Abstract: Provided herein are methods for printing an image on a substrate using various methods of deposition in a single process. The methods may comprise a base layer application step wherein a base layer is applied to a portion of the substrate using a valve jet, or an inkjet printhead and a graphical application step wherein one or more ink layers are applied to a portion of the substrate (e.g., using an inkjet or a valve jet). Advantageously, the base layer may be applied only to substantially the same portion of the substrate as the one or more ink layers. The methods may further comprise a top coating step wherein a topcoat is applied to the printed portion of the substrate using a valve jet or an inkjet printhead.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes and methods of pretreating a fabric (such as hydrophobic fabric) prior to the application of graphics using, for example, inkjet printing. The process may comprise, for example, applying a pretreatment composition to at least a portion of the bottom face of a textile, thereby causing the pretreatment composition to migrate to the top face of the textile via capillary action. The process may further comprise a printing step wherein one or more inks are applied to the top face of a textile, thereby forming a graphical image on the textile.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes and methods of preconditioning a fabric prior to the application of graphics using, for example, inkjet printing. The preconditioning may comprise one or more of the following: (1) applying a preconditioning formulation to all or a portion of the textile; (2) heating or drying the textile at an elevated temperature; and/or (3) exposing the textile to an inert gas or vacuum in order to remove excess unreacted dye material and/or making the dyes immobile or non-diffusive. Further the print will have less or no staining after printing and curing the fabric.

Abstract: Polymeric urethane dispersants with solubilizing polymer chains and with reactive carbon to carbon double bonds are described. The reactive double bonds facilitate molecular weight build-up of the dispersant on dispersed particles (enhancing colloidal stability) or enhance the ability of the dispersants to be crosslinked into a matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved performance inks for use in an impulse inkjet printer. The fast-drying compositions comprise from about 40 to about 55 percent by weight of a glycol alkyl ether having about 3 to 20 carbon atoms, about 30 to about 40 percent by weight of a solvent that is a ketone alcohol, 1,4-butanediol, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, alkyl lactates, or mixtures thereof; about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of glycerol; about 0.5 to about 5 percent by weight of a polymeric resin; about 0.5 to about 2 percent of one or more of surface modifiers and antioxidants; and about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of a colorant.

Abstract: Described is the preparation of a composition suitable for inkjet printing, produced by blending a viscous printing composition suitable for application by an impact printing technique and a diluent. For hydrophilic viscous printing composition the diluent comprises: (i) water; (ii) a glycol; (iii) at least one surface tension modifier; (iv) optionally, ammonium hydroxide; and (v) optionally, one or more solvents. For lipophilic viscous printing composition the diluent comprises a surface tension modifier which is soluble in a fatty acid-based oil. Also described is a process for preparing the composition from a screen printing paste and a process for utilizing an ink jet to apply a viscous printing composition to a substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for preventing clogging in impulse inkjet printers. It has been found in accordance with the invention that ink clogging during quiescent periods can be prevented by providing an ink that has the property of forming a barrier of higher viscosity ink where the ink contacts the ambient air. As a result, the viscous barrier shields the remaining ink from the effects of air exposure during the quiescent period. Thereafter, the barrier is removed by a series of sub-pulses that re-homogenize the viscosity barrier and clear the nozzle.