Purpose The purpose of this study was to prepare partially methylolated polyacrylamide-guar gum via graft copolymerization of acryalmide and guar gum using the potassium bromate/thiourea redox system. Design/methodology/approach Using HCHO (40 per cent), amide groups in the composite are converted to reactive composite. The reactive composites (N-methylolated [PAam-GG]) were used as pastes for printing cotton fabrics with pigment dye, under a variety of conditions. Variables studied include the amount of binder incorporated into the printing paste and different catalysts incorporated into the printing paste. Originality/value Characterization of printing samples under different conditions, including amount of the beneficial effects of varying conditions of printing on the color strength (K/S); the color parameters L, a, b, h and c; and the change in color difference (ΔE) were also investigated. The Fourier transforms infrared spectra of printed cotton fabrics has followed each condition of printing. The obtained results indicate that the improvement in the printing process may be due to change in molecular configuration as a result of the variation in chemical bond.