The present technology is directed to devices and methods for dyeing a fiber, including pretreatment of the fiber before contacting it with a dye. The present technology is also directed to methods of improving the dyeability of a fiber, as well as increasing the efficiency of the dyeing process and minimizing waste and loss of dye.

A pigment printing ink jet ink composition includes a pigment, a resin particle, an organic solvent, and water. The organic solvent includes an amide compound represented by the following general formula (1). ##STR00001## In the general formula (1), R.sup.1 represents a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently present hydrogen atoms or a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

A pigment printing ink jet ink composition includes a pigment, a resin particle, an organic solvent, and water. The organic solvent includes an amide compound represented by the following general formula (1). ##STR00001## In the general formula (1), R.sup.1 represents a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently present hydrogen atoms or a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Kits and methods are provided for color customization of articles by applying ink to regions of decreased pigment density. By creating tension over these regions during application of the ink, the ink may be preferentially transferred to those regions.

There is provided a method of treating textile fibres including: a) providing a polymeric precursor including a diallyl amide cationic compound and a corresponding counter ion; b) either (i) coating the textile fibres with the polymeric precursor and polymerising the polymeric precursor to form a polymeric coating, or (ii) polymerising the polymeric precursor and contacting the polymerised polymeric precursor with the textile fibres to form a polymeric coating on the textile fibres. There is also provided a composite structure including a polymeric coating formed from the polymeric precursors of the present invention.

There is provided a method of treating textile fibres including: a) providing a polymeric precursor including a diallyl amide cationic compound and a corresponding counter ion; b) either (i) coating the textile fibres with the polymeric precursor and polymerising the polymeric precursor to form a polymeric coating, or (ii) polymerising the polymeric precursor and contacting the polymerised polymeric precursor with the textile fibres to form a polymeric coating on the textile fibres. There is also provided a composite structure including a polymeric coating formed from the polymeric precursors of the present invention.

A image forming method of the present invention includes steps of forming a coloring material layer by applying an ink containing water and a dispersible coloring material dispersed in the water to the surface of a fabric by an inkjet method; and forming, on a surface of the coloring material layer, a protective layer having an average thickness smaller than that of the coloring material layer.

A dye composition and a dyeing method for an elastic fabric are provided. The dyeing method includes: (a) providing an elastic fabric which includes an elastic fiber; and (b) immersing the elastic fabric in a dye composition. The dye composition includes an ion modifier and a dye. The elastic fiber of the elastic fabric has a first ion by contacting the ion modifier, and the first ion has a first charge; the dye has a second ion, and the second ion has a second charge opposite to the first charge. The first ion of the elastic fiber and the second ion of the dye together form an ionic bonding.

Methods for processing denim are provided. An initial fabric is abraded by passing the initial fabric through an abrader at a first predetermined speed, thereby obtaining a pre-washed fabric with an abraded texture. The abrader comprises one or more sanding boards, where each respective sanding board has a respective diamond surface that contacts the initial fabric while spinning about a respective axis at the respective center of the respective sanding board during the abrading. The pre-washed fabric is then washed with an ozone composition, thereby obtaining an ozone washed fabric.

Methods for processing denim are provided. An initial fabric is abraded by passing the initial fabric through an abrader at a first predetermined speed, thereby obtaining a pre-washed fabric with an abraded texture. The abrader comprises one or more sanding boards, where each respective sanding board has a respective diamond surface that contacts the initial fabric while spinning about a respective axis at the respective center of the respective sanding board during the abrading. The pre-washed fabric is then washed with an ozone composition, thereby obtaining an ozone washed fabric.