Plasma Enhanced Inkjet Printing of Textiles

Plasma technology has been paid increased attention for surface modification of various materials for being effective and competitive in imparting surface functionalities, and very importantly it is an environmentally friendly approach. In this chapter, a succinct overview of the technique of low temperature Plasma Surface Modification (PSM) that can be applied to fabric surface before digital inkjet printing will be introduced. PSM of varied textile substrates that enhances the wettability and facilitates the subsequent ink-jet printing process of fabrics made of various types of materials will be discussed. Systems of evaluation of changes in surface morphology, absorption, and element content of fabrics due to PSM will be discussed. Plasma-assisted pre-treatment of fabrics made of different types of fibre materials such as polyester, silk, cotton, and wool, can enhance printed colour values, fastness properties, for inkjet printing with both synthetic and plant-based inks. The employed technology causes no change to the bulk properties of the treated fabrics and benefits the environment by being low on emissions and effluents.