Quick Response Printing

Textile printing systems are needed that will meet the requirements of time-driven, demand activated manufacturing. Electrophotography and ink-jet printing are technologies that have the potential of meeting these requirements. Textile-specific, electrophotographic and ink-jet printing toners/inks must be developed if these technologies are to gain acceptance in the textile industry. The development of such toners/inks are the main goal of the current research effort. Computer simulation is employed as an important tool for predicting the properties of resin binder systems and to assist in the selection of promising candidates for both ink-jet and electrophotographic printing. INTRODUCTION Current textile printing technologies are deficient in meeting today’s time-driven, demand activated manufacturing strategies necessary for future success of the fiber/textiles/fabricated products (FIFP) complex. Archaic technologies, e.g., storage of information on wire screens for current printing processes, must be replaced with dry, computer-driven systems if the U.S. FTFP complex is to remain globally competitive [1,2]. National Textile Center Annual Report: August 1995 161