Characteristics of Digital Jet Printing

Digital jet printing technology is the development and application of the cross-integration of printing and dyeing technology with information science and technology. It mainly relies on three core technologies of information science: (1) Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology; (2) Digital manufacturing technology; and (3) Computer network technology.

By applying these three technologies to digitize the entire product processing equipment and processes of printing, the full production process of printing becomes digitalized. This new production model improves production efficiency, enhances product quality, and significantly reduces environmental pollution, ushering printing technology into a new era. As mentioned in the previous article, digital jet printing machines are the latest printing equipment internationally emerging in the 1990s. Following relief printing, flat screen printing, roller printing, rotary screen printing, and transfer printing, they represent an entirely new printing method and a major breakthrough in traditional printing technology.

Digital jet printing involves inputting desired patterns into a computer via various digital input methods—such as scanned images, digital camera photos, or digital images transmitted through the Internet. After editing and processing by a computerized printing color separation system (CAD), a dedicated software-driven chip controls the printing system to directly jet specialized dye liquors (e.g., reactive or disperse dyes) onto various fabrics or other substrates, thereby producing exquisite printed products. This technology eliminates the traditional back-and-forth conversion process between digital and analog formats, which previously involved steps like color separation, pattern tracing, film production, and screen making for printing.

Digital jet technology works by applying external force to dye liquor, forcing it through nozzles to form individual color dots on the fabric. Also known as digital jetting, it is a jetting technology based on digital image technology. Digital technology controls whether the nozzles jet dye or not, as well as their movement in the X and Y directions, enabling the formation of accurate, corresponding images on the printed substrate.

For digital jet printing, since the entire image is composed of tiny color dots, a high jet dot density is required. Jet density refers to the number of dots per inch (DPI), a key indicator commonly used to measure inkjet printers. Generally, a resolution of 180~360 DPI is sufficient for clear text printing. For images, a resolution of 360~720 DPI typically achieves a clear and aesthetically pleasing effect. However, for printed fabrics, limited by the warp and weft density, higher resolution does not always mean better results (a resolution of 1440 DPI already appears "dot-free" to the naked eye). As resolution increases, higher requirements are imposed on the jet frequency of nozzles and positioning accuracy. Digital jet printing machines are the product of digital jet technology evolving to an advanced stage, requiring high-precision nozzle technology, high-precision mechanical control technology, high stability, reliability, and corresponding jet dye liquors.

The application of digital jet printing technology truly addresses the market demand for personalization, small-batch production, and rapid response. It transforms single-product production into multi-variety production, flat designs into three-dimensional ones, and decorative functions into practical ones. This enables flexible production methods, rich design materials, and personalized application modes, greatly meeting the modern consumer psychology of pursuing novelty, uniqueness, variation, and personalization.