This research project was designed to compare color performance of different transfer papers on cotton/polyester blend fabrics using heat transfer printing process. Digitally printed textile technology and heat transfer processed have advantages of ease of color reproduction of several colors, reduced post processing, and low equipment investment and maintenance. New developments in paper carrier have made it possible to transfer and fix inks on the fabrics more effectively. However, the light fastness of heat-transferred colors is not well defined. The purpose of this experimental study was to examine the light fastness of cotton/polyester blend fabrics with heat transfer printing. A digital four-color test chart including a test target and photographic images was designed for this study. The designed test target was first printed onto three different commercially available transfer papers by using a ink-jet printer. The printed transfer images were then press transferred using a SwingMan 15 heat transfer press. A Q-Sun Xenon test chamber was employed to evaluate light fastness based upon AATCC Test Method. The transferred color patches were measured using the X-Rite i1iO spectrophotometer. The color performance was quoted as color difference (ΔE) in CIE color space.
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