How to choose the suitable silicone for fabric printing

The following aspects can be considered when choosing suitable silicone for fabric printing:
1. Performance requirements
Adhesion
Good adhesion is the key to ensure that silicone can be firmly attached to the fabric. Choosing silicone with high adhesion strength can prevent problems such as falling off and cracking during use.
The adhesion of silicone can be evaluated by checking the product manual, consulting the manufacturer or conducting a small sample test.
Softness
The fabric usually needs to maintain a certain degree of softness and elasticity, so the selected silicone should also have corresponding softness. Too hard silicone may affect the feel and wearing comfort of the fabric.
You can touch the silicone sample with your hand or perform a bending test to feel its softness.
Washability
If the printed fabric needs to be washed frequently, the washability of silicone is very important. Choosing silicone with good washability can ensure that the printing effect is still good after multiple washes.
You can refer to the product's washability index or conduct actual washing tests.
Weather resistance
If the fabric will be exposed to the sun or other harsh environments, the weather resistance of silicone needs to be considered. Choosing silicone with good weather resistance can prevent discoloration, aging and other problems caused by ultraviolet rays, temperature changes and other factors.
You can understand the weather resistance parameters of silicone or conduct simulated environmental tests.
2. Color and transparency
Color selection
Choose the appropriate silicone color according to the design requirements and usage scenarios of the fabric. Silicone is usually available in a variety of colors, including regular colors and special effect colors (such as fluorescent colors, metallic colors, etc.).
Make sure that the selected color is coordinated with the overall style of the fabric and maintains good color rendering under different lighting conditions.
Transparency
If you need to achieve a transparent or translucent printing effect on the fabric, you can choose transparent or translucent silicone. This type of silicone allows the base color of the fabric to show through, creating a unique visual effect.
Note that the transparency of transparent silicone may be affected by factors such as thickness and color additives.
3. Safety
Environmental protection
Choose silicone that meets environmental protection standards to ensure that it will not cause harm to the human body and the environment during production and use. You can check the environmental certification mark of the product, such as Oeko-Tex Standard 100, etc.
Environmentally friendly silicone usually does not contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, benzene, etc.
Skin contact safety
If the printed fabric will come into direct contact with the skin, the skin contact safety of silicone needs special attention. Choose non-toxic and non-irritating silicone to avoid skin allergies and other problems.
You can perform skin contact tests or refer to relevant safety standards.
IV. Production process and cost
Production process adaptability
Consider whether the production process of silicone matches the existing printing equipment and process. Different types of silicone may require different printing methods and conditions, such as screen printing, thermal transfer, inkjet printing, etc.
Ensure that the selected silicone can be printed smoothly on the existing production line and will not have a big impact on production efficiency and quality.
Cost factors
The price of silicone is also an important consideration for selection. Choose cost-effective silicone according to the budget and market positioning of the product.
In addition to the price of the silicone itself, the cost of use, such as maintenance and energy consumption of printing equipment, needs to be considered.
V. Supplier selection
Reputation and reputation
Choosing a silicone supplier with good reputation and reputation can ensure the quality and service of the product. You can learn about the supplier by checking the supplier's evaluation, consulting industry insiders, or conducting field visits.
High-quality suppliers are usually able to provide professional technical support and after-sales service.
Product quality control
Understand the supplier's product quality control system to ensure that the silicone provided meets the relevant quality standards. Suppliers can be asked to provide product test reports, quality certifications, etc.
Suppliers should have strict raw material procurement, production process control and finished product testing to ensure product stability and consistency.
Technical support
When choosing a silicone supplier, consider whether it can provide technical support. This includes product usage guidance, printing process optimization suggestions, etc.
Technical support can help solve problems encountered during use and improve production efficiency and product quality.