Impressions - September 2013 - (Page 35)

3 and under, there are six banned phthalates, including DEHP, DBP and BBP — which are permanently banned — and DINP, DIDP and DnOP, which are banned on an interim basis. For more information on CPSIA, visit sgia.org. TEXTILE INK OPTIONS We’ve been spoiled by using plastisols that won’t dry in the screen, and a general rule of thumb when selecting any ink system is for the ink to stay open in the screen for an eight-hour production cycle. Photo courtesy of Stahls’ DFC of chemicals to improve safety and the health of American workers. ❙ Oeko-Tex Standard 100 was introduced in the early 1990s as a response to consumers’ needs regarding textile decoration safety concerns and provide a uniform testing system worldwide. For more information, visit oeko-tex.com. ❙ REACH is the regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals that outlines European Union (EU) requirements regarding the control of chemicals. It covers everything from minute particles the eye impressionsmag.com cannot see to any printing method. Under this regulation, many chemicals will be withdrawn from the market so ink formulators and other product manufacturers will have to change, and the associated costs will be passed down the supply chain. For more information on REACH, visit fespa.com/planet-friendly.html. ❙ The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) outlines the mandate that products for children ages 12 and under be decorated with inks with a lead content less than 100 parts per million. Regarding products for toddlers ages Phthalate-Free Plastisol Ink: The majority of garment printers in the United States currently use PVC-based, phthalatefree plastisol ink. Most ink manufacturers offer this ink system because it conforms with CPSIA guidelines and meets the 100 parts-per-million lead levels as outlined above. Unless we see a major industry shift away from PVC-based ink, these current phthalate-free plastisols will remain the most popular type of textile ink for garment decorators for many years to come. “If screen printers were given the choice, they would all stay with plastisol,” says Ray Smith, senior print applications specialist, Wilﬂex/PolyOne, Kennesaw, Ga. “But the choice is not always theirs to make now that major sporting goods retailers, [for example], are requesting PVCfree inks.” Rick Davis, southeastern regional sales manager, Triangle Ink Co., Wallington, N.J., agrees. “The textile screen printers that are utilizing PVC-free inks are typically those printing for the large athletic companies who are now demanding a PVC-free product,” he says. “A majority of the industry still is printing with conventional plastisol inks. There has, however, been a strong interest and drive toward high-opacity water-based systems, as well as discharge inks. This is for printers looking for a softer hand, as well as PVC-free alternative. It is this demand from the printing community that has the ink manufacturing companies looking into alternative technologies.” September 2013 | Impressions 35 http://www.sgia.org http://www.oeko-tex.com http://www.fespa.com/planet-friendly.html http://www.impressionsmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - September 2013

Impressions - September 2013
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
FYI
Product Gallery
ISS Conferences
Outdoor Outfitting
Beat the Heat
Today’s Textile Ink Options
Shop Spotlight
Shop Spotlight
Embroidery Technique
Embroidery Production
Tech Tips Embroidery
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Screen Printing Technique
Online Directory
Tech Tips Screen Printing
Digital Decorating
Classifieds
Ad Index

Impressions - September 2013