Difference between Textile Painting and Printing
Md. Amir Khasru
B.Sc. in Textile Engineering
Department of Yarn Engineering, SARSTEC
Email: santo.amirkhasru2002@gmail.com
Introduction:
Textiles are painted or printed to improve the surface look of the cloth. It enhances the dress’s beauty. Painting predates printing in terms of invention. Textile painting and printing have changed fashion and trends in the modern world.
Textile Painting:
We apply paint, pigment, brushes, and other materials to give the visual art on the surface a nice appearance. We call this phenomenon a painting. While brushes are often used to apply paint to the foundation, other instruments like knives, sponges, and airbrushes may also be employed. The two primary techniques for painting textiles are coloring, which involves directly adding color to the fabric, and patterning, which involves printing or painting patterns on the cloth using resists before coloring it.
History of Painting:
From history, the roots of painting are unknown. The first record of painting was found in Egypt. The first painting scratched the outline of men and animals upon bone and slate. The Egyptians used to communicate through painting and also used painting to show their lifestyle. Then Babylonian-Assyrian, Persian, Cypriote, and Asian minor painting were founded. Then Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, British, and American painting were also founded.
Process of Textile Painting:
Mix the paint (color material) with water and turn it into a dilute solution. Make the fabric flexible by wetting it. To improve paint brightness, dye the fabric. Then you need to wash the fabric. After that, design with a pencil or other tool, draw on the fabric, and finally paint with a hand brush.
Textile Printing:
The process of applying color to the fabric or fabric surface in different patterns and designs is called textile printing. In dyeing, the whole fabric is colored with one regular color, but in printing, the fabric surface is designed in many patterns with different colors. That is the major difference between textile printing and dyeing. The most important and versatile method of introducing design and color to textile fabrics is textile printing. Process of bringing colorants, ideas, and techniques for applying the colorants with the same precision.
History of printing:
The origin of printing is not clear, whether in India, Egypt, China, or elsewhere. According to Brunello, in 3000 BC, the first cotton dyed with madder was found in jars in the Indus Valley. Taylor says that madder on flax was found in Egypt in 1400 BC. In China, the dying of silk was first developed, as was the invention of paper printing. Modern textile printing was known in European countries through the Islamic empires.
Difference between Textile Painting and Printing:
Perspective | Textile Printing | Textile Painting |
Process | In textile printing, different types of color are used for selective application. | It is the manual application of an artist using a hand paint brush with color. |
Design | In textile printing, complex and detailed design is used. | Design complexity totally depends on the artist. |
Color Range | Different types of color may be used to give the right pattern. | Colored materials totally depend on the artist. Sometimes, artists use only one color, or coal, for painting. |
Fabric Type | For printing, versatile fabrics are used. | In painting, the artist also selects the fabric according to his design. Generally, flexible fabrics that can be painted easily are required. |
Size of Production | For large size of production printing process is more suitable. | For selected production painting is used due to high production cost. |
Consistency of design | Design & pattern are possible to repeat. | Design is unique. |
Durability over time | Comparatively more durable. | Comparatively less durable. Design may be damage over time. |
Production cost | Textile printing is economical for bulk production | Textile painting is comparatively expansive. |
Speed of production | It’s speed is high | Due to manual work, production speed is slow |
Artistic Freedom | Design & pattern are restricted | Totally depend on artist freedom |
Texture on surface | The surface of the cloth stays smooth even after textile printing. | Texture might be hindered. Brush and color hardness are the only factors that matter. |
Layering fabric | Multiple color used as layer | Painting with brush makes the layer on fabric surface . |
Environmental Impact due to chemical. | Since, different types of dyes & chemicals are used which are very harmful to environment. | Comparatively less chemicals are used and less harmful to environment but it totally depends on artist. |
Conclusion:
Printing and painting are give the cloths second life. Those are improve apparels appearance, brightness and make the dress more attractive. From the ancient time of the civilization people was tried to give good look their cloths. Modern painting, printing and dyeing make the new opportunities to our textile sectors.
Image courtesy:
- https: //www.facebook.com/BlandGlowFabric/
- https: //www.instructables.com/Fabric-Painting-Tutorial/
References:
- Leslie W. C. Miles – Textile Printing , Revised 2nd Ed.-Amer Assn of Textile
- https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing
- A textbook of the history of painting by John c. Vandyke, l. h. d
- https: //www.dharmatrading.com/techniques/fabric-painting-history.html
- https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_printing
- https: //www.instructables.com/Fabric-Painting-Tutorial/
- https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyeing
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.