Article: Colour fixation process and colour fastness improvement strategies for natural plant dyes in functional clothing fabrics Journal: International Journal of Materials and Product Technology (IJMPT) 2026 Vol.70 No.6 pp.3 - 26 Abstract: The application of natural plant dyes in functional textiles is limited by poor colour fastness and difficulty in colour fixation. Functional additives can reduce fibre surface polarity, shield active sites, and hinder dye uptake. Traditional metal mordant dyeing methods also carry the risk of chemical interference with functional components, compromising performance stability. This study proposes an optimised colour fixation method. First, plant dyes compatible with functional fabrics are selected, and dyeing parameters are adjusted to ensure uniform dye penetration into the fibres. Then, a customised fixing agent is used to enhance dye-fibre bonding through high-temperature steam and mild chemical crosslinking. Dyeing conditions (such as pH, time, and temperature) are further optimised to improve colour fixation. Results show that after 25 washes, the antibacterial fabric achieves a wash fastness of 2.7, with a dye residue rate of 70.1%. The light fastness remains at 3.9 (initial value: 5) after 120 hours of exposure, and the antibacterial rate remains at 91.6% after washing. This method effectively improves colour durability while preserving the fabric's functional properties. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Colour fixation process and colour fastness improvement strategies for natural plant dyes in functional clothing fabrics

Authors: Jiaheng Han; Zicheng Zhang; Jiang Chang

Addresses: Department of Fashion Design, Tangshan University, Tangshan, 063000, Hebei, China ' School of Design, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK ' School of Design, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK

Abstract: The application of natural plant dyes in functional textiles is limited by poor colour fastness and difficulty in colour fixation. Functional additives can reduce fibre surface polarity, shield active sites, and hinder dye uptake. Traditional metal mordant dyeing methods also carry the risk of chemical interference with functional components, compromising performance stability. This study proposes an optimised colour fixation method. First, plant dyes compatible with functional fabrics are selected, and dyeing parameters are adjusted to ensure uniform dye penetration into the fibres. Then, a customised fixing agent is used to enhance dye-fibre bonding through high-temperature steam and mild chemical crosslinking. Dyeing conditions (such as pH, time, and temperature) are further optimised to improve colour fixation. Results show that after 25 washes, the antibacterial fabric achieves a wash fastness of 2.7, with a dye residue rate of 70.1%. The light fastness remains at 3.9 (initial value: 5) after 120 hours of exposure, and the antibacterial rate remains at 91.6% after washing. This method effectively improves colour durability while preserving the fabric's functional properties.

Keywords: natural plant dyes; functional clothing fabrics; colour fixation process; colour fixing agent formulation; dyeing process.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2026.155354

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2026 Vol.70 No.6, pp.3 - 26

Received: 26 Sep 2025
Accepted: 02 Apr 2026
Published online: 30 Jul 2026 *

Title: Colour fixation process and colour fastness improvement strategies for natural plant dyes in functional clothing fabrics

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