EVALUATION OF PRINT MOTTLE IN TEXTILE PRINTING: IMPACT OF PRINTING METHODS ON MACRO NON-UNIFORMITIES

Besides the quality of colour reproduction itself, there are other secondary print quality attributes. Secondary print quality evaluation is very important and is influenced primarily by the print method and type of substrate. For textile printers, there is an additional challenge related to macro non-uniformities due to the nature of the substrate. One of these secondary quality attributes is print mottle, which is influenced by macro non-uniformities that remain at the top layer of the print after the ink is fixed on the substrate. Print mottle values primarily consist of an analysis of macro non-uniformities and can be analysed using the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) method, among others. In this study, the GLCM method was used as well as the macro non-uniformity index or NU value verification method performed by ImageJ software. Four different textile printing methods and one cotton fabric substrate are used. The objective is to examine print mottle and the impact of printing method on macro non-uniformities. The printing methods include DTF, DTG, screen printing, and screen transfer printing. The aim is to compare the results of different printing methods and to determine their relation to perceived non-uniformity as assessed visually.