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RCT Technology Customer Case FAQ

I. JETALL® Eco Latex RCT Solution (PU, Microfiber, TPU, Coated Waterproof Leather)

Q1: Are there mass production cases of RCT latex ink for automotive interior leather?

A: Yes. It has been adopted in an automotive interior leather project for BYD’s supply chain.

· Substrates: PVC / PU artificial leather, TPU composite interior leather

· Original customer pain points: UV printed parts suffer from strong odour, high VOC and cracking under lowtemperature bending. Conventional pigment prints show poor ozone and nitrogenoxide fastness, prone to discolouration / fog marks during sea freight and longterm warehousing.

· RCT implementation: Pixelcontrolled OP wetonwet process + direct printing with JETALL latex ink, cured at 60–70°C without fullsurface base coating.

· Outcomes: Meets OEKOTEX® ECO PASSPORT lowVOC requirements. Prints withstand 300,000 bending cycles without cracking. Greatly improved resistance to ozone, nitrogen oxides and fume, which significantly reduces fog / wind mark risks during storage and container shipping. It replaces traditional screen printing and UV leather printing and supports flexible smallbatch custom patterns for automotive interiors.

Q2: Any brandlevel cases for footwear upper and flyknit materials?

A: Yes. It has been applied for sample development and flexible replenishment orders for ANTA footwear components, flyknit fabrics and TPU accessories.

· Substrates: Microfiber uppers, PU garment leather, TPU elastic film, breathable flyknit textiles

· Original customer pain points: Frequent bending on footwear tends to cause whitening along creases, insufficient hiding power of white ink and colour loss by rubbing. Conventional leather printing carries high platemaking cost and long lead time for design changes.

· RCT implementation: RCT wetonwet OP + latex white ink + colour latex ink printed in one pass.

· Outcomes: Stable hiding power of white underlayer on dark uppers; rub fastness consistently reaches Grade 4–5. Prints remain intact under 300% substrate elongation. No screen plates required, ideal for new style sampling and smallbatch quick reorders.

Q3: Are there commercial cases for sofa leather and soft furnishing upholstery?

A: Yes, including sofa leather and soft wall panel projects for IKEA’s supply chain.

· Substrates: Furniture PU leather, decorative upholstery leather, wall covering fabrics

· Original customer pain points: Strict VOC and odour limits for indoor environments. Longterm indoor exposure to ozone and sulphides causes colour fading. UV inks are pungent and unsuitable for interior applications.

· RCT implementation: Direct printing with JETALL latex RCT system.

· Outcomes: Pure waterbased formulation with zero unpleasant odour, compliant with IKEA sustainable sourcing standards. The dense crosslinked latex film acts as a barrier against ozone and sulphide attack, resisting greying and colour shift during longterm storage. Unprinted areas retain the original soft hand feel of leather without extra coating.

Q4: Any overseas mass production cases for luggage and children’s backpacks?

A: Yes, a largescale luggage factory in Turkey is in mass production for PVC school bags, children’s backpacks and ladies’ bags.

· Substrates: PVC luggage leather, black PU leather

· Original customer pain points: Strict eco compliance for EU children’s products. UV and solvent inks have strong odour; conventional pigment prints show weak wet rub fastness and frequent windmark complaints after container storage.

· RCT implementation: Validated onsite at ITM Turkey exhibition, then deployed on HJ1802L rolltoroll latex printers with RCT darkbase whiteunder print workflow.

· Outcomes: Passes SGS GB 18401 Class C and REACH SVHC screening. Excellent alcohol wipe resistance and solves the longstanding windmark issue for overseas customers.

Q5: Can RCT latex print waterproof fabrics such as down jacket and shell fabrics? Any reference case?

A: Yes, applied on down jackets, windbreakers, rainwear and outdoor sailcloth.

· Substrates: PUcoated waterproof fabrics, laminated nylon windproof textiles

· Original customer pain points: The dense waterrepellent coating rejects reactive and ordinary pigment inks. The coating layer cannot withstand high curing temperature.

· RCT implementation: RCT lowtemperature curing latex process.

· Outcomes: The waterproof membrane remains intact after printing; the fabric still maintains its original water repellency after decoration, suitable for all kinds of outdoor waterproof gear.

Q6: Any application on special media for cultural and gift products?

A: Yes, smallbatch custom printing on Tyvek®, PET soft film, transparent TPU, rubber mouse pads and teatable decorative mats.

· Substrates: Tyvek®, transparent TPU, PET film, rubber base materials

· Outcomes: Direct printing without precoating, alcoholresistant and coloursaturated, suitable for custom gifts and commercial signage in lowvolume flexible runs.


II. Jetextile® Pigment RCT Solution (Cotton, Linen, Viscose & Blends)

Q7: Do we have factory cases for readytowear garments, designer Tshirts and linen apparel?

A: Yes, multiple domestic highend designer apparel factories and linenstyle garment manufacturers have adopted this process.

· Substrates: Combed cotton, viscose, linen, cotton blends

· Original customer pain points: Conventional pigment printing with fullsurface pretreatment causes stiff hand feel, watermarks and yellowing. Reactive direct printing requires steaming and washing, bringing heavy environmental pressure, long lead time and high cost for small orders.

· RCT implementation: OP fluid is printed only on graphic zones by printheads, followed by wetonwet white ink and colour ink, finished after drying, no steaming or washing required.

· Outcomes: Dramatic water reduction and zero wastewater discharge. Unprinted areas stay uncoated with softer hand feel than conventional sprayed pigment printing. GOTScompliant ink version available for organic cotton orders; sampling can be finished on the same day.

Q8: Any home textile cases for cushions, curtains and table runners?

A: Adopted by premium home textile manufacturers for limitededition and designer collections.

· Substrates: Cotton, linen, viscose home textiles

· Original customer pain points: Fullarea pigment spraying makes fabrics stiff. Reactive direct printing has high sampling cost. Customers are concerned about fading caused by sunlight and smog during storage.

· RCT implementation: Jetextile pigment RCT pretreatmentfree direct printing.

· Outcomes: Light fastness reaches Grade 6–7; no spray watermarks and less consumption of pretreatment chemicals. Perfect for smallbatch limitedrun flexible orders.

Q9: Can traditional DTG Tshirt printing be upgraded to RCT? Are factories already running it?

A: Many domestic digital garment printers have upgraded to RCT wetonwet DTG lines to replace old dry DTG with manual spray pretreatment.

· Original customer pain points: Uneven handsprayed pretreatment, edge yellowing, watermarks and unstable white underlayer on dark Tshirts.

· RCT implementation: OP fluid is deposited precisely by printheads synchronised with patterns, then overprinted with white and colour ink in wetonwet state.

· Outcomes: Eliminates defects from uneven spraying; white underlayer on dark tees is cleaner and more stable, lowering reject rates.


III. HOTME® HighTemperature Disperse RCT Solution (Polyester, PolyesterSpandex Stretch Fabrics)

Q10: Any supplychain cases for swimwear and stretch yoga apparel for crossborder markets?

A: Yes, mass production for crossborder swimwear and tight fitness wear manufacturers serving EU and US markets.

· Substrates: Polyester spandex highstretch fabrics

· Original customer pain points: Traditional sublimation only colours the surface; stretching reveals white yarns and causes whitening. Dark stretch fabrics suffer uneven penetration and colour difference. Swimwear faces high risks of fading after prolonged water immersion and sunlight exposure.

· RCT implementation: RCT controlledpenetration disperse directtofabric printing.

· Outcomes: Ink penetrates into fibre bundles for doublesided colouration without whitening upon stretching. Excellent antimigration performance and no whitening after heat setting, well suited for crossborder swimwear and tight sportswear.

Q11: Is RCT disperse suitable for plush fabrics and stuffed toy textiles? Any case?

A: Yes, applied on polyester plush fabrics for toy printing.

· Substrates: Polyester short plush

· Original customer pain points: Fibre pile orientation disturbs ink penetration, leading to inconsistent colour yield between light and dark shades and fuzzy edges.

· RCT implementation: RIP greyscale control for RCT penetration system to precisely regulate ink dosage and penetration depth.

· Outcomes: Uniform colour yield on both pile surface and reverse side with sharp pattern edges.


IV. HongJet® RCT NoPowder DTF Transfer Printing

Q12: Besides directtofabric printing, are there DTF transfer cases for RCT?

A: Yes, deployed by custom apparel makers and luggage accessory printers. Validated at PRINTING United (USA) and exhibitions in Mexico.

· Substrates: Cotton, synthetic fabrics, luggage leather accessories

· Original customer pain points: Conventional DTF generates large amounts of hotmelt powder dust, creates stiff prints, and unstable powder dosage leads to inconsistent wash fastness.

· RCT implementation: RCT selfcrosslinking resin ink, no powder feeding or powder shaking process required.

· Outcomes: Dustfree workshop environment, softer print hand feel. Suitable for smallbatch Tshirt customisation and luggage accessory transfers.


V. General FAQs

Q13: Is there a demonstration base available for factory tours and sampling?

A: Yes. HONGSAM operates the Henan WaterFree Digital Printing Demonstration Base, an inhouse RCT pilot line. It is open to printing associations, brand owners, government delegations and customers for onsite visits and sidebyside sampling comparison of RCT pigment, RCT latex and RCT disperse waterfree printing.

Q14: Have overseas distributors launched RCT solutions locally?

A: Distributors in Mexico, Turkey and Southeast Asia have rolled out full RCT ink packages, providing local sampling, technical support and massproduction service for regional luggage, home textile and garment customers.

Q15: How do I quickly select the right RCT solution for my products?

A: Quick selection guide:

 ✅ Cotton / linen fashion, organic cotton quickresponse, Tshirt DTG → Jetextile Pigment RCT (WashFree DTG / Roll Printing)

 ✅ Swimwear, stretch polyester sportswear for crossborder sales → HOTME Disperse RCT (Controlled penetration, antiwhitening under stretch)

 ✅ PU / microfiber / TPU, footwear, luggage, automotive interiors, upholstery leather → JETALL Latex RCT (Flexresistant, ozone & smog resistant, low windmark risk)

 ✅ Smallbatch custom apparel, dustfree transfer accessories → HongJet RCT NoPowder DTF

What should be paid attention to when using latex ink for PU leather printing?

When it comes to printing on PU (polyurethane) leather using latex technology, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:


Latex Ink Compatibility: Ensure that the latex ink you intend to use is suitable for printing on synthetic materials like PU leather. Look for latex inks specifically designed for flexible substrates.

Surface Preparation: Properly prepare the surface of the PU leather for printing by ensuring it is clean and free of any contaminants that could affect ink adhesion. Some manufacturers may offer specific recommendations for surface preparation.

Printing Parameters: Adjust the printer settings to account for the unique properties of PU leather, such as its flexibility and smooth surface. This may involve adjusting ink density, curing temperature, and print speed to achieve optimal results.

Curing Process: Latex inks generally require heat for curing. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the appropriate curing temperature and duration to ensure good adhesion and durability of the printed image on the PU leather.

Testing and Quality Control: Before full-scale production, conduct thorough testing to validate the print quality, adhesion, and durability of the latex ink on PU leather. This can help to identify any potential challenges and optimize the printing process.


By adhering to these considerations, you can leverage latex printing solutions to produce high-quality prints on PU leather for various applications such as custom upholstery, fashion accessories, and promotional items. Always refer to the specific guidelines provided by the ink manufacturer for the best results.

What are inkjet printing solutions for tshirts?

T-shirt inkjet printing solutions typically involve the use of specialized inkjet printers and inks specifically designed for fabric printing. 


These solutions may include: 


Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printers: DTG printers are designed to print directly onto T-shirts and other apparel. They use specialized textile inks and are often designed with a flat plate to accommodate the T-shirt press plate. Textile inks: These inks are specifically designed to adhere to fabrics and resist washing and wear. They may come in a variety of colors and formulas to suit different fabrics and printing methods. 

Pre-treatment solutions: For DTG printing, pre-treatment solutions are typically used to prepare the fabric to receive ink. This increases the vibrancy and durability of your printed design. 


DTF (direct-to-film) printing: After printing with an inkjet solution, a heat press is typically used to cure the ink and bond it to the fabric to ensure durability and wash fastness. 


These solutions produce high-quality, full-color prints on T-shirts, providing versatile and customizable options for garment decoration.

Difference Between DTF and DTG Printing Solutions

Comparison of DTF printing and DTG Directly Printing (Technical Perspective)


1. Color


Both processes are digital printing, with similar color richness but different processes.


DTG directly printing: directly print white ink on the fabric, and then print color ink on the white ink. Since white ink is directly printed on the clothing fabrics, part of the white ink will be absorbed by the fabric, and the surface of most fabric fibers is uneven, so the white ink we see is not so white. Therefore, when color ink is printed on the white ink, it does not seem very bright.


DTF transfer printing: first print color ink on the transfer film, and then print white ink on the color ink. After sprinkling powder on the white ink, transfer it on the clothes in reverse. DTF ink is directly printed on the film, which is actually printed on the coating of the film. The coating will not absorb any ink and can ensure that the ink does not spread. White ink is printed on the color ink, and then sprinkled with powder to ensure bright colors. At present, it seems that the color of DTF printing is better than that of DTG directly printing.


2. Fastness


Generally, there are three types of clothing fastness: dry rubbing fastness, wet rubbing fastness, and washing fastness.


Dry rubbing fastness: The dry rubbing fastness of DTF printing is generally level 4-4.5, and directly printing is generally above level 4. DTF printing is better, but both of them can all meet the requirements.


Wet rubbing fastness: The wet rubbing fastness of DTF printing generally reaches level 4, and directly printing is generally level 3-4. DTF printing is better. Washing fastness: DTF printing usually reaches level 4, and DTG direct printing usually reaches level 3-4. DTF printing is still better.


3. Product Applicability


In principle, pigment ink is suitable for any clothing fabric, and pigment particles rely on adhesives to adhere to the clothing fabric, but in practical applications, there are differences.


Heat transfer process: Heat transfer process is suitable for almost all fabrics.


DTG directly printing process: In principle, pigment ink is suitable for any fabric, but the fastness of directly printing process on some fabrics does not perform well , such as polyester fabrics or fabrics with low cotton content. With the advancement of technology ,this problem will be solved.


From the current technology, the heat transfer process is suitable for more fabrics and processes.


4. Cost


Cost consists of two parts: material cost and production cost.


Material cost: Digital DTF ink has relatively low requirements for ink because it is printed on the film. The transfer film printing market is developing rapidly and the competition is fierce. Currently, the price of DTF ink is lower than that of DTG ink. In the DTG directly printing production process, the fabric needs to be pre-treated. The material cost of the pre-treatment is relatively high, which will be higher than that of the film.


Production cost: The production cost is directly related to production efficiency, and the complexity of the process can also affect efficiency.


DTF printing process: film printing ➡ cutting ➡ transferring

DTG directly printing process:pre-treatment liquid ➡ drying (heat pressing) ➡ printing ➡ drying by air ➡ drying (heat pressing) color fixation


DTG directly printing process and heat transfer process, printing the same pattern and using the same time, but besides printing, DTG directly printing requires two more processes than heat transfer process. From the perspective of time, it takes about twice as much time and production efficiency is twice as low.


In terms of the printing process, there is not much difference between the two processes, but besides printing, the DTF transfer process is simple, efficient, and the corresponding labor cost is not high


5. Comfortability


Looking at the bright part from the back, the DTG directly printing part has even light coming through it, while the DTF printing part is completely black without any light. If we blow air on the cloth with our mouth, we will find that the directly printing part is breathable, and the DTF printing part is non breathable. For summer clothing, good breathability and comfort are essential.


Conclusion: Compared with the direct printing process, heat transfer printing is simpler and lower in cost, but less comfortable. DTG directly printing is rising rapidly and mainly targeting the high-end clothing industry. Therefore, the affordability of DTF printing cannot meet the needs of high-end customers.


Hongsam focuses on inkjet printing solutions for 22 years, we offers both DTF printing solution and DTG printing solution. If you are still confused, please contact us, we can offer the recommendation based on your actual situation.

What are the differences between water-based ink and uv ink?

Water-based ink


1. Water-based ink mainly uses water as solvent, and has the advantages of stable ink color, high brightness, strong tinting strength, strong adhesion after printing, adjustable drying speed and strong water resistance. Compared with other inks, since the aqueous ink does not contain volatile toxic organic solvents, it has no adverse effect on the health of the operator during the printing process, and has no pollution to the atmospheric environment and the printed matter itself. Because the ink has the characteristics of non-flammable, it can also eliminate the hidden dangers of flammable and explosive, improve the printing working environment, and is conducive to safe production.

2. However, current water-based inks still have certain technical limitations, and their printing performance and quality are not up to the standard of solvent-based inks or UV inks.


Hongsam Water Based Latex Ink


Hongsam latex ink solve the problems of normal water based ink’s limitation, it doesn’t lose the vibrant color and high color reproducibility of solvent inks. Resins contained in the latex ink are dissolved by heat and form a membrane to firmly fix pigments to the surface of the media. The latex ink allows for printing on a wide range of materials including wood, metal, PVC, paper, fabric, and PET film without the ink absorbing layer, which is typically difficult to print on with solvent ink.


UV inks


1. UV inks have a unique cure, for example fast cure without penetration and evaporation, and are now widely used in inkjet printing. UV inks have three major characteristics: energy-saving drying, extensive print ability to substrates (almost on all materials), and fast cure to reduce subsequent process times.

2. However, UV printing inks are harmful prior to application, workers' protection needed (pungent smell, skin irritation...). Paper waste from UV printing to be separated in the print shop, possibly even to be disposed of as hazardous waste, because de-inking in paper recycling is still prob-lematic.

What is textile digital printing?

The production process of textile digital printing uses modern digital equipment, color separation is processed by computer software, through professional RIP software to spray pigment ink or dye ink directly onto our fabric or the medium, and then the post-processing is performed on different fabrics to form the colorful patterns. Compared with the traditional printing process, the digital printing process gets rid of the process of color separation, sketching, film making and screen making, which greatly reduce the production time and production cost.


Digital printing also breaks the length limit of traditional printing color registration and flowers, can make the textile fabrics achieve the printing effect of high-end printing. Theoretically, the color can reach 16.7 million kinds, which breaks through the single color registration of traditional printing limit. Printing on high-precision patterns such as color gradients and cloud patterns. Digital printing has unparalleled advantages in technology, which greatly expands the space for textile pattern design and improves the grade of products.


In the high-precision spraying process. There is no waste of dyes and chemicals, no waste water, and the computer-controlled spraying process does not produce noise. The spraying process does not produce pollution, the process of achieving green production.


Follow Hongsam to learn more about inkjet knowledge. Hongsam has 22 years' experience on textile inkjet printing solutions, we have different inks used for different fabrics printing: roll to roll textile pigmment ink, sublimation ink, high energy disperse ink, reactive ink, DTG ink, DTF ink and acid ink.

What will influence the print's performance?

1. Quality of the inks.

2. Media types: Media of different brands and materials will receive obvious different performance.

3. Definition of original pictures: The higher of its definition is, the better the print's quality will be.

4. Resolution rate of the printer: If the printer's resolution rate is low, the print's quality won't be satisfied even the original picture's definition is high. Also, the resolution while printing will influence the print's quality.

5. Software: The same picture will get different color saturation while using different software.

6. Printer: As the printer manufacturers adopt different technologies, the print's quality will vary according to printers.


Pigment ink and dye ink, which is better?
That depends on what effect you want to receive. For pigment ink, it is waterproof and high lightfast. Therefore, it is a better choice if the output needs to be kept for a long time. For dye inks, its color gamut is wider. Therefore, it is a better choice if you only need to get a vivid image. Furthermore, the price of dye ink is far less than that of pigment ink.
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