Impressions - March 2012 - (Page 64)

talking SHOP Tech Tips Ink Tips 1 w ith so many variables in the screen printing ink world, there are numerous small tips that can help you get the best prints possible when working with an array of inks. Here, we’ve complied four tips to make life easier in the ink room. TRY CURABLE REDUCER There may be many instances where the viscosity of an ink may need to be lightened or its printability may need to be adjusted. For such occasions, curable reducer is ideal. A curable reducer can be added without affecting the ink’s cure properties; therefore, there is no fear of adding too much reducer. Usually, 1% to 10% can be added (by weight) to adjust an ink’s viscosity. Please note that when working with a low-bleed ink, a curable low-bleed reducer should be used. Otherwise, thinning a low-bleed ink with a regular curable reducer will lessen its bleed 2 resistance. Add curable reducer for easier printing through high mesh counts or to create a print with a softer hand. REMEMBER LOW-CURE ADDITIVE If you are trying to print on heat-sensitive fabrics, such as 100% polyester athletic apparel or hard-to-print non-woven polypropylene bags, then a low-cure additive may be just what you need to be successful. A low-cure additive lowers the curing temperature of plastisol-based inks, thus preventing the fabric from melting or shrinking during the curing process when run through a dryer. A word of caution: Always test the fabric before starting a production run to see whether it is tolerant at the lower curing temperature (generally about 280°F, depending on the low-cure additive used). 3 READ THE LABEL! If you receive calls from irate customers telling you the ink they have been using for years is not working, be sure you have all the information. For example, I had a customer printing a jacket using a nylon ink series and had bleeding problems that he repeatedly experienced. Since it was a jacket, the customer said he always uses the nylon series inks. Nylon generally does not bleed, so he assumed the ink was the problem. However, after I asked ask him to read me what was printed on the jacket’s label, he realized the problem. The label read “100% polyester shell,” which — of course — would be prone to bleeding and would be best printed using a low-bleed type of ink. Remember, you can save a lot of time, misprints and money if you just read, read and read the label again. 4 A curable reducer can be added without affecting the ink’s cure properties. It can be used for easier printing through high mesh counts or to create a softer print hand. 64 Impressions | March 2012 USE THE RIGHT WHITE INK When printing on a 50/50 polyester/ cotton blend or 100% polyester fabric, be sure to use a bleed-resistant (or low-bleed) white ink, especially if the fabric is brightly colored or dark. Some printers do a quick bleed test and think it’s OK to use a cotton white ink, but remember that dye migration (or bleeding) may not occur until several days after printing. So start the job out correctly. Order the right ink and save yourself the headache. — Compiled from Kieth Stevens and John Levocz, International Coatings Inc. impressionsmag.com http://www.impressionsmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - March 2012

Impressions - March 2012
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
FYI
ISS Conferences
Product Gallery
What Women Want
Fashion Meets Function
The “Blingifi cation” of Decorated Apparel
Online Directory
Shop Spotlight
Shop Spotlight
Embroidery Technique
Embroidery Technique
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Tech Tips: Embroidery
Tech Tips: Embroidery
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Production
For Screen Printers Only
For Screen Printers Only
Tech Tips: Screen Printing
Tech Tips: Screen Printing
Digital Decorating
Digital Decorating
Business to Business
Business to Business
Classifieds
Classifieds
Ad Index
Ad Index

Impressions - March 2012