Abstract: Sepiolite is a kind of non-metallic clay mineral with a wide range of uses. The properties of rheology, suspension, thickening and dispersing of sepiolite make it possible to be applied in printing paste. A new printing paste was prepared with low grade sepiolite and sodium alginate through compounding. The application results showed that the new printing paste could be used in printing of towel fabric, when the compound proportion of sepiolite and sodium alginate was 3∶7, 4∶6 and 5∶5. Moreover, the printing effect would be optimal, when the proportion was 4∶6. The new paste is not only safe and environmentally friendly, non-toxic and harmless to the environment and the human body, but also stable and low-cost.

Key words: paste; sepiolite; printing; towel