US 2016.0024709A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0024709 A1 Walker (43) Pub. Date: Jan. 28, 2016

(54) METHOD EACILITATING TEXTLE Publication Classification PREPARATION FOR DIRECT TO-GARMENT PRINTING (51) Int. C. D06P 5/30 (2006.01) (71) Applicant: Brian A. Walker, New Philadelphia, OH (52) U.S. C. (US) CPC ...... D06P 5/30 (2013.01) (72) Inventor: Brian A. Walker, New Philadelphia, OH (US) (57) ABSTRACT (21) Appl. No.: 14/810,727 A method facilitating preparation of textiles and/or garments to facilitate use of a direct-to-garment (DTG) printing process (22) Filed: Jul. 28, 2015 to apply graphics to the garments is provided. The method includes the application of a pretreatment during a textile Related U.S. Application Data and/or garment-making process to obviate the need to apply (60) Provisional application No. 62/029,723, filed on Jul. pretreatment to a finished garment immediately before DTG 28, 2014. printing. US 2016/0024709 A1 Jan. 28, 2016

METHOD EACILITATING TEXTLE vides a barrier between a darker-colored garment and ink of a PREPARATION FOR DIRECT TO-GARMENT graphic applied thereto. The underbase serves as a medium PRINTING for facilitating good color retention, intensity, and wash fast ness of a graphic, even a lighter-colored graphic, printed onto BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the darker-colored garment. As such, the use of the pretreat 0001. The present application claims the benefit of Provi ment and underbase affords use of lighter-colored ink (e.g., sional Application No. 62/029,723, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which white or CMYK colors) to print graphics, even lighter-col is incorporated by reference herein. ored graphics, onto darker-colored garments. 0007. The pretreatment can also be used on lighter-col FIELD OF THE INVENTION ored garments for DTG printing processes, where use of the underbase is not necessary. Direct application of the pretreat 0002 The present invention generally relates to making a ment on a lighter-colored garment affords better adherence of garment for use in a direct-to-garment (DTG) printing pro ink of a graphic applied thereto. Furthermore, the use of cess. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pretreatment also facilitates good color retention, intensity, method facilitating preparation of textiles and/or garments to and wash fastness of a graphic printed onto the lighter-col facilitate use of a DTG printing process to apply graphics to ored garment. the garments. More specifically, the present invention relates 0008. The chemical reaction between the pretreatment and to a method of applying a pretreatment during a textile and/or the underbase applied thereover serves in preventing graphic garment making process to obviate the need to apply the applied thereover from mixing with the underbase. By pre pretreatment to a finished garment in the area to receive DTG venting Such mixing, the potential appearance of Smearing of printing immediately before DTG printing. the inks applied over the treated area can be prevented. Addi tionally, the pretreatment and underbase applied to darker DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART colored garments or the pretreatment applied directly to 0003 DTG printing is a process using printers utilizing lighter-colored garments serve in preventing the inks of the inkjet printing technology to directly decorate, imprint, or graphic applied thereover from running or wicking through customize textiles for any number of purposes. Use of the the fabric causing the graphic to appear blurred. As such, the DTG printing affords direct application of graphics to fin use of the pretreatment and underbase on darker-colored gar ished garments (such as t-shirts) more efficiently than tradi ments or the direct application of the pretreatment to lighter tional Screen-printing processes. colored garments serves to facilitate application and creation 0004. Unlike traditional screen-printing processes, DTG of graphics on garments having crisper, brighter appearances. printing allows for the application of an infinite number of 0009 While traditional screen-printing processes have graphics (with an infinite number of colors) to garments with significant set-up requirements in comparison with DTG limited set-up requirements. Typically, traditional screen printing, the application of the pretreatment is not necessary printing processes have significant set-up requirements to and the application of the underbase can be accomplished facilitate the printing of graphics on garments. For example, during one of the steps of traditional screen-printing pro a single screen is typically used to apply a single color. There cesses. To illustrate, the underbase can be applied to garments fore, if a graphic has multiple colors, then multiple screens using conventional screens during traditional Screen-printing must be used to facilitate the application of the multiple process. As such, the application of the underbase can be colors. Unlike DTG printing, traditional screen-printing pro incorporated into traditional screen-printing processes. cesses afford limited flexibility. Thus, to be cost effective, 0010. The application of the pretreatment cannot be effi traditional Screen-printing processes lend themselves to pro ciently incorporated into DTG printing. Applying the pre ducing large batches of garments with the same graphic treatment using DTG printing is cost prohibitive ink car printed thereon. In contrast, DTG printing affords the appli tridges for the printers for DTG printing are quite expensive, cation of any number of different graphics directly to gar and use of printers for DTG printing typically is reserved for ments with limited set-up requirements. As such, it can be application of the underbase and graphics to garments. Thus, cost effective to produce Small batches of garments using when using DTG printing for garments, the pretreatment DTG printing. must be otherwise applied to garments at least in the area to 0005. When using DTG printing processes, darker-col receive DTG printing via rolling, spraying, or other transfer ored garments require pretreatment to facilitate application of method (including even screen printing), and the pretreat lighter-colored graphics thereto. Typically, for DTG printing, ment must then be dried/cured/fixed to the garment. For a pretreatment and then an underbase are applied to a darker example, the pretreatment previously has been applied to colored garment in order to apply a graphic to the darker entire finished garments via a dipping or soaking process. colored garment. The pretreatment is typically a liquid, but, Thereafter, DTG printing can be used to apply the underbase for example, can also be a gel, gel film, or other medium. and graphics over the receptive Surface provided by the pre Thereafter, the ink of the graphic is applied over the pretreat treatment. The time required for application and drying/cur ment and underbase to the treated area of the darker-colored ing/fixing of the pretreatment can be a drawback of using garment. DTG printing for garments. 0006 For DTG printing processes, application of the pre 0011. Therefore, there is a need for eliminating the time treatment serves (1) to prevent the underbase from Soaking required for application and drying/curing/fixing of the pre into the fabric, and (2) to chemically react with and “gel the treatment before being able to use DTG printing on garments. underbase. As such, use of the pretreatment on a darker The present invention relates to a method of applying a pre colored garment affords better adherence of the underbase to treatment during a textile and/or garment-making process to the darker-colored garment. Furthermore, the underbase is obviate the need to apply the pretreatment in the area to typically white or lighter-colored ink, and the underbase pro receive DTG printing to a finished garment immediately US 2016/0024709 A1 Jan. 28, 2016

before DTG printing. The method of the present invention ing process, a rolling process, a brushing process, a dipping serves in eliminating the need to apply the pretreatment in the process, and/or a soaking process. Thereafter, the pretreat area to receive DTG printing immediately before DTG print ment is dried/cured/fixed onto the finished fabric. To illus ing. trate, the pretreatment can be dried/cured/fixed using an air drying process or a heat-drying (or curing) process. Once the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION pretreatment is has dried/cured/fixed, the pretreated finished 0012. The present invention in a preferred embodiment fabric can be made into a finished garment. The entirety or contemplates a method for making a direct-to-garment portions of the finished garments can be made of the pre printed garment, the method including the acts of supplying a treated finished fabric, and all of the portions of the finished pretreatment, providing a fabric for application of the pre garments made of the pretreated finished fabric are ready for treatment thereto, applying the pretreatment to the fabric, DTG printing. Furthermore, both the exteriors and interiors creating all or portions of a garment from the fabric after of the portions of finished garments made of the pretreated applying the pretreatment; and printing a graphic on the gar finished fabric are ready for DTG printing. As such, the need ment using a direct-to-garment printing process after creating for applying the pretreatment to the garment immediately before DTG printing can be eliminated. Garments made with the garment. fabric already treated with the pretreatment are ready for 0013 The present invention in another preferred embodi ment contemplates a method for treating a fabric with a pre DTG printing after making thereof. treatment to facilitate printing of a graphic thereon, the 0019. In another preferred embodiment, rather than apply method including the acts of applying the pretreatment to the ing the pretreatment to finished fabric, the pretreatment can fabric prior to making the fabric into a garment via at least one be applied to unfinished fabrics (such as woven/knitted/ of a spraying process, a rolling process, a brushing process, a milled fabrics) during the dyeing process. Dyeing is used to dipping process, and a soaking process, drying the pretreat achieve coloration of the unfinished fabric. The dyeing pro ment onto the garment prior to making the fabric into a cess typically involves dipping and/or soaking the unfinished garment via at least one of an air-drying process and a heat fabric to impart dye thereto, and the pretreatment can be drying process, creating all or portions of the garment from added during the dipping and/or soaking process. Thus, the the fabric, and after creation of the garment, printing the dye and pretreatment can be applied simultaneously to the graphic on the garment. unfinished fabric. Thereafter, the dye and pretreatment are 0014. The present invention in still another preferred dried to produce a pretreated finished fabric. As such, appli embodiment contemplates a method for treating a fabric with cation of the pretreatment can be incorporated into the pro a pretreatment to facilitate printing of a graphic thereon, the cess of manufacturing finished fabric. Furthermore, the method including the acts of applying a dye of a preselected entirety or portions of finished garments can be made of the color to the fabric, and applying the pretreatment to the fabric, pretreated finished fabric, and all of the portions of the fin portions of the acts of dyeing and applying being performed ished garments made of the pretreated finished fabric are simultaneously, after completion of the applying acts, drying ready for DTG printing after making thereof. Moreover, both the dye and the pretreatment on the fabric, after completion of the exteriors and interiors of the portions offinished garments the drying act, creating all or portions of a garment from the made of the pretreated finished fabric are ready for DTG fabric, and after creation of the garment, printing the graphic printing. on the garment. 0020. In yet another preferred embodiment, the pretreat 0015. Additional objects and advantages of the present ment can be applied to natural fibers (e.g., cotton) and Syn thetic fibers (e.g., polyester) used to make fabric. To illustrate, invention will be set forth in the description which follows, thread, yarn, or other fibers used in producing fabric can be and in part will be apparent from review of the following treated prior to the fabric-making process (e.g., knitting, specification, or may be learned by practice of the invention. weaving, or milling). The pretreatment can be applied before, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED during, or after the dyeing process of the natural and synthetic fibers. Furthermore, such fabric can be manufactured of the EMBODIMENT pretreated natural fibers, the pretreated synthetic fibers, or a 0016. The following description is intended to be repre combination of the pretreated natural and synthetic fibers. As sentative only and not limiting. such, the pretreatment can be applied prior to the fabric 0017. As discussed above, the present invention generally making process to produce a pretreated finished fabric. Fur relates to making a garment for use in a DTG printing process. thermore, the entirety or portions offinished garments can be More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of made of the pretreated finished fabric, and all of the portions applying a pretreatment during a textile and/or garment-mak of the finished garments made of the pretreated finished fabric ing process to obviate the need to apply the pretreatment to a are ready for DTG printing after making thereof. Moreover, finished garment immediately before DTG printing. The pre both the exteriors and interiors of the portions of finished treatment is typically a liquid, but, for example, can also be a garments made of the pretreated finished fabric are ready for gel, gel film, or other medium. DTG printing. 0018. In one preferred embodiment, pretreatment is 0021. By applying the pretreatment to finished fabric, applied to finished fabrics (such as woven/knitted/milled fab incorporating application of the pretreatment into the process rics) prior to the making of the finished fabric into a finished of manufacturing finished fabric, or applying the pretreat garment. For example, finished fabric is typically Supplied to ment to fibers prior to the fabric-making process, finished garment makers in rolls. The finished fabric is cut to shape garments made from fabric according to these processes usingapattern, and then the fabric is assembled into a finished require no further processing to facilitate DTG printing. That garment. Prior to making the finished fabric into a garment, is, prior to producing a finished garment, the pretreatment can the pretreatment can be applied thereto using one of a spray be applied so that the fabric used to make the entirety or US 2016/0024709 A1 Jan. 28, 2016 portions of the finished garment is prepared for DTG printing. 10. A method for treating a fabric with a pretreatment to Thus, the method the present invention serves in eliminating facilitate printing of a graphic thereon, the method compris the need to apply the pretreatment immediately before DTG 1ng: printing. As such, the number of steps needed to afford DTG applying the pretreatment to the fabric prior to making the printing on garments can correspondingly be reduced. fabric into a garment via at least one of a spraying process, a rolling process, a brushing process, a dipping 0022. Other embodiments of the invention will be appar process, and a soaking process; ent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the speci drying the pretreatment onto the garment prior to making fication and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is the fabric into a garment via at least one of an air drying intended that the specification and examples be considered as process and a heat drying process; and exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention creating at least a portion of the garment from the fabric. being indicated by the following claims. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fabric is at least I claim: one of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a milled fabric. 1. A method for making a garment for use in a direct-to 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pretreatment is garment printing process, the method comprising: adapted to facilitate application of ink to the garment. Supplying a pretreatment; 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pretreatment is providing a fabric for application of the pretreatment adapted to at least one of prevent the ink applied to the fabric thereto; from running and wicking through the fabric and provide applying the pretreatment to the fabric; and wash fastness of the ink applied to the fabric. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising dyeing the after applying the pretreatment, creating at least a portion fabric a selected color. of a garment from the fabric. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein applying the pretreat 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising drying of the ment and the dyeing of the fabric are performed simulta pretreatment onto the fabric prior to printing the graphic neously. thereon. 16. A method for treating a fabric with a pretreatment to 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the drying of the pre facilitate printing of a graphic thereon, the method compris treatment comprises at least one of air drying and heat drying. 1ng: 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric is at least one applying a dye of a preselected color to the fabric, and of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a milled fabric. applying the pretreatment to the fabric, portions of the 5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the pretreat acts of dyeing and applying being performed simulta ment includes at least one of spraying the pretreatment onto neously; the fabric, rolling the pretreatment onto the fabric, brushing after completion of the applying acts, drying the dye and the pretreatment onto the fabric, dipping the fabric in the the pretreatment on the fabric; and pretreatment, and soaking the fabric in the pretreatment. after completion of the drying act, creating at least a por 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pretreatment is tion of a garment from the fabric. adapted to facilitate application of ink from the direct-to 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the drying of the dye garment printing process thereon. and the pretreatment comprises at least one of air drying and 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pretreatment is heat drying. adapted to at least one of prevent the ink applied to the fabric 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the fabric is at least during the direct-to-garment printing process from running one of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a milled fabric. and wicking through the fabric and provide wash fastness of 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the pretreatment is the ink applied to the fabric. adapted to facilitate applying of ink to the garment. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising dyeing the 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pretreatment is fabric a selected color. adapted to at least one of prevent the ink used for printing the 9. The method of claim 8, wherein applying the pretreat graphic from running and wicking through the fabric and ment and the dyeing of the fabric are performed simulta provide wash fastness of the ink applied to the fabric. neously. k k k k k