Printing with Acid dyes on Protein fabrics
As part of technical content print specialism students on the textiles programme are inducted in the process of printing with acid dyes on protein fabrics.
Are there actions technical staff can take to reduce waste and make this process more sustainable?
As with so many processes in the Print and Dye specialism the process of printing protein fabrics with acid dyes is not a good one for the enviroment. Chemical dyes and auxillary chemicals are required, alot of water and energy is used and we currently use virgin ‘first use’ silk straight from the factory.
However a printed silk garment or textile product has a ‘special nature’ and if cared for well can last for generations and not need to be replaced as frequently as a less special everyday textile product. A higher quality product that lasts longer is one way of addressing the probelms of textile over production.
I will look at the recipe and do some tests to see if removing one or both of the wetting agents has a detrimental effect on the quality of the printed samples produced. I have reduced the size of printed samples produced in university inductions but we could also look at using recycled or second use silk in the sampling process. I currently use recycled cotton when inducting year 1 students in the print room. It is challenging to technically teach students to an industry level as is required but also adhere to University sustainability goals. Although industry likes to talk about sustainability in the media it also wants to employ students who are trained to design in a way condusive to the practices they currently employ
It was great to see how you integrated the question of sustainability in the induction session I observed you leading. I felt it worked very well in raising consciousness (and criticality about the limits of the industry).