.
Rongalit DP is a stabilized sulfoxylic acid
derivative that is suitable for discharge printing
on polyester [18]. It is mainly used for color
discharge resist printing, whereby discharge-
resistant disperse dyes are printed together with
Rongalit DP. Discharge grounds are unfixed
prints or pad dyeings made with dischargeable
disperse dyes that are only fixed during print-
ing. On light and medium grounds, white dis-
charge resist printing is also possible, but on
dark grounds, zinc formaldehydesulfoxylate
should be used, because it results in a purer
white effect.
138 Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries
Formamidinesulfinic Acid, thiourea diox-
ide, THDO, is relatively stable in acid solution
and unstable in alkaline solution. THDO can
therefore be used for printing with vat dyes on
wool, silk, acetate, and synthetic fibers. Since the
application process takes place in the acid range,
the dye is absorbed by the fiber in the form of the
vat acid [1, p. 789]. THDO can also be used for
color discharge printing with vat dyes on acetate
fabrics. This product is now mainly used for the
reductive afterclearing of dyed and printed poly-
ester materials.
Tin(II) Chloride has several disadvantages,
in particular corrosion of the steamer by hydro-
chloric acid which is liberated during the dis-
charge process. This reducing agent is therefore
only used in special applications [18], e.g., for
colored discharge printing on polyacrylonitrile
fibers. In this process tin(II) chloride cannot be
replaced by any other discharging agent [21].
3.4. Auxiliaries for Discharge Printing
In discharge printing, auxiliaries are used in
addition to the discharge agents. They are not
able to decompose the ground dye by themselves,
but improve the discharging effect and/or facili-
tate the fixation of the printed dye used for the
colored effet. Auxiliaries especially used in dis-
charge printing include:
Sulfonated Dimethylphenylbenzylammo-
nium Salt. This benzylating agent, which is
sulfonated in both aromatic rings, enables white
discharge prints of indigo and certain vat dyes
[17]. The dye, after reduction by Rongalit C, is
converted by benzylation into a water-soluble,
oxidation-resistant derivative that can easily be
washed out [1, pp. 532, 683, 790]. A typical
commercial product is Leukotrop W (BASF).
Anthraquinone improves the discharging
effect in discharge printing of vat dyes on cellu-
lose fibers dyed with reactive, direct, or naphthol
dyes [20]. It is also recommended for discharging
of materials dyed with indanthrene dyes and
indigo. Anthraquinone acts as a reduction cata-
lyst and is converted to anthrahydroquinone as an
intermediate. A typical commercial product is
Anthraquinone Powder (BASF).
Vol. 36
White Pigments such as zinc oxide, titanium
dioxide or barium sulfate can also be added to
discharge print pastes. These cover the remaining
undischarged ground dyes, and produce a plastic
effect in patterns with small motives or fine outlines.
Optical Brighteners can intensify the white
effect in white discharge prints. They are mainly
used with polyester fibers.
3.5. Fixation Auxiliaries
In addition to oxidizing and reducing agents,
there are many other auxiliaries that improve the
fixation of soluble dyes. The effect of many
fixation auxiliaries is to promote solubilization
of the dye during the fixation process. In other
cases they cause swelling of the fibers.
Fixation Auxiliaries for Printing on Cellu-
lose Fibers.
Hydrotopic Auxiliaries. Urea has very good
hydrotropic properties and is widely used in
printing with reactive dyes [22]. During the
fixation of the dyes by steaming, only a small
amount of solubilizer, in the form of condensed
steam, is present. The hydrotropic properties of
urea significantly improve the fixation rate of the
dye, which is especially important for regener-
ated cellulose fibers [1, p. 781].
When printing with vat dyes and during vat
discharge printing, thiodiglycol is often added,
since it increases the solubility of the leuco form
of the dye and hence improves the fixation rate of
certain vat dyes [1, p. 781], [20].
Alkalis such as sodium carbonate or sodium
hydrogencarbonate are necessary for the fixation
of reactive dyes. Alternatively, the special pro-
ducts Basilen Fixing Agent F-RP (BASF) and
Remazol Salt FD (Hoechst), which are sodium
salts of a chlorinated carboxylic acid, can be
used. These salts act as alkali-releasing agents,
i.e., the alkali is only liberated during the dye
fixation process (steaming) [23].
Fixation Auxiliaries for Printing on Ace-
tate and Polyester Fibers are mainly fatty acid
derivatives and products based on polyglycols
[24, 25]. These auxiliaries not only improve the
Vol. 36
Table 3. Some commercially available fixing accelerators
Trade name Composition
For acetate
Luprintan DCA poly(ethylene glycol)
For polyester and triacetate
Rapidoprint RE mixture of organic compounds
Luprintan HDF fatty acid derivative
Tanaprint ASD modified fatty acid amide
Lamefix 680 ethylene oxide adduct
to polyglycol ether
For polyacrylonitrile
Luprintan PFD cyanoethylation product
Rapidoprint PAN organic compound
containing nitrile groups
fixation rate, but also simplify the fixation process
of the dye. When printing on acetate, the use of
fixation auxiliaries enables the fixation time to be
reduced from ca. 30 min to 8 – 12 min [26]. With
triacetate fibers, suitable auxiliaries enable a dye-
fixation in a continuous process at 100  C with
saturated steam instead of the batch pressure
steaming process that is otherwise necessary [26].
Fixation Auxiliaries for Printing on Poly-
acrylonitrile Fibers. Certain fixation auxili-
aries containing nitrile groups have proven to be
especially suitable for this printing process. They
can be used with cationic dyes and some disperse
and metal complex dyes [27].
Some examples of commercial fixation aux-
iliaries are listed in Table 3.
3.6. Dye Solubilizing and Dispersing
Agents
The dyes in print pastes must be in a completely
dissolved or very finely divided form, otherwise
problems could arise during the printing process-
es, resulting in uneven prints.
Dye solubilizing agents have the task of dis-
solving the water-soluble dyes during the prepa-
ration of the paste. Many polar organic solvents
are recommended and used for this purpose, e.g.,
ethanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene diglycol, butyl
glycol, butyl diglycol, glycerine, and thiodigly-
col [1, p. 781].
Thiodiglycol is widely used in textile printing.
It is recommended for solubilizing cationic dyes,
acid dyes, metal- complex dyes, substantive
dyes, naphthol dyes, and leuco esters of vat dyes.
Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries 139
Table 4. Some commercially available dye solubilizing agents
Producer Trade name Composition Producer
Lyocol BC aliphatic ether Sandoz
BASF Rapidoprint LM aliphatic ether CHT
Glyezin A thiodiglycol BASF
CHT Tinosol G 133 % thiodiglycol Ciba-Geigy
BASF
Tanatex
Gr€unau
The solubilizer can be directly added to the
BASF required amount of water. With powder dyes, it
CHT is often advantageous to paste the dye with the
solubilizer, and to form the solution by adding
hot water to this mixture.
Dispersing agents can cause insoluble dyes to
become finely dispersed during the preparation
of the print paste, and stabilize this state of
dispersion. The dispersing agents are usually
already present in the dye preparations (e.g., of
vat and disperse dyes), so that a separate addition
to the print paste is not necessary.
Some commercial dye solubilizing agents are
listed in Table 4.
3.7. Auxiliaries for Reactive Resist
Printing
In reactive resist printing, fixation of the ground
(vinylsulfone dyes) is prevented at the printed
areas by pre- or overprinting with a resist agent
(white resist). If the print paste contains mono-
chlorotriazine dyes that are resistant to the resist
agent, this is known as a colored resist print.
Special sulfur- containing compounds are used as
resist agents [28, 29].
Some commercial products are BASF Liquid
Reactive Resist Agent (BASF) and Cleantex
PWC-N (Kyoei Kagaku).
3.8. Auxiliaries for Burn-out Printing
[30]
Almost the only textiles used in burn-out printing
are woven and knitted goods made of polyester –
cellulose and polyamide – cellulose fibers. In
both fiber blends, the cellulose component is
destroyed by acid hydrolysis, i.e., it is burnt out.
Sodium hydrogensulfate or the less aggressive
aluminum sulfate in concentrations of 80 –
150 g/kg printing paste are used for the purpose.
140 Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries Vol. 36

Glycerine is added to burn-out pastes to facilitate Table 5. Some commercially available detergents and aftertreatment
agents
their removal by washing. The addition of glyc-
erine is necessary to enable a rapid rewetting of Trade name Composition Producer
the burned-out areas and easy and complete
Detergents
removal of the decomposed cellulose during the Foryl M 8 liquid mixture of alkyl Henkel
washing process. If yellowing occurs or if the polyglycol ethers
residues are difficult to remove, the textile must Levegal AN liquid mixture of alkylaryl Bayer
be bleached. polyglycol ethers
Kieralon DB mixture of substances BASF
that are surface
active, have an affinity
3.9. Aftertreatment Agents and for the dye, or have
Detergents a dye solubilizing effect
Printoblanc mixture of fatty amine CHT
polyglycol ethers
When printing with dyes that have affinity to the Rucogen FWK aliphatic ethylene oxide Rudolf
fiber, the fabric must be afterwashed. The goal is condensation products
to remove the unfixed dye, the thickening agent, Aftertreatment agents
Albigen A polyvinylpyrrolidone BASF
and the auxiliaries from the goods, giving the Sandofix WE methylolamide Sandoz
printed product the highest possible brillance and Mesitol PS condensation product Bayer
the required fastness properties [31]. of fused aromatic
Detergents with a good dispersing action are sulfonic acids with
formaldehyde
necessary, especially with water-insoluble dyes
such as vat dyes. Detergents with a dye-solubi-
lizing effect are used particularly for washing
materials printed with disperse dyes. With marking of the printed material on the padding
printed polyester, the effect of the detergent is and steaming rollers [34].
enhanced by treatment with the reducing agent
hydrosulfite [32]. The addition of polyvinylpyr- Acids such as citric acid or ammonium sul-
rolidone to the washing baths of prints made with fate are used to produce mildly acid conditions in
reactive and direct dyes prevents reabsorption of print pastes when printing with disperse and
the dissolved part of the dye. Condensation pro- cationic dyes.
ducts of aromatic sulfonic acids with formalde-
hyde show substantivity to polyamide fibers and Antifoams prevent the formation of foam
are mainly used for the aftertreatment of poly- during the make-up of the print paste and during
amide textiles printed with acid and metal- com- the printing process itself. Many such products
plex dyes [33]. They prevent staining of the white are available based on, e.g., silicone oils, organic
grounds during washing of the printed textile, and inorganic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and
and also improve the wetfastness of the printed many other types of compounds.
dyes.
Some commercial products are listed in ‘‘Print Oils’’ (mineral oils) are sometimes
Table 5. added to print pastes to reduce the friction be-
tween the doctor blade and the roller of a roller
printing machine.
4. Other Auxiliaries
Preservatives such as formaldehyde are 5. Textile Printing Adhesives [35]
added to natural thickeners to prevent bacterial
degradation [9]. In screen printing, the textile goods are almost
always secured by means of an adhesive so that it
Coagulation Agents such as borax or alumi- cannot move during the process.
num sulfate are sometimes added to the pad Water-soluble adhesives are the most com-
liquor for flash-age printing of vat dyes. They mon and include those based on natural products
prevent bleeding of the dye leuco compound and such as degraded starch, starch derivatives, or
Vol. 36
Table 6. Some commercially available adhesives [36]
Trade name Composition Producer
Water-soluble adhesives
Texogum 3013 starch ether Diamalt
Vianarol ST poly(vinyl alcohol) Hoechst
Lubasin RF polyvinylcaprolactam BASF
Permanent adhesives
Kiwotex TDK acrylate-based Kissel & Wolf
copolymerisate
Lubasin TP acrylate-based BASF
copolymer
Tubigum DK 2 polymer dispersion CHT
vegetable gums, and synthetic adhesives such as
poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyvinylcaprolactam.
The latter, which does not contain hydroxyl
groups, is used especially with textile goods
made of synthetic fibers to which it is difficult
to form an adhesive bond.
The water-insoluble adhesives include ther-
moplastic adhesives, which are acrylate-based
water-soluble polymers and have a softening
temperature of 50 – 80  C. They are applied to
the print blanket as a solution in a volatile organic
solvent. In the printing process, the coated print
blanket is heated by special heating equipment,
and the goods are pressed onto this by a roller,
causing adhesion. Thermoplastic adhesives are
permanent glues, i.e., they enable printed fabrics
to be bonded many times to the same adhesive
film. As well as thermoplastic adhesives, perma-
nent adhesives with a lower softening range are
also used. Unlike the thermoplastic adhesives,
these already form a strong bond even at room
temperature, so that no heating is required to
cause adhesion to the goods. They consist of
dispersions of acrylic esters. Examples of com-
mercial adhesives are listed in Table 6.
References
Specific References
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142 Textile Auxiliaries, 6. Printing Auxiliaries
Further Reading
B. Barden: ‘‘Coated Fabrics’’, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of
Chemical Technology, 5th edition, John Wiley & Sons,
Hoboken, NJ, online DOI: 10.1002/0471238961.
0315012002011804.a01.pub2.
T. A. Calamari, R. J. Harper: ‘‘Flame Retardants for Tex-
tiles’’, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technolo-
Vol. 36
gy, 5th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, online
DOI: 10.1002/0471238961.0612011303011201.a01.
T. A. Calamari, R. J. Harper: ‘‘Textiles, Finishing’’, Kirk
Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th edi-
tion, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, online DOI:
10.1002/0471238961.0609140903011201.a01.