A pigment dispersion must do two different jobs: keep particles controlled in the liquid ink, and support a durable image after printing. In M-INKJET's application experience, grafted, self-dispersing surface-modified grades offer a stronger stability profile, while suitable polymer-encapsulated grades offer better dry and wet rubbing fastness—particularly in demanding polyester DTG applications.

This is a practical selection guide, not a universal ranking of every commercial grade. Polymer chemistry, pigment identity, the finished ink and the garment process can change the outcome. A dispersion is an ingredient for ink formulation, not a ready-to-use DTG ink.

1. What is the difference at the pigment surface?

Water-based surface-modified dispersions

The self-dispersing, grafted approach discussed here introduces chemically bonded hydrophilic or ionic functionality onto the pigment surface. Surface charge helps keep particles separated in water without relying only on a freely adsorbed conventional dispersant. This can support long-term stability and redispersibility within a compatible formulation. Cabot's surface-modified technology description explains this stabilization mechanism.

“Self-dispersing” does not mean “self-binding to fabric”. Nor does the name mean that the complete ink contains no polymer: a DTG formulation may still need a separate binder and other additives.

Encapsulated polymer dispersions

These systems use an engineered polymer layer or network around the pigment particles. Its chemistry can provide particle stabilization and contribute to printed-image durability. The layer's structure, coverage and compatibility matter; encapsulation is not a single standardized recipe. Cabot's encapsulated dispersion overview describes the roles of polymer selection and process control.

Encapsulation can also deliver excellent stability. For example, Fujifilm describes its cross-linked polymer-cage technology as a stable platform compatible with textile-ink binders. These industry examples explain the chemistry; they are not claims that M-INKJET supplies those manufacturers' products.

2. Advantages and limitations at a glance

The stability and fastness preferences below reflect M-INKJET's application experience. Both routes still require grade-specific testing.

Two routes, different formulation priorities
Selection pointSurface-modified, self-dispersingPolymer-encapsulated
Liquid stabilityOur preferred starting point when stability is the main priority. Bonded surface functionality supports particle separation.Can also be highly stable. Polymer design and compatibility with the final ink are decisive.
Dry and wet rubbingSurface stabilization alone does not provide garment fixation. Fastness depends strongly on the binder and process.Our preferred route for stronger dry and wet rub fastness in demanding polyester DTG projects, with matched binder and curing.
Formulation freedomAllows the dispersing function and fabric-binding system to be selected separately.The shell adds another functional design tool, but its interaction with the binder and additives must be checked.
Main checkspH, electrolyte and additive compatibility; adhesion and rubbing after cure.Polymer compatibility, viscosity, oversized particles, filtration and nozzle recovery, as well as fastness.
Best reason to chooseA stable ink platform that meets garment requirements with the selected binder system.A difficult fabric or durability target that benefits from the encapsulated grade.

Do not exchange the two dispersions one-for-one in an existing recipe. Pigment loading, polymer content, fluid properties and binder demand may differ. Neither technology automatically replaces the complete film-forming and fixation system.

3. Why polyester can favor encapsulation

In DTG, the pigment image must remain anchored to the garment after drying and curing. Polyester's surface and fabric finish can make wetting and fixation more demanding. A dispersion that stores and jets well can still produce a print that transfers color to a rubbing cloth.

For these applications, a suitable encapsulating polymer, working with the matched binder and pretreatment, can help build a more abrasion-resistant printed layer. This is why we often favor encapsulated grades where dry and wet rubbing on polyester are the limiting acceptance criteria. The benefit must be demonstrated on the actual fabric; it cannot be inferred from the word “encapsulated” alone.

Polyester also needs separate checks for dye migration, heat sensitivity, image quality and hand feel. Better rubbing fastness does not automatically solve these problems. Record pretreatment, white underbase, ink laydown and curing conditions, because changing them can change the result.

Published pigment inkjet research on cotton and polyester illustrates the importance of this distinction: pretreatment improved color intensity and gamut, yet dry and wet rubbing remained weak in the studied systems. That study is not a comparison of the two dispersion technologies, but it shows why attractive color alone is insufficient for qualification.

4. Where Ricoh G6 DTG fits

In many DTG applications we discuss, including Ricoh G6-equipped systems, the fabric requirement can still make an encapsulated dispersion necessary to reach the desired rubbing performance. This is especially relevant when a stable surface-modified formulation has not met the agreed polyester fastness target.

The decision is driven by the fabric and finished-ink system—not by the G6 name alone. Ricoh's textile application information covers DTG and natural and synthetic fabrics, and lists MH5320/MH5340 among its textile heads. It does not specify a universal requirement for encapsulated pigment dispersions.

Confirm the exact head version and printer manufacturer's fluid requirements. Then qualify the finished ink at its intended operating conditions: viscosity, surface tension, particle distribution, filtration, jetting, idle restart and continuous printing. A successful fabric test is not, by itself, proof of printhead compatibility or Ricoh approval.

5. How to choose with a useful sample trial

  1. Define the application. Identify the exact printer and head, fabric composition and finish, garment color, pretreatment, white layer and target hand feel.
  2. Separate chemistry screening from ink optimization. First compare candidates under controlled conditions. Then optimize each finished formulation; equal dispersion weights do not necessarily mean equal pigment or polymer content.
  3. Check liquid reliability. Compare initial and aged fluid properties, particle-size distribution, sedimentation, redispersibility and filtration under documented storage conditions. Include nozzle checks, idle recovery and a production-relevant print run.
  4. Measure dry and wet rubbing separately. Agree on a method, such as ISO 105-X12, with the testing laboratory or buyer. Record fabric, pretreatment, ink coverage, curing, conditioning and the separate results. Washing requires its own test plan.
  5. Approve the complete process. Retain the reference print and grade identity. Choose the formulation that meets both jetting reliability and finished-garment requirements, rather than selecting by dispersion terminology alone.
M-INKJET's practical recommendation

Start with surface-modified, self-dispersing dispersions when stability is the leading concern. For polyester DTG projects where dry and wet rubbing remain the bottleneck—including suitable Ricoh G6 setups—evaluate an encapsulated grade alongside the complete binder, pretreatment and curing system.

Our current DTG ink product page focuses on cotton and cotton-rich garments. Polyester is a separate application-development project; this article does not extend that product's claimed fabric scope.

Send M-INKJET your printer, exact printhead, fabric and fastness target to discuss grade matching and a sample qualification plan. For the commercial brief and product documents, see our textile ink buying guide.

Discuss a DTG qualification project ↗

Technical references and scope

Published technical references support the mechanisms and test framework. M-INKJET's comparative application guidance above is not a published numerical test report or a guarantee for every grade, fabric or printer.