Management of Digital Printing Ink Waste with Cotton Fabric using Screen Printing Method

Abstract

In India, the textile industry (the second largest sector after agriculture) is undergoing a huge churn due to automation and digitization directed towards the reduction of "carbon footprints." Innovative green solution like digital printing brings water, space, and print-paste waste saving. In the textile digital printing industry, the "piezo technique" is commonly used by most of the print head manufactures. The ink used for printing is discharged through this print head during various maintenance operations, such as suction, purging, purging with positive pressure, or flushing. Considerable amount of ink is wasted per machine. In order to utilize this wasted ink, traditional screen-printing method, using a screen to transfer ink onto a substrate, can be used. Laboratory experimental research was performed to develop a shade that can match with virgin dye printed shade. This was followed by comparative analysis to verify the effectiveness using the International Organizationfor standardization (ISO) test methods. The resultant printed fabric indicated similarity against virgin dye printed fabric within acceptable range of delta ē. The overall results indicated cost reduction, lower waste disposal and environmental impact, with a new product from recycled ink waste.