Factors Affecting Dye Transfer in Conventional Printing with Disperse Dyes

The conventional printing of polyester materials with disperse dyes and alginate thickeners has been studied. The factors governing dye transfer were investigated using isolated films of the thickener. Alginates block dye transfer completely. Special geometrical conditions in the thickener layer are postulated and substantiated to explain the printing process (G model, d/l ratio). A major factor is direct contact between dye and substrate. The geometrical model explains only some of the facts. At high concentrations of dye, structural changes (S effect), also reported by other authors, are observed in the alginate layer. These changes make it easier for the dye to escape from inside the layer. Fixation accelerants are especially useful for demonstrating the S effect. The S concept is corroborated by kinetic observations and by the evidence of a system of channels inside the print film. Light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to identify the film structures and localise the dye