How to print on fabric

Created on 11.18

How to Print on Fabric

1. Introduction

The ability to print visually appealing, durable, and high-quality printed fabric has become a core requirement in the global textile and apparel supply chain. Whether producing fast-fashion collections, home furnishings, sportswear, or customized orders, fabric printing determines not only the visual outcome but also critical performance elements such as hand feel, breathability, colorfastness, wash durability, and environmental impact. Different printing methods also lead to different production efficiencies and cost structures.

Because each fabric type—cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, or specialty fabrics—interacts differently with inks and printing equipment, businesses must select the appropriate method based on their end-use application, aesthetic requirements, order size, and sustainability targets. This article provides a detailed industry-level explanation of how to choose and execute the best printing process for printed fabric, including custom printed fabric, digital printed fabric, and many different printed fabric types, such as flower printed fabric commonly used in fashion and home textiles.

2. Common Fabric Printing Methods

2.1 Screen Printing

Principle

Screen printing uses a mesh stencil to push ink through selected open areas onto the fabric. Each color requires its own screen.

Applicable Fabrics

Cotton
Polyester/cotton blends
Heavy fabrics like canvas, denim, and thick knits

Advantages

High ink deposition produces rich, saturated colors
Excellent durability and wash fastness
Cost-effective for large production runs

Limitations

Not suitable for highly detailed, multi-color, or gradient designs
High setup cost and long preparation time
Unsuitable for extremely small volume orders

Industry Use: Uniforms, outdoor textiles, basic T-shirts, and large-scale flower printed fabric with limited colors.

2.2 Digital Printing

Principle

Digital textile printing sprays ink directly onto fabric using high-precision print heads. It is ideal for producing digital printed fabric with complex designs.

Applicable Fabrics

Cotton
Linen
Viscose
Polyester (with coating or for sublimation)

Advantages

Unlimited color combinations, detailed patterns, and smooth gradients
Best method for

custom printed fabric

Minimal setup time and excellent for small batches or fast sampling
Suitable for multiple

printed fabric types that require precision

Limitations

Slower print speed compared to rotary printing
Fabric must be pre-treated for optimal ink fixation
Higher cost per meter than mass-production methods

Industry Use: Fashion apparel, scarves, bedding, wallpaper fabrics, art fabrics, photographic prints, and designer-level printed fabric collections.

2.3 Heat Transfer Printing

Principle

The design is first printed on transfer paper and then pressed onto fabric using heat and pressure.

Applicable Fabrics

Polyester
Fabrics with smooth surfaces
Elastic blends

Advantages

High-resolution patterns with vibrant colors
Suitable for small batches and personalized orders
Economical compared to screen printing for multi-color designs

Limitations

Reduced abrasion resistance compared to direct printing
Requires smooth fabrics for best adhesion
Limited breathability for some applications

Industry Use: Sportswear, promotional products, kidswear, and customized lightweight printed fabric.

2.4 Dye Sublimation Printing

Principle

Sublimation ink transforms into gas under high heat and penetrates the fibers, creating a permanent bond without forming a surface layer.

Applicable Fabrics

100% polyester
Performance fabrics
Polyester-coated substrates

Advantages

No hand feel or texture overlay
Excellent colorfastness
Ideal for highly detailed

custom printed fabric and digital printed fabric designs

Fast and efficient for medium-run production

Limitations

Cannot be used on cotton or natural fibers
Requires precise heating equipment

Industry Use: Sportswear, yoga wear, swimwear, flags, banners, and technical printed fabric types.

2.5 Rotary Printing

Principle

Rotary screen printing uses cylindrical screens to print continuous patterns, making it one of the most efficient large-scale printing methods.

Applicable Fabrics

Woven and knitted continuous rolls
Cotton, rayon, polyester, and blends

Advantages

Extremely fast production speed
Consistent print quality for repeated patterns
Cost-efficient for tens of thousands of meters

Limitations

High equipment investment
Requires long production runs to be cost-effective
Not suitable for highly variable or customized designs

Industry Use: Bedding, curtains, upholstery, mass-market floral prints, and continuous flower printed fabric.

3. Fabric Preparation Before Printing

3.1 Pretreatment

Pretreatment ensures ink adhesion and color consistency for all printed fabric types. Processes include:

Desizing

: Removing sizing agents

Scouring

: Eliminating impurities and wax

Bleaching

: Whitening the fabric for improved print brightness

Mercerization

 (cotton): Enhancing dye affinity and shine

Different printing methods require different pretreatments:

Digital printing relies heavily on pre-coating to allow ink fixation
Sublimation requires heat-resistant polyester
Heat transfer printing benefits from smooth, uniform surfaces

3.2 Coating & Finishing

Finishing affects the performance of custom printed fabric, especially in B2B production environments.

Why coating is required

Sublimation base fabrics often need a coated surface
Digital prints require pretreatment liquids to stabilize color

Impact on printed fabric

Improved colorfastness
Softened hand feel
Enhanced wash durability
Reduced bleeding or feathering

4. Key Factors Affecting Printing Quality

A successful printed fabric must balance aesthetic clarity with functional durability. The main quality influencers include:

Fiber Composition

Cotton

: Best for reactive or pigment inks

Polyester

: Best for sublimation or disperse inks

Nylon

: Requires acid inks

Blends

: Often require combined processes

Surface Smoothness

A smoother surface improves resolution, especially for detailed or digital printed fabric patterns.

Yarn Density & Weight

Higher GSM improves ink absorption and depth of color.

Ink Types

Comparison chart:

Ink Type	Suitable Fibers	Advantages	Limitations
Reactive	Cotton, viscose	Bright colors	Requires steaming/washing
Acid	Nylon, silk	Fine detail	More complex workflow
Disperse	Polyester	High fastness	Needs high temperatures
Pigment	All fibers	Eco-friendly	Lower color saturation

Color Fastness Standards

Common certifications:

ISO 105
AATCC colorfastness tests
OEKO-TEX ink safety standards

Handfeel Adjustment

Softener, silicone finishing, and mechanical finishing protect printed fabric from stiffness after printing.

5. Printing Workflow: Step-by-Step

Artwork Preparation

Strike-off Sampling

Fabric Pretreatment

Printing

Fixation & Curing

Washing & Finishing

Quality Inspection

6. How to Choose the Right Printing Method

To select the best process for printed fabric, consider these variables:

Fabric Type

Cotton → reactive or pigment
Polyester → sublimation
Blends → pigment or disperse

Order Size

Small: Digital printing or heat transfer
Large: Rotary or screen printing

Pattern Complexity

Gradient or photo-quality → digital printing
Simple large patterns → screen printing

Cost Structure

Digital printing = higher cost per meter

Rotary printing = high setup but low per-meter cost for volume

Environmental Standards

OEKO-TEX certified inks
Water-based dyes
Reduced wastewater processes

7. Industry Trends in Fabric Printing

The printed fabric industry is experiencing rapid transformation due to consumer behavior and sustainability requirements.

1. Waterless Printing Technology

Digital and pigment-based printing reduce water usage by up to 95%.

2. Growth of Digital Printing

Digital printed fabric production is growing at double-digit annual rates because:

Faster sampling
Reduced MOQ
High-customization markets

3. Sustainable Materials

Recycled polyester and eco-friendly inks dominate new product development

(See: https://www.hawwintex.com/recycled-fabric).

4. Rise of Customization

E-commerce and personalized products increase demand for custom printed fabric.

8. Conclusion (100 Words)

Understanding how to print on fabric requires an in-depth understanding of printing technology, fabric properties, quality control, and the intended application. From traditional screen printing to advanced sublimation and high-precision digital printing, each method produces distinct forms of printed fabric, including digital printed fabric, flower printed fabric, and other specialized printed fabric types. Selecting the right technique depends on fabric composition, order size, design complexity, and sustainability goals. Ultimately, the foundation of excellent printing lies in choosing stable, high-quality base fabrics supported by reliable production partners.

About Hawwintex Fabric

As a professional textile manufacturer, Hawwintex Fabric provides stable base fabrics for high-quality printed fabric production across cotton, polyester, blends, and performance materials. Explore our capabilities, facility, and certified laboratory through our main site:

👉 https://www.hawwintex.com/

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