BE1027015B1 - METHOD AND FORMULATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF PRINTED TEXTILE - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for preparing a pretreatment liquid. Also provided are a pre-treatment liquid, a pre-treated fabric, and a method for applying a pattern to a pre-treated fabric. The pretreatment liquid is prepared by a method that includes preparing a first mixture and a second mixture. The first mixture and the second mixture are then mixed together and further processed to form a pretreatment liquid.

Description

METHOD AND FORMULATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF PRINTED TEXTILE

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to methods and formulations for pretreating printed textiles.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of textiles are in use. These include carpets, mats, wipes, fabrics, curtains, bath linen, bed linen, etc. Textiles made of polyamide or polyester can be printed using a digital inkjet printer. Digital printing is usually done on the basis of so-called metal complex or acidic (for example end = FO3) dyes, paints or inks. However, such inks are often difficult to fix. Poor fixation leads to various challenges such as bleeding or washing out of color, fixation problems, color fading, insufficient water resistance, insufficient resistance to friction, contamination of wash water, color splitting, insufficient penetration into the yarn (especially for carpets that have a 3D structure. due to the height of the poles), etc. Also, old printing technologies commonly use a large amount of ink. The old technologies handle a pick-up of 100 to 1000% of the yarn weight.

SUMMARY The present invention provides a solution to the above challenges.

Thus, the inventors have surprisingly discovered that the poor fixation of various paints or inks is related to the pH of the inks, which currently have a high pH value, that is, a pH value higher than seven. Inks that have such a high pH value are often very difficult to fix on polyamide or polyester textiles.

Also, the inventors have surprisingly discovered that a pre-treatment as provided herein allows to print fabrics with a small amount of ink.

Provided herein is a method for preparing a pretreatment liquid, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) preparing a first mixture in a first container by:

a.i) adding a thickener (preferably a synthetic thickener) to water to form a mixture of thickener in water, preferably comprising from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum of 1.0 kg / l thickener;

b) preparing a second mixture in a second container by:

b.i) adding another thickener (preferably a natural thickener) to water to form a mixture of thickener in water which preferably comprises from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum of 1.0 kg / l thickener;

c) preparing a pretreatment liquid based on the first mixture and the second mixture by: ci) mixing the first mixture and the second mixture to form a combined mixture: c.ii) adding an acid to the combined mixture has a pH of minimum 2.5 to maximum 7; and,

ci) optionally, adding ammonium sulfate, preferably until the combined mixture comprises a minimum of 0.001 to a maximum of 0.1 kg / l ammonium sulfate;

thus obtaining a pretreatment liquid.

In some embodiments, step c) is followed by:

d) diluting the pre-treatment liquid obtained in step c), preferably by adding water having a volume equal to a minimum of 10.0% to a maximum of 300.0% of the volume of the pre-treatment liquid obtained in step c). In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d} has a hardness of up to 2.0 ° dH.

In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) is demineralized water.

In some embodiments, the thickener used in step a.i) is an oil-based thickener, preferably an oil-based synthetic thickener, more preferably an oil-based synthetic thickener selected from the list including acrylate and polyurethane.

In some embodiments, in step ai) the oil-based thickener is added to the water to form a mixture of thickener in water comprising from a minimum of 0.0020 kg / L to a maximum of 0.050 kg / L thickener, or from a minimum of 0.0050 kg / L to a maximum of 0.025 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.0080 kg / l to a maximum of 0.012 kg / l thickener.

In some embodiments, step a.i) is followed by: a.ii) stirring the first mixture of thickener in water.

In some embodiments, the thickener used in step b.i) is a natural thickener, preferably the thickener used in step b.i) is a guar or cellulose-based thickener, preferably a guar-based thickener.

In some embodiments, in step bi) the guar-based thickener is added to the water to form a mixture of thickener in water comprising from a minimum of 0.0050 kg / l to a maximum of 0.08 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.01 kg / l to a maximum of 0.05 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.02 kg / l to a maximum of 0.03 kg / l thickener.

In some embodiments, step b.i) is followed by: b.ii) stirring the second mixture of thickener in water.

In some embodiments, step c.iii) is followed by: c.iv) adding one or more additives selected from the list including preservatives and absorbents.

Further provided herein is a pretreatment liquid for a textile, preferably a carpet, comprising: water, preferably at least 0.80 kg / l water; synthetic thickener, preferably oil-based thickener, preferably a minimum of 0.00030 kg / l to a maximum of 0.10 kg / l oil-based thickener; natural thickener, preferably guar-based thickener, preferably a minimum of 0.00060 kg / l to a maximum of 0.10 kg / l guar-based thickener; and,

- optionally, ammonium sulfate, preferably a minimum of 0.0003 to a maximum of 0.1 kg / l ammonium sulfate; wherein the pretreatment liquid has a pH from a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 7.0, preferably wherein the pretreatment liquid was prepared by a method as described herein. Further provided herein is a method for pretreating a textile comprising the following steps: providing a textile; and, - applying a pre-treatment coating comprising the pre-treatment liquid as described herein. Further provided herein is a method for applying a pattern to a textile comprising the steps of: - pretreating the textile using a method as described herein; and, - printing a pattern on the textile. In some embodiments, the textile is a carpet, preferably the carpet comprises polyamide and / or nylon yarns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As used further in this text, the singular forms “a”, “the”, “it” include both the singular and the plural unless the context is clearly different. The terms "include", "includes" as further used are synonymous with "include", "include" or "include," include "and are inclusive or open and do not exclude additional, unspecified members, elements or process steps. The terms “comprise”, “comprises” include the term “contain”. The listing of numeric values by number ranges includes all values and fractions in these ranges as well as the quoted endpoints. The term "about", as used when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a time duration, and so on, is intended to include variations of +/- 10% or less, preferably +/- 5% or less, more preferably +/- 1% or less, and more preferably +/- 0.1% or less, of and from the specified value, as far as the variations are applicable to function in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the value to which the term "approximately" refers in itself 5 was also disclosed. All documents cited in the current specification are fully incorporated herein by reference. Unless defined otherwise, all terms disclosed in the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of skill in the art. As further guidance, definitions are included for further explanation of terms used in the description of the invention.

Provided herein is a method for preparing a pretreatment liquid. The method includes separately preparing a first mixture and a second mixture which are then combined. Both the first mixture and the second mixture comprise a thickener in water, the thickeners being different. This has the advantage that two thickeners that cannot be mixed together can still be incorporated together in a pre-treatment liquid. Providing the two different thickeners in the pre-treatment liquid allows a wider range of application methods on textiles, both digital and non-digital.

The method comprises step a), preparing a first mixture in a first container by ai) adding a thickener to water to form a mixture of thickener in water, preferably from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum of 0.10 kg. / l thickener, or that comprises from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum of 1.0 kg / l thickener. In some embodiments, the first blend has a viscosity greater than 2.0 mPa: s.

In some embodiments, the thickener used in step a.i) is an oil-based thickener. This thickener allows to control the viscosity. Preferably, an amount of thickener is selected so that the viscosity, as measured by a viscometer, of the final pretreatment liquid is from 1.0 to 1.5 mPa: s. Preferably it is an oil-based synthetic thickener. In other words, in some embodiments, this thickener is an oil-based synthetic thickener, also called a synthetic oil-borne thickener. A synthetic oil-based thickener has the advantage that it produces brilliant colors. Examples of oil-based synthetic thickeners are synthetic thickeners comprising acrylate and / or polyurethane. These oil-based synthetic thickeners are preferably liquid. This has the advantage that they are easy to use. These thickeners are also very stable in terms of properties.

In some embodiments, the oil-based synthetic thickeners have a low viscosity at low stresses, and a high viscosity at high stresses. In English this property is called “shear thickening”. In some embodiments, step a.i) is followed by step a.ii) stirring the first mixture of thickener in water. This improves the homogeneity of the first mixture. Stirring allows the oil-based thickeners to work more efficiently.

In some embodiments, in step ai) the oil-based thickener is added to the water to form a mixture of thickener in water comprising from a minimum of 0.0020 kg / L to a maximum of 0.050 kg / L thickener, or from a minimum of 0.0050 kg / L to a maximum of 0.025 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.0080 kg / l to a maximum of 0.012 kg / l thickener.

The method further comprises step b), preparing a second mixture in a second container by bi) adding another thickener to water to form a mixture of thickener in water, preferably containing from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum. 0.10 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum of 1.0 kg / l thickener.

In some embodiments, the thickener used in step b.i) is a natural thickener. Preferably, the natural thickener is added to the water in powder form. This thickener makes it possible to control the viscosity so that, for example, a viscosity of 1.0 to 1.5 mPa: s is achieved in the final pre-treatment liquid. In some embodiments, the thickener used in step b.i) is made of viscose. In some embodiments, the thickener used in step b.i) is a guar-based thickener. A guar-based thickener is extracted from beans and / or algae. An alternative to the guar-based thickener is natural cellulose (HEC) thickener. The advantage of these thickeners is that they have a special thixotropy: under stress they become less viscous, and at a standstill the viscosity builds up again very quickly. The English expression for such liquids is “shear thinning liquids”. In addition, the mentioned natural thickeners (be it guar-based or HEC thickener) are only acid sensitive to a limited extent, and are thus relatively stable in an acidic environment.

In some embodiments, step b.i) is followed by step b.ii) stirring the second mixture of thickener in water.

This improves the homogeneity of the second mixture.

In some embodiments, in step bi) the guar-based thickener is added to the water to form a mixture of thickener in water comprising from a minimum of 0.0050 kg / l to a maximum of 0.08 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.01 kg / l to a maximum of 0.05 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.02 kg / l to a maximum of 0.03 kg / l thickener.

The method further comprises step c), preparing a pretreatment liquid based on the first mixture and the second mixture by c.i) mixing the first mixture and the second mixture to form a combined mixture; c.ii) adding acid until the combined mixture has a pH of a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 7, preferably up to a maximum of 6.5; and optionally c.iii) adding ammonium sulfate, preferably until the combined mixture comprises a minimum of 0.001 to a maximum of 0.1 kg / l ammonium sulfate.

The inventors have surprisingly discovered that the mixture of synthetic and natural thickeners remains stable with the addition of the acid.

Preferably the acid is citric acid.

Optionally, the acid is acetic acid.

The more ammonium sulphate is added, the more expensive the pretreatment liquid becomes, but the faster the fixation time in a steamer, and thus the faster one can produce, or alternatively the smaller the steamer must be and thus the smaller the investment in the steamer.

In this way a pre-treatment liquid is obtained.

Preferably, the pretreatment liquid comprises both a synthetic oil-based thickener and a natural thickener (e.g. based on guar or HEC). This makes it possible to apply the pre-treatment liquid to the textile (for example a carpet) with a classic, non-digital, technique; and simultaneously performing the final printing / coloring of the textile with a digital printer, for example an inkjet printer.

The addition of ammonium sulphate has the advantage that it improves the fixation of dyes.

In some embodiments, the pretreatment liquid has a pH less than 3.0. Optionally, the pretreatment liquid in this embodiment does not include ammonium sulfate.

When the pretreatment liquid in this embodiment does not include ammonium sulfate, cold fixation may result.

By “cold fixation” is meant that colors fix very quickly on the textile, preferably the carpet. As a result, “mixing colors” do not completely mix on the carpet. For example, if you start with a pH of 3.0, then ammonium sulfate is not necessary, but cold fixation can occur. The term “cold fixation” means that the colors fixate too quickly on the carpet, so that “mixing colors” do not mix nicely on the carpet. This allows 2-tone effects to be obtained. In some embodiments, step c.iii) is followed by: c.iv) adding one or more additives selected from the list including preservatives and absorbents.

Pretreatment with the present pretreatment liquid improves the quality and stability of printed fabrics, especially carpets, which are printed with high resolution inks. It is to be understood that a pretreatment is a treatment that is applied before, preferably just before, printing.

The methods provided herein allow a yield of a minimum of 60% to a maximum of 150% of the yarn weight. Preferably the yield is a minimum of 100% to a maximum of 125%. The terms “yield” and “pick-up rate” as used herein have the same meaning. For example, a carpet of 300 grams of yarn per square meter preferably takes up from at least 180 grams of pretreatment liquid, to a maximum of 450 grams of pretreatment liquid. The term pick-up is explained as follows: for example. 300 g - yarn / m2 of carpet to be printed or dyed, approx. 31 paint / m2 is used in a method according to the state of the art. (31 / 0.3kg -> 1000%) To determine the pick-up, for example, a piece of carpet is weighed “dry” just before printing or dyeing and after printing or dyeing it is weighed again. The weight difference between the two weighings gives the pick-up. Sometimes the pick-up is also called the recording volume.

As stated above, the pretreatment liquid is acidic. Preferably, the pretreatment liquid has a pH of from minimum 2.5 to maximum 5.5, preferably from minimum 3.5 to maximum 4.0. This pH allows good fixation.

Preferably, the pretreatment liquid has a viscosity of from a minimum of 60 to a maximum of 230 cp, preferably from a minimum of 110 cp to a maximum of 130 cp. In other words, the pretreatment liquid preferably has a viscosity of at least 0.6 mPa: s to maximum

2.3 mPass, preferably from at least 1.0 mPa: s to a maximum of 1.3 mPa: s.

In some embodiments, step c) is followed by step d) diluting the pretreatment liquid obtained in step c) by adding water, which preferably has a volume equal to a minimum of 10.0% to a maximum of 300.0% of the volume of the pretreatment liquid obtained in step c). Providing a dilution step has the advantage that a concentrated mixture can be transported and diluted just before use.

This reduces transport costs.

In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) has a hardness of up to 2.0 ° dH (that is, up to 2.0 German degrees). In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) has a hardness of up to 1.5 ° dH, or up to 1.0 ° dH.

In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) is demineralized water.

In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) is distilled water.

In some embodiments, the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) is deionized water.

The use of demineralized, distilled, and / or deionized water has a positive effect on the stability of the thickeners.

A mixture is stable when the viscosity and / or the pH value remain constant for 1 hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, or 1 month, for example within a margin of error of 10%. Further provided herein is a pretreatment liquid for a textile, such as a carpet, preferably a pretreatment liquid prepared by a method as described herein.

It preferably comprises at least 0.80 kg / l water; minimum 0.00030 kg / l to maximum 0.10 kg / l oil-based thickener; minimum 0.00060 kg / l to maximum 0.10 kg / l guar-based thickener; and, optionally a minimum of 0.0003 to a maximum of 0.1 kg / l ammonium sulphate.

The pre-treatment liquid has a pH of a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 7.0. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment liquid comprises a minimum of 0.00060 kg / l to a maximum of 0.05 kg / l oil-based thickener, or a minimum of 0.0012 kg / l to a maximum of 0.025 kg / l oil-based thickener, or a minimum of 0.0025 kg / l to a maximum of 0.01 kg / l l oil-based thickener, or minimum 0.0050 kg / l to maximum 0.0075 kg / l oil-based thickener.

In some embodiments, the pre-treatment liquid comprises a minimum of 0.0012 kg / l to a maximum of 0.05 kg / l guar-based thickener, a minimum of 0.0025 kg / l to a maximum of 0.025 kg / l guar-based thickener, or a minimum of 0.0050 kg / l to a maximum of 0.010 kg / l guar-based thickener.

In some embodiments, the pre-treatment liquid comprises a minimum of 0.0006 to a maximum of 0.050 kg / l ammonium sulfate, a minimum of 0.0012 to a maximum of 0.025 kg / l ammonium sulfate, a minimum of 0.0025 to a maximum of 0.010 kg / l ammonium sulfate, or a minimum of 0.0050 to a maximum of 0.0075 kg / l ammonium sulfate In some embodiments, the pretreatment liquid includes an acid, for example, citric acid. This is an efficient way to obtain a suitable pH. In some embodiments, the pretreatment liquid comprises a minimum of 0.0005 kg / L to a maximum

0.05 kg / l citric acid, or minimum 0.001 kg / l to maximum 0.025 kg / l citric acid, or minimum

0.002 kg / l to a maximum of 0.001 kg / l citric acid, or a minimum of 0.004 kg / l to a maximum of 0.006 kg / l citric acid.

Further provided herein is a method for pretreating a textile. Preferably the textile is a carpet. The method comprises the following steps: providing a carpet; and, applying a pre-treatment coating comprising the pre-treatment liquid as described herein.

In this way a uniform pre-treatment coating is applied which is moreover stable over time. In particular, due to the pretreatment provided herein, basic inks (that is, inks with a pH greater than 7) can be efficiently fixed, reducing or even eliminating problems such as bleeding, washing out, and color fading.

In some embodiments, the pretreatment liquid is applied using a pre-printer. The pre-printer type is not critical. Pre-printers per se are well known in the art. The pre-printer is configured to print a pre-treatment layer before printing the pattern.

In some embodiments, the pre-treatment liquid is applied by means of a pressing roll, also called padding. Foulards are known in the art and are used in continuous dyeing processes.

In some embodiments, the pre-treatment liquid is applied using a lick roll / kissing roll. A lick roll is partially immersed in a bath of coating liquid and applies the coating liquid to the textile.

In some embodiments, the pretreatment liquid is applied with a spray system.

In some embodiments, the textile is a carpet and the carpet is printed using a pre-printer, pad, spray system (for example, the technique called “Spray painting” in English}, foam applicator, screen printing system (EN screen printing system), system for rotation printing (EN: rotation printing system), system for digital printing (EN: digital printing system), etc ... Preferably, the pre-treatment liquid on the one hand and the dyes are added to the pattern. to bring on the other hand, applied with different machines.

Preferably the textile, preferably the carpet, is printed with a resolution sharper than 150 dpi, preferably with a definition sharper than 120 dpi, preferably with a definition sharper than 100 dpi, more preferably with a definition that is sharper than 80 dpi.

In some embodiments, the textile includes polyamide and / or nylon yarns.

Preferably the textile is a carpet comprising polyamide and / or nylon yarns.

Further provided herein is a method of applying a pattern to a textile.

Preferably the textile is a carpet.

Preferably, the textile is a textile as described herein.

The method comprises the steps of: pretreating the textile using a textile pretreatment method as provided herein, and printing a pattern on the textile.

Thanks to the pre-treatment, there is good wetting (AND: wetting) of the yarn by the ink.

This allows printing with a very small amount of concentrated ink.

It is thanks to the pre-treatment provided here that a printed carpet of exceptionally high quality can be obtained.

In some embodiments, the pattern is applied using one or more basic inks.

In some embodiments, the pattern is applied to a 300 gram fabric or 300 gram cloth at a surface density of 20 ml / m 2 to 50 ml / m 2 of actives.

The term "actives" as used herein refers to the amount of colorant in the ink that is applied. The inventors surprisingly noted that after a pretreatment as provided herein, a 300 gm cloth could be printed at as little as 20-50 ml / m 2? "Active" substances, that is with only 20-50 ml / m? dyes.

EXAMPLES Example 1 By way of first example, a pretreatment process is described as provided herein.

First, two tanks of liquid are mixed separately. The order in which the mixture in tank 1 on the one hand and the mixture in tank 2 on the other hand is not important. It is important, however, that the synthetic and guar-based thickener are first mixed separately with water before the mixtures thus obtained are mixed together.

The following procedure is used to manufacture the mixture in Tank 1:

1. take approx. 50 liters of water (soft water, maximum hardness 7.0 ° dH, preferably maximum hardness 2.0 ° dH (German hardness, also dGH); any softened water is suitable - preferably demineralized water is used);

2. add approx. 0.5 kg of oil-based synthetic thickener; and,

3. mix until a homogeneous and stable mixture (emulsion) is obtained.

Suitable oil-based synthetic thickeners are acrylic and polyurethane.

The following procedure is used to prepare the mixture in Tank 2:

1. take approx. 50 liters of water (soft water, maximum hardness 2.0 ° dH (German hardness, also dGH); any softened water is suitable, preferably demineralized water is used);

2. Add about 1.0 to 1.5 kg of guar-based thickener (for example RANICHEMIE AD26E; the exact amount depends on the required viscosity, and depends on the method by which the pre-treatment liquid is applied to the fabric. appropriate amount to obtain an even and well-spread pretreatment layer); and,

3. mix to obtain a homogeneous and stable mixture.

Then the mixtures of tank 1 and tank 2 are mixed together. The mixture thus obtained is further processed using the following steps:

1. About 2 liters of acid are added to give the mixture a pH of 2.5 to 7; preferably an aqueous solution of citric acid at a concentration of about 40% by volume is used (alternatively, the percentage of citric acid refers to the active content of citric acid in the aqueous solution of citric acid);

2. add about 2 kg of ammonium sulphate; and,

3. optionally, add further additives, for example preservatives or absorbents (EN: absorbers); the absorbers are “wetting agents” that ensure that the dyes absorb better in the yarns.

The thus obtained mixture can be stored for a considerable period of time, for example 1 month, before use.

Shortly before use, the mixture is diluted with approx. 100 liters of water, which is a volume approximately equal to the volume of the aforementioned mixture. In particular, soft water is used with a maximum hardness of 2.0 ° dH (German hardness, also dGH). Any type of softened water is suitable. Preferably demineralized water is used. In this way a dilute mixture is obtained.

These diluted mixtures are extremely suitable for a pre-treatment for printing carpets. Indeed, after a pre-treatment as provided herein, a 300 gram cloth (that is a cloth comprising 300 grams of yarn per square meter of carpet) can be printed with barely 20-50 ml / m ° "active" substances. This is in contrast to techniques from the state of the art, where for a 300gr cloth 3 liters of ink / m? should be used, the ink being a mixture of pure dyes, thickeners, additives, and water.

It is thanks to the pre-treatment provided here that a printed carpet of exceptionally high quality can be obtained.

Claims (15)

CONCLUSIONS (revised) A method for preparing a pretreatment liquid, the method comprising the steps of: a) preparing a first mixture in a first container by: ai) adding a synthetic thickener to water to form a mixture of thickener in water containing from a minimum of 0.0010 kg / l to a maximum of 1.0 kg / l thickener; b) preparing a second mixture in a second container by: b.i) adding another thickener, being a natural thickener, to water to form a mixture of thickener in water of at least 0.0010 kg / l up to 1.0 kg / l thickener; c) preparing a pretreatment liquid based on the first mixture and the second mixture by: ci) mixing the first mixture and the second mixture to form a combined mixture: C.ii) adding an acid to the combined mixture has a pH of minimum 2.5 to maximum 7; and, ci) optionally, adding ammonium sulfate until the combined mixture comprises a minimum of 0.001 to a maximum of 0.1 kg / l ammonium sulfate; thus obtaining a pretreatment liquid. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) is followed by: d) diluting the pretreatment liquid obtained in step c) by adding water having a volume equal to a minimum of 10.0% to a maximum of 300.0% of the volume. of the pre-treatment liquid obtained in step c). The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water used in any of steps a), b}, and / or d} has a hardness of up to 2.0 ° dH. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water used in any of steps a), b), and / or d) is demineralized water. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickener used in step ai) is an oil-based thickener, preferably an oil-based synthetic thickener, more preferably an oil-based synthetic thickener selected from the list comprising acrylate and polyurethane. The method of claim 5, wherein in step ai) the oil-based thickener is added to the water to form a mixture of thickener in water comprising from a minimum of 0.0020 kg / l to a maximum of 0.050 kg / l thickener, or of a minimum of 0.0050 kg / l to a maximum of 0.025 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.0080 kg / l to a maximum of 0.012 kg / l thickener. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein step a.i) is followed by: a.ii) stirring the first mixture of thickener in water. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickener used in step bi) is a natural thickener, preferably wherein the thickener used in step b.i) is a guar or cellulose-based thickener. The method of claim 8, wherein in step bi) the guar-based thickener is added to the water to form a mixture of thickener in water comprising from a minimum of 0.0050 kg / L to a maximum of 0.08 kg / L of thickener, or of a minimum of 0.01 kg / l to a maximum of 0.05 kg / l thickener, or from a minimum of 0.02 kg / l to a maximum of 0.03 kg / l thickener. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein step b.i) is followed by: b.ii) stirring the second mixture of thickener in water. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein step c.iii} is followed by: c.iv) adding one or more additives selected from the list comprising preservatives and absorbents. 12. A pre-treatment liquid for a textile, preferably a carpet, comprising: - water, preferably at least 0.80 kg / l water; synthetic thickener, preferably oil-based thickener, preferably minimal 0.00030 kg / l to a maximum of 0.10 kg / l oil-based thickener; natural thickener, preferably guar-based thickener, preferably minimal 0.00060 kg / l to a maximum of 0.10 kg / l guar-based thickener; and, optionally, ammonium sulfate, preferably a minimum of 0.0003 to a maximum of 0.1 kg / l ammonium sulfate; wherein the pretreatment liquid has a pH from a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 7.0, the pretreatment liquid being prepared by a method according to any of claims 1 to 11. 13. A method for pretreating a textile, comprising the following steps: - providing a textile; and - applying a pre-treatment coating comprising the pre-treatment liquid according to claim 12. A method for applying a pattern to a textile, comprising the steps of: - pretreating the textile using a method according to claim 13; and, - printing a pattern on the textile. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the textile is a carpet, preferably wherein the carpet comprises polyamide and / or nylon yarns.