FarbstoffPrint

FarbstoffPrint is a dye-based color printing technology used for reproducing images on a range of substrates, including textiles and coated papers. Centered on dye inks and a post-print fixation step, the system emphasizes rich color, smooth gradients, and lower energy use compared with pigment-based methods. The term combines the German word farbstoff (dye) with print.

Originating in a European consortium of ink developers and printer manufacturers in the early 2010s, FarbstoffPrint was designed to expand digital textile printing beyond pigment inks. Early implementations required substrate pretreatment. Over successive generations, new binder chemistries and standardized color management broadened substrate compatibility and improved washfastness.

At its core, FarbstoffPrint uses water-based dye inks formulated for rapid drying and controlled diffusion. Inks are jetted onto treated or uncoated substrates, with a subsequent fixation step—heat, UV, or chemical curing—that bonds dyes to fibers or films. Color accuracy relies on ICC profiles, standardized color spaces, and device calibration.

Prime markets include direct-to-fabric printing for apparel and home textiles, as well as art reproduction and proofing for graphic design. The technique supports full-color imagery, fine gradients, and soft hand feel on suitable fabrics, while remaining compatible with conventional digital printing workflows.

Dye-based prints may show variable lightfastness and washfastness depending on substrate and dye chemistry. They often require careful substrate selection and post-process care. Environmental considerations focus on ink formulation, water use, and fixation energy, with ongoing research aimed at expanding durability and recyclability.