Evaluation of Washfastness and Crockfastness Values: Pigment Printed Fabrics

Washfastness and crockfastness values were evaluated to study the effects of binder and process parameters on pigment printing. Acrylate- and butadiene-based binders, and three different colorants, were used for pigment printing on 100% cotton fabrics. Sixty-six pigment printed fabrics were evaluated for washfastness and crockfastness by standard test methods. Fastness values were evaluated based on binder, softener, fixator, process, fastness developer, pH, and curing temperature/time. Results indicated that wet crockfastness values were dependent on the processing parameters. In addition, using butadiene-based binder and adding fixator into the printing paste had significant effect on improved fastness values.