Definition
Calico printing refers to the commercial or industrial printing of patterns, colors, or designs onto cotton woven fabrics (calico). The term derives from the Arabic word قطن (qatan) for cotton and designates both the craft process and the industry that established itself as a distinct sector in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Print sharpness varies according to the weave structure and thread count of the cotton fabric used: finer fabrics allow more precise reproduction of outlines than coarser qualities. Historically, various printing methods were employed, including block printing, roller printing, and later screen printing.
Use in the textile industry
In the textile industry, calico printing has been used — and continues to be used — for the production of patterned cotton fabrics for apparel, home textiles, and fashion fabrics. Typical products include printed dress and blouse fabrics, bed linen, and decorative fabrics. The suitability of cotton woven fabrics for textile printing is based on their good color absorption and the ability to permanently fix reactive and pigment printing inks.
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