Epson, a pioneer in digital textile printing, and its subsidiary For.Tex, a leading producer of dye, thickeners and textile pre/post-treatment products, are launching Pregen PCC, the innovative textile pre-treatment formula for digital pigment-printed fabrics that allows them to reach a grade 4 rating for fastness to rubbing along with brilliance and colour intensity.

Pregen PCC is already available and is suitable for fabrics used for both clothing and interior decorating, according to the manufacturer. Thanks to the new formula, brilliant colours last longer, the company explains. Compared to current pre-treatment products, it is said to guarantee improved colour performance (20% higher intensity) and better rubbing fastness in both dry and wet tests (grade 4). Pigment printing is also environment-friendly: it does not require steaming or washing units, thereby reducing water and energy consumption.

“We are happy to see that the market is learning to appreciate pigment technology. We were the first to believe in it – with the first Genesta PG pigment inks launched in 2005 - and we are convinced that the new pre-treatment formula will facilitate the adoption of this technique,” explained Pietro Roncoroni, Chairman of For.Tex..

“Pregen PCC is another step forward in the simplification and efficiency of the printing process, as it considerably reduces time and costs. In reaching a higher level of colour fastness, switching from traditional to digital printing is becoming increasingly more convenient.”

Pregen PCC, the new pre-treatment for pigment-printed textiles, is only the latest product developed by For.Tex. “Since the introduction in 2005 of Genesta PG pigment inks, with over 6 million square metres printed to date, Monna Lisa has ensured a level of quality and reliability that are unmatched in this sector,” the company reports.

“The ongoing research has now produced Pregen PCC, another target achieved in improving quality while reducing time and costs (no particular treatment is required after printing to obtain maximum results) for digital pigment-printed textiles. This is an indispensable pre-condition for a sector that promises significant growth rates in coming years, and new efforts towards a reduced environmental impact.”

Epson is a technology leader. With a line-up that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 80,000 employees in 86 companies around the world.

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