Optical Clarity
Edge definition of a printed or dyed pattern quantifies the precision of the transition between two color zones or between a color and the background. High line sharpness indicates that the boundaries are crisp and free from bleeding or feathered edges. Superior definition is a primary indicator of the quality of the pretreatment and the viscosity control of the ink.
Measurement usually involves examining the edge under magnification to check for stray droplets or capillary wicking.
Wicking Resistance
Capillary action in the yarns tends to pull liquid away from the point of impact. Low line sharpness results when the fabric surface energy is too high or the ink dries too slowly. Sizing agents or specialized coatings are applied to the textile to increase the contact angle of the ink.
These treatments freeze the droplet in place to maintain the intended geometry of the design.
Resolution Factor
Total dots per inch and the volume of individual droplets set the physical limit for how clean an edge can appear. Achieving superior line sharpness requires a balance between the jetting frequency and the mechanical movement of the carriage. If the droplets are too large, they coalesce and blur the fine details.
Small droplets provide better detail but are more easily deflected by air currents or static electricity.
Evaluation Standard
Objective testing uses high resolution scanning to measure the width of the transition zone in microns. A tighter transition corresponds to a higher grade of print quality. Production batches are compared against a master sample to ensure the visual impact remains consistent.
