Thermosol
Thermosol is a continuous dyeing method in which polyester and similar materials are mainly dyed with disperse dyes, then dried and heat-treated at high temperature to fix the dye inside the fibers.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Thermosol is a dyeing method in which dye liquor is applied to fabric, then dried and heat-treated at high temperature to fix the dye. It uses disperse dyes, mainly for polyester, and is characterized by its ability to be processed continuously.
It is the name of a dyeing method, not a woven or knit structure name, and not a material name. Even for fabric dyed by Thermosol, the fabric type and composition, such as plain weave, twill, or jersey, must be checked separately.
Features and Finish
Because disperse dyes are diffused and fixed into polyester fibers by heat, a uniform shade is easy to obtain when processed under proper conditions, and it is also used as a base for multicolor printing and for solid dyeing.
Hand feel, luster, firmness, and drape are not determined by the Thermosol method alone. The finish changes depending on the yarn type, fabric structure, aftertreatments such as weight reduction processing and softening finishing, and the heat-treatment conditions.
Main Applications
It is used for polyester woven fabrics and knits, as well as blended and union fabrics containing polyester. It is suitable for apparel fabrics where color uniformity and mass production are required, such as shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, jackets, and uniforms.
Seasonality is not determined by the dyeing method alone. Thin fabrics are suitable for spring and summer, while thick fabrics and brushed materials are suitable for autumn and winter. Intended use and wearing season should be judged based on the fabric weight, structure, blend ratio, and finishing process.
Selection and Handling Notes
When ordering, confirm the polyester blend ratio, color number, lot, and required color fastness. For fabrics containing fibers other than polyester, it is necessary to combine dyeing methods suited to each fiber, and controlling color consistency and uneven dyeing may become an issue.
Because high-temperature processing is involved, the fabric is affected by its heat history. Before sewing, check the shrinkage rate and fabric width for each roll, and if necessary, unwind the rolls and perform trial sewing. For ironing and heat-press bonding, set temperature conditions suitable for the material, and also watch for fading and shine.
Shrinkage from washing, color fading, and sublimation fastness cannot be judged from the name Thermosol alone. Follow the washing care instructions for each fabric, and at the planning stage, confirm fastness tests for washing, friction, perspiration, light resistance, and other required uses.
Differences from Similar Terms
High-temperature high-pressure dyeing is a method of dyeing polyester using dye liquor at high temperature and high pressure inside a sealed dyeing machine. By contrast, Thermosol is basically a continuous process in which dye is applied to the fabric, dried, and then fixed by heat treatment.
Sublimation transfer printing is a printing method that creates a pattern by vaporizing and transferring dye from transfer paper with heat. Thermosol mainly refers to a method related to fixing dye after dyeing or printing, and it is different from the process of transferring a pattern from transfer paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Thermosol dyeing be used for materials other than polyester?
The main target is synthetic fibers such as polyester, where disperse dyes can be fixed by heat easily. For blended and union fabrics containing cotton or rayon, dyes and processes suitable for each fiber may be combined. Because color development and color differences vary depending on the composition, confirmation using a test roll is important.
Does fabric dyed by Thermosol shrink?
The degree of shrinkage is not determined only by whether Thermosol dyeing was used. The material, woven or knit structure, pretreatment, whether heat setting was performed, aftertreatment, and washing conditions all have an effect. Before mass production, check the shrinkage rate for each roll, and in sewing, also consider grain direction and dimensional changes after cutting when setting the pattern.
Are Thermosol and sublimation transfer printing the same?
No, they are not the same. Both may use heat and disperse dyes, but sublimation transfer printing is a printing method that transfers the pattern from transfer paper to the fabric. Thermosol refers to a dyeing process in which dye applied to the fabric is fixed by heat treatment, and it is also involved in fixing solid dyeing and printing.
