Research on Sustainable Textile Green Printing Design Incorporating Calligraphy Culture

Pengyue Zhang

Article
2025 / Volume 8 / Pages 1179-1195
Received 9 July 2025; Accepted 30 July 2025; Published 30 December 2025
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2025.1179

Abstract
This research addresses the high pollution and cultural disconnection in the traditional textile industry by proposing a sustainable green printing design that incorporates Chinese calligraphy. The method utilizes the natural plant dyes gardenia yellow and indigo with digital inkjet printing technology on silk and cotton/linen fabrics. The process involved the digital deconstruction and reconstruction of calligraphic elements to create unique textile patterns. In this study, the natural dyeing process was optimized, using different mordants to expand the color spectrum. The resulting eco-friendly inks were physically stable and suitable for digital printing. Performance tests confirmed the success of this approach. The printed fabrics exhibited satisfactory color fastness properties; specifically, washing fastness on silk reached grade 4 and dry friction fastness reached grades 4–5, demonstrating significant potential for commercial apparel applications. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis showed that dye particles attached evenly to the fibers, preserving the fabric’s original texture and breathability. Most significantly, the process demonstrated substantial environmental benefits. Compared to traditional screen printing, it reduces water consumption by up to 90% (eliminating screen washing) and reduces Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) emissions by more than 85%. Although post-treatment requires energy for heat fixation, the overall process offers a vast improvement in environmental performance. This study successfully merges intangible cultural heritage with green manufacturing, providing a viable technical path for developing high-value-added, environmentally friendly textiles with distinct cultural appeal.

Keywords
sustainable design, green dyeing, natural dyes, calligraphy culture, digital inkjet dyeing