Pat Hardcastle and Trevor Larkins focus on printed textiles along with the key criteria required for defining best fabric bases, colour specifications, production principles and points to be noted when fabric is submitted for bulk.

They also give a brief overview of dyestuff classes for printing as well as associated fibre groups and will look at basic printing methods and the machinery required for printing process.

During the webinar Pat mentioned about dyers terms and using these to describe changes in colour required. To learn more about dyers terms, colour space and overall colour in the textile supply chain take a look at Colour in the Design and Textile Supply Chain

There were a few questions regarding the safety of the chemicals used in discharge, colour illumination and devore printing. The very nature of the process that is being achieved means that the chemicals used are likely to have hazard warnings/ symbols associated with them. As with all chemicals care should be taken to wear appropriate safety clothing for the chemicals and use these in suitable conditions. When best practice is followed then the risks are minimised. When carried out on an industrial scale then safe efficient treatment in line with local guidlines and regulation should be followed.

A question on plastisol inks started  conversation in the chat. It is probably useful to cover this briefly as it is a vast topic. Plastisol inks are pigment based and the binder is typically PVC. Over recent years suppliers of the binders have at least removed the phthalates as regulation kicked in but the cleaning of plastisol dyes does require the use of solvents to clean equipment. There does seem to be a shift to water based systems at forward thinking direct to garment printers very much on the environmental profile. There is of course the argument that water based systems provide a softer feel. Environmentally the move has to be to water based systems. Companies do supply high solid content water based binders that do mimic the effect of plastisol systems.

There were a number of questions about which dyes are not or are approved by various external agencies e.g. GOTS or which are the most environmentally friendly reactive dyes. This can easily be found from your supplier as they will have paid for the assessment and registration of their dyes with various organisation e.g. GOTS, Oekotex, ZDHC to nsure that restricted substances do not exist above the levels deemed safe. As a user that is your responsibility to ensure the best products are used and now provides the best opportunity to get this information from your colorant supplier.