Impressions - January/February 2022 - 47

In the old days, we would spend half a day using
harsh and toxic solvents to remove the spray
adhesive buildup after thousands of prints.
With today's technology, that's not necessary.
Step 6
Prepping Pallets
After continuous printing, pallets can get dirty and need to
be cleaned. In the old days, we would spend half a day using
harsh and toxic solvents like MEK or Xylol to remove the
spray adhesive buildup after thousands of prints. With today's
technology, that's not necessary.
Step 5: Prep the pallets by covering them with what's called
a pallet peel protector (or pallet tape). This paper product has
a removable adhesive on it - similar to masking tape, except
it's much wider. It covers the pallet and makes it easier to clean
after printing. Now, you can simply cover the pallet with pallet
paper, peel it off at the end of a print job, re-cover the pallet
with new paper and start another job.
Pallet Adhesive
Many printers use the standard spray adhesive that comes in a
can, which is convenient. However, there are newer adhesive
products available on the market for you to try.
Step 6: Instead of spray adhesive, try using a water-based
adhesive. It's a white glue that can be spread onto the pallet
and stays tacky for an extended period of time. It can be wet
repeatedly to activate the tackiness for extended use.
Simply apply a bead of the water-based adhesive onto the
pallet paper and use a piece of cardboard or another type of
scraper to spread the adhesive onto the pallet, concentrating
around the image area. Then, let it dry and you're good to go.
Some printers do this step just before they take a break to allow
sufficient time for the adhesive to dry. Large print shops often
OFF -CONT A CT GUIDELINES
1. The screen should peel off due to the correct off-contact
setting, not because you lift it after printing.
2. Thicker ink requires more off-contact.
3. In any case, the screen should peel off the substrate. If it
doesn't, then more off-contact is needed.
4. If a screen is too loose and not as tight as it should be, it will
require more off-contact.
5. If you flash a white underbase and print a color on top, then
more off-contact may be needed for the color to peel away
from the flashed (gelled) white underbase - unless you allow
the white print to cool after flashing.
can skip the wait when they're in full production mode because
the pallets may be so hot from all the flashing, the adhesive dries
as soon as it's applied. 
Kieth Stevens is the Western regional sales manager for International
Coatings. He has been screen printing for more than 42 years
and teaching screen printing for more than 12 years;
is a regular
contributor to International Coatings' blogs; and won SGIA's 2014 Golden Image
Award. He can be reached at kstevens@iccink.com. For more information, visit
iccink.com and read the company's blog at internationalcoatingsblog.com.
JAN./FEB. 2022
P.47
http://www.iccink.com http://www.internationalcoatingsblog.com
Impressions - January/February 2022

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