A treatment agent for image recording includes a cationic polymer emulsion and a cationic surfactant. A set usable for recording on a fabric includes a water-based ink for ink-jet recording including a colorant and water; and the treatment agent for image recording. A recording method for recording on a fabric by using the set includes: applying the treatment agent for image recording to the fabric; drying the treatment agent for image recording applied to the fabric; and jetting the water-based ink onto the fabric by an ink-jet system.

There is provided a treatment agent for image recording including: a cationic polymer emulsion; and a water-soluble organic solvent including a glycol-based water-soluble organic solvent of which boiling point is not more than 200 C. The treatment agent satisfies the following condition (1): 20A60. In the condition (1), A: a content amount (% by mass) of the glycol-based water-soluble organic solvent, of which boiling point is not more than 200 C., in an entire amount of the treatment agent for image recording.

There is provided a set including: a water-based ink for ink-jet recording including a dye and water; and a treatment agent including a cationic polymer emulsion which includes a cationic polymer including a urethane structure. There is provided a recording method for recording on a recording medium which is fabric or recording paper by using the set.

A set includes: a water-based black pigment ink for ink-jet recording; a water-based yellow dye ink for ink-jet recording; a water-based magenta dye ink for ink-jet recording; a water-based cyan dye ink for ink-jet recording; and a treatment agent. The water-based black pigment ink for ink-jet recording includes a carbon black and water; the water-based yellow dye ink for ink-jet recording includes a yellow dye and water; the water-based magenta dye ink for ink-jet recording includes a magenta dye and water; the water-based cyan dye ink for ink-jet recording includes a cyan dye and water; and the treatment agent includes a cationic polymer emulsion.

An ink set of the present teaching includes a water-based ink for ink-jet recording and a fixing agent. The water-based ink for ink-jet recording contains water and at least one of a direct dye and an acid dye, and the fixing agent contains a cationic compound represented by Formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein in Formula (1): R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are hydrocarbon groups each having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and are identical with each other or different from each other; and X.sup. is an anion.

There is provided an image forming method for forming an image on a recording medium which is fabric or recording paper by using an ink set including an ink and a treatment agent. In a case that the recording medium is the fabric, the image forming method includes: applying the treatment agent, which includes a cationic substance and a water-soluble organic solvent, to the fabric in an application amount of the treatment agent per an area of the fabric in a range of 4.7 mg/cm.sup.2 to 34 mg/cm.sup.2; drying the applied treatment agent and thereby reducing weight of the treatment agent in the fabric to be not more than 50% of the application amount of the treatment agent; and jetting the ink, which includes an anionic dye and a water-soluble organic solvent, onto the fabric by an ink-jet system.

There is provided a treatment agent applicable to a recording surface of a recording medium which is recording paper or fabric. The treatment agent contains: a non-cationic sizing agent; and at least one cationic substance which is selected from the group consisting of: a cationic polymer capable of forming a flexible film in a case that the cationic polymer is dried, a cationic surfactant, a polyvalent metal salt and a polyvalent metal ion.

Described herein are apparatuses and methods for dyeing garments. An exemplary apparatus comprises a dye injection system configured to dispense concentrated liquid dye; a dyeing machine comprising a dyeing chamber configured for dyeing at least one garment in a dyebath; and a controller in communication with the dye injection system and the dyeing machine, wherein the controller is configured: to receive at least one garment parameter corresponding to the at least one garment; based at least in part on the at least one received garment parameter, cause the dye injection system to dispense a volume of concentrated liquid dye containing an amount of dyestuff that can be substantially absorbed by the at least one garment; and cause the dyeing machine to execute a dye cycle such that substantially all of the dyestuff in the dispensed concentrated liquid dye is absorbed by the at least one garment within the dyeing chamber.

Functionalizing a fibrous material having a plurality of hydroxyl groups includes reacting the fibrous material with a compound of Formula I:

##STR00001##

where X is a monovalent counteranion for the quaternary ammonium cation of Formula I and Hal is a halogen atom, to obtain the functionalized fibrous material. Also provided is a functionalized fibrous material prepared by any one of the methods described herein (e.g., a functionalized fiber including a moiety of Formula II:

##STR00002##

having an odor of free amine below the threshold of detection, or having an odor of free amine with degree of offensiveness of about 3 or less. The functionalized fibrous material may be dyed, and articles of clothing may be made from the dyed functionalized fibrous material.

A treatment liquid composition for use in ink jet pigment textile printing and used by attaching it to fabric contains a cationic compound, at least one compound selected from polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyethylene oxides, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses, and polyvinyl alcohols, and water. The fabric contains polyester.