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/* Optimize sustainability benefits */
With transfer printing, dye is printed on paper and then the paper carries the dye to secondary process where the colour is moved onto the fabric without the use of water and associated pollution associated with more typical jet dyeing systems. Transfer printing has poor fibre penetration, however. <br/>
AirDye is a propriety technology heat transfer printing technology that achieves greater penetration than traditional heat transfer printing by using a proprietary set of dyes. The AirDye process creates rich hues and achieves higher colour fastness. AirDye is suitable only for synthetics, and is readily used on polyester and nylon.2
== Optimize sustainability benefits == {| class="wikitable"|-! style="background-color:#66cdaa;width:300px;color:#ffffff" | DESIGN OPPORTUNITY! style="background-color:#66cdaa;width:300px;color:#ffffff" | PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITY! style="background-color:#66cdaa;width:300px;color:#ffffff" | CONSIDERATIONS|-| Work with mills and vendors that use low impact colourants (e.g., low COD/BOD, no metals, no formaldehyde). || Promote mills and vendors that use low impact colourants (e.g., low COD/BOD, no metals, no formaldehyde).<br/><br/>Forbid the use of carcinogenic/mutagenic colourants, restricted azo colourants and organic solvent-based colourants. || Carcinogenic/mutagenic colourants are never acceptable.|-| Work with printers that offer alternatives to PVC printing (e.g., resist printing, novel techniques such as Rehance printing) and low- or no- formaldehyde, low- or no- metal plastisol variants. || Promote printers who offer PVC print alternatives and avoid phthalate plasticizers.<br/><br/>Promote plastisol printers who offer low- or no-formaldehyde, low- or no- metal plastisol variants. || Colourfastness/durability of print may be poorer, and hand-feel may be affected |- | Develop discharge prints with printers who use low impact colourants and discharge agents.<br/><br/>Avoid ZFS, heavy metals and formaldehyde. Develop with printers who offer alternatives to discharge printing (e.g., resist printers, novel techniques such as Rehance printing). || Promote discharge printers that use low impact discharge agents.<br/><br/>Discourage the use of ZFS.<br/><br/>Promote discharge printers who avoid heavy metals and formaldehyde. || May alter the product’s aesthetic.|-| Avoid carriers used to dye polyester fabrics whenever possible. ||Do not use mills and vendors that use carriers when dyeing synthetics.<br/><br/>Promote mills that use high-pressure dyeing equipment. || High pressure dye systems generally use more energy|-| Promote lighter cotton shades and use of direct dyes in order to minimize salt volume and waste. ||Promote mills and vendors that use low- or and no-salt dyeing techniques. || If proper colourants are selected and more sophisticated equipment is used (e.g., automated dosing), salt can be reduced dramatically.|- | Look for naturally coloured cotton design and merchandising opportunities. Emphasize and feature positive physical and colour performance properties.|| Naturally coloured cotton is highly variable. Find the “good” suppliers. || Coloured cotton used in 100% produces weak yarn that can snap when making fabric. Use plied yarns in 100% or blend coloured with white fibre to improve yarn strength.|-| Design tonal colour range collections that are easier to work with in reuse dye bath systems. ||Find and promote mills and vendors that reuse dyebaths. || |-| Work with mills who pad-batch dye cotton to minimize salt, water and energy use.|| Find and promote ink-jet printers. || |- | ||Promote proper wastewater treatment. || |-| || Promote the use of spun dyed fibres. || Spun dyed fibres reduce water and pollution associated with more traditional dyeing.|-| Use natural colourants on protein fibres such as silk and wool, where their colourfastness and durability is optimized.<br/><br/>Design natural dyes to fade beautifully.|| || Natural colours are expensive and it can be difficult to achieve light fastness, wash fastness and long-term durability. Be prepared to accommodate different performance parameters. (colourfastness, repeatability, etc.).|- | Know the source and cultivation details of natural dye plants, and ensure they are sustainably grown.|| Promote mills and vendors that have in-depth knowledge of natural colourants and avoid metal salt mordants.|| |}
