Direct fabric roll-to-roll: glue belt, wash cycle, PrintExp, pigment ink

• Source-Date (SAST): 2026-08-03
• Dest: both
• Review-after: 2027-08-31
• Status: current

Facts

• Direct fabric printing needs a transport that neither leaves the fabric behind nor stretches it.
• This roll-to-roll uses a belt with brushed-on glue: sticky enough to carry fabric, not so sticky that the fabric stays stuck. After print, a roller pulls the fabric off.
• The belt then washes (ink and fabric fluff), dries, and returns for the next cycle.
• Glue lasts a long time. When it must be cleaned, wash off with kerosene and reapply.
• RIP/print system is still PrintExp.
• Ink is water-based pigment. Different fabrics need different formulas; a general common type is sold.