Digitally printed cotton fabric - the influence of washing conditions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of washing on cotton fabric digitally printed in blue colour. The study included several important steps: the selection of the most suitable detergent and washing temperature, the analysis of the effects of detergents on colour fastness and the physical properties of the cotton fabric after five washes. Detergents with different formulations and physical forms were used. The results showed that powder detergents containing optical brighteners caused the strongest changes due to their abrasive effect on the pigment layer. To preserve colour integrity, washing at 40 °C with detergents without optical brighteners is recommended.