Inkjet printing ink composition

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink for ink jet textile printing which by itself can prevent dye settlement and nozzle plugging during delivery, can improve ink blotting (image clarity), can enhance the dye fixation of a printed cloth, and can give high washing resistance. SOLUTION: Thixotropy is imparted to an ink composition for ink jet textile printing by adding thereto a highly thixotropic carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt, namely, one having a mean particle diameter of 50 μm or below and a viscosity ratio of 0.20-0.60 as measured with a Brookfield viscometer at revolution speeds of 60 rpm and 6 rpm with a No. 4 rotor adjusted so as to fall in the range of 10,000 ±200 Pa s (25 deg.C, No.4 rotor, revolution speed of 30 rpm).