CO₂ laser dye patterning for textile design and apparel manufacture

Digital dyeing technique, described as ‘Digital Laser Dyeing’ (DLD) was studied in this research using CO2 laser technology, synthetic textiles, workshop coloration methods and industry standard dyes and dyeing procedures. Laser beam energy was used as an image creation tool to modify surface fibres with graphic patterns and coloured dyed effects through a Computer Aided Design (CAD) approach. The research was supported by a textile design perspective in order to explore the creative potential of DLD methods for textile processing, fabric finishing, fashion design and apparel manufacture. Combined technical and scientific inquiry ensured experimental rigor in terms of the repeatable methods employed and reliable results achieved using an energy density (J/cm2) approach. Outcomes of the study identified CO2 laser-dye patterning as an innovative alternative textile coloration approach and dye on demand manufacturing process relevant to textile and clothing production. Explorations with polyester/elastane sportswear and intimate garments in this study suggest a potential sector for the development of on demand processing for synthetic textiles and clothing.