Smart colorants for garments: Smart colorants are those, which respond to differences temperature or light and environmental

conditions. They are called smart because they sense conditions in their environment and respond to those conditions. Initially, smart colorants were developed for specialized applications but now have become available for application on textiles / Garments. Smart colorants can be classified into three categories. Photo chromic color: Fabric color changes when exposed to sunlight or other source of UV radiation. Thermo chromic color: Fabric color changes with temperature Glow in the dark color: Fabric color glows in dark. Uses

On garment to create novel products and promotional items like T-Shirts On fabric/garment to print company logo/brand name to prevent duplication On garment for party wear, night clubs etc. Thermometers and temperature indicators. Security printing. Food industry to indicate temperature of packaged food.

Photo chromic color: Photo chromic color changes from clear when indoors to color when taken out-doors. The phenomenon produced in Photo chromic materials is called photochromism, where the change in color is due to incident light. Specifically, they exhibit color in response to exposure to sunlight or other source of UV radiation. UV light changes the chemical structure of the photo chromic material and makes it absorb color like a dye. It then reverts to a clear state when the UV source is removed.

However, to date, photochromism is most important for optical switching data and imaging systems, rather than in textile applications. Application of photo chromic colors on garment: Americos photo chromic colors are plastisol based ready to use off-white liquid. When exposed to UV radiation, color appears. These colors are available various hues. Photo chromic colors can be applied on garment by three methods: Spray Brush Screen Print In all the above methods, photo chromic colors are directly applied on garment and cured at 1500C for 30-90 seconds. Thermochromic colors: Color changing inks were introduced during the 1970s with novelty items such as cups that change color when not liquids such as coffee or tea are poured in to them.

Color changes of thermo chromic pigments are induced by a temperature change. When temperature rises to a specific temperature, the color changes. The color starts fading back to the original color as the pigment is cooled down.

Application of thermo chromic color on garment: There are fifteen thermo chromic colors like Americos Red, Magenta, Vermilion, Orange, Yellow, Yellow Green, Charm Green, Sky Blue, Turq Blue, Dark Blue, Violet, and Black. The temperature interval available from 0OC to 70OC. Specific demand can be set up for different temperature intervals from 2OC to 10OC. By using the above colors another color can be obtained but use different colors of thermo chromic pigments with the same temperature range to create more colors. Regular pigments can also be mixed with thermo chromic pigment so that the color can be changed from one to another. At lower temperature, the color reveals matched shade. When the temperature is increased, the thermo chromic pigments start fading to colorless. It only shows color of the regular pigments. By mixing the thermo chromic pigments with different temperature ranges, the color can be varied for more than two colors like temperature ranges for 3 color variation. Thermo chromic colors can be applied on garment by three methods. Spray Brush Screen Printing. In all the above methods, thermo chromic color are mixed with suitable binder As desired viscosity needed for application. After application, garment is dried and cured at 1500C for 5 minutes. Glow in the dark color: Glow in dark is basically phosphorescence, which can be defined as the emission of light by a luminescent pigment after excitation has ceased. Americos glow in dark colors hold its after glow for up to two hours. The after glow effect is dependent on pigment concentration, surface area and the amount of radiant energy absorbed Application of glow in the dark color on garment: Americos Glow in the dark color can be applied on garment by three methods Spray Brush Screen Printing. In all the above methods, Glow-in-the dark color is directly applied on garment And cured at 1500C for 5 minutes.