APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INK JET PRINTING ON TEXTILES

摘要

An apparatus and method for ink jet printing on textiles is disclosed, where in the steps of pre-treating, ink jet printing, and post-treating the textile takes place at the ink jet printer. A preferred method includes the steps of applying a pre-treat to the textile, evaporating excess water from the pre- treat, ink jet printing a pattern on the pre-treated textile, evaporating water from the ink in the pattern, applying a binder/post-treat to the patte rn and curing the binder. The textile printing apparatus prints on an untreated textile by having a first application device to apply a pre-treat aqueous solution to the textile. A first heating element is arranged to evaporate mo st or all of the water from the pre-treated textile as it passes. An ink jet printer then accepts the pre treated textile and prints the desired pattern on it. A second heating element at the output of the printer evaporates water from the ink in the pattern as the printed textile passes. A second application device applies a binder/post-treat to the printed textile after the ink evaporation. A third heating element dries and cures the binder/post - treat.