Date of Award
12-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Graphic Communications
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Carl Blue
Committee Member
Dr. Amanda Bridges
Committee Member
Dr. Duncan Darby
Abstract
Various techniques are employed to create images on textile fabrics. This study utilized a dye sublimation transfer process to print onto synthetic textile fabrics. Sublimation transfer printing is a widely used method for applying designs onto fabrics. However, achieving consistent and accurate color reproduction remains a significant challenge. Factors such as temperature and dwell time can heavily influence the color accuracy and overall quality of the prints, making it essential to study their effects.
The study focuses on the influence of temperature and dwell time to evaluate the color quality of the sublimation transfer prints across different synthetic fabrics. The study comprised 11 fabric samples, consisting of 5 Aberdeen fabrics and 6 Fisher fabrics. The Aberdeen fabrics are categorized as coated, white and backlit and printed on an EPSON Surecolor F9470 printer. The Fisher fabrics are classified as blockout, heavy, and soft knit and printed on the MUTOH Xper Jet 1624WR Pro printer. These 11 fabrics were printed at three different temperatures, 380°F, 390°F and 400°F, with a dwell time of 35 seconds, 45 seconds, and 55 seconds. A cyan, magenta, yellow and black test target was printed on each fabric sample. These color patches served as the basis for evaluating the print’s accuracy and consistency.
This study measures and evaluates color metrics such as LAB values, dot gain, and Delta E values to assess the color accuracy of the printed colors. These color metric values were measured using an X-Rite i1 Pro 3 Plus spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer allowed for precise and reproducible data collection, ensuring the results were reliable and could be used to draw meaningful conclusions.
This research aims to identify the optimal temperature and time setting to achieve the highest color accuracy by analyzing the color quality parameters. The study found that a temperature of 380°F with a dwell time of 55 seconds consistently shows the lowest Delta E values, suggesting the optimal sublimation condition for color accuracy and stability across most fabrics. The fabric properties, such as opacity, OBA Index, texture and fiber composition, and LAB values of the fabrics, were examined to understand the interaction with the sublimation printing process, which may influence the color outcomes. For instance, fabrics with higher opacity or certain fiber compositions showed different levels of color accuracy compared to others.
This research not only provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between temperature and dwell time but also offers practical insights that can be applied to improve the color accuracy and consistency of sublimation printing. By identifying the conditions that minimize Delta E values and enhance color stability, this study contributes to the optimization of printing practices. The findings provide valuable insights to enhance the color accuracy, improved color reproduction and consistency of the sublimation prints across the synthetic fabrics used as samples in this research, which is practically valuable and benefits the textile printing industry. This study provides a foundation for future research to explore additional variables, such as humidity and pressure, which may further refine the sublimation printing process and its outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Potnis, Ramya, "Optimizing Sublimation Transfer Printing: Influence of Temperature and Dwell Time on Different Synthetic Fabrics With a Focus on Color Metrics and Delta E Evaluation" (2024). All Theses. 4414.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4414