Development of pretreatment solution for inkjet printing of polyester fabric using enzyme and cyclodextrin

A pre-treatment solution has been developed for direct to fabric inkjet printing of polyester fabric with improved colour yield, colour fastness, and outline sharpness of the prints. Enzyme treatment of polyester fabric with lipase enzyme (Candida Antarctica B) has been carried out initially followed by treatment with cyclodextrin (20-60g/L) and citric acid (5-60g/L). The colour yield (K/S), and outline sharpness of inkjet prints on the pre-treated polyester fabric are evaluated. SEM, FTIR, and the water contact angle tests are conducted to study the utilization of the carboxyl group created by enzyme treatment for the attachment of cyclodextrin on fabric. The colour yield and sharpness of the pre-treated polyester fabric has improved as compared to the control and commercial samples used in the industry. The fabric samples pretreated with enzyme (1 g/L) followed by treatment with cyclodextrin (40 g/L) and citric acid (20 g/L) show higher colour strength and outline sharpness.