For example, cotton can absorb moisture. Printers can flash at their normal times, if not faster. It allows you to have more time to mess around with belt speed and temperature, so can fine-tune your curing process. STANDARD CURE TEMP PLASTISOL INK. Faster fusing or low cure inks will reach their fusion or cure temperatures more quickly than conventional inks. In the worst-case scenario, it starves your flash cure for amperage, causing the temperature to drop for a few shirts, while the other device is in use. Yes, Plastisol is like baking a cake. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Sign up below for tutorials, industry news and flash sales. Hover the heat press right above the print to let the heat evaporate the water content. place a Teflon sheet over your design while curing. Keep in mind that thicker ink deposits (e.g., High Density) take more time to reach their specified cure/fusion temperatures. Sign up for our newsletter and get $10 off your first order of $50+. Curious about the differences? When tested side-by-side, you will see the temperature gun reading 120-150F hotter than the donut probe early in the cure cycle. Phthalate Compliant (1) Metallic Inks Uv ink should be cured by UV light or under the sun. (All images courtesy Kolormatrix). You can use low temp cure ink on all materials, no need for an extra inkfor different materials. Though plastisol inks require heating to around 140160C to fully cure and develop resistance properties, (dependent on the ink system), there is a stage reached at between 90120C when the plastisol has no resistance properties but is dry to the touch. Once you have finished printing, use the heat gun to evaporate the water from the ink. Remember, we are here to help! Epic Armor LC Blocker Dye migration blocker for polyesters, available in black and gray Performance LC White Ink Combines low cure, low bleed chemistry with stretch for polyester Polywhite LC Ink by adding 10% Curable reducer, the adhesion properties of the plastisol increase so that the ink may adhere to the polyester fabric. Keep going. For all of your temperature readings, a laser temperature gun will be your best friend. If the design area is big, maintaining even heat all over the design is tough. Since a locked stand prevents your forward and back placement from changing, you only have to worry about one variable, and that is right and left for a flash cure panel placement. Now there are other helpful tools such as a donut probe but it is going to cost you upwards of $100, which we know can be a hard buy for most printers starting off. A platen that can hold heat means it's quicker to achieve full cure since the garment is receiving heat from above and below. 2004-2023 Ryonet Corporation.Powering The Print. These will tell you the surface temperature of your ink and allow you to do it quickly and accurately. Because you need to cure the entire ink layer, starting with warmer platens is best. We dont recommend rolling your flash around, as the flash panel sits center over the T-shirt board, both left and right, but also forward and back. Introducing Wilflex Epic Rio RFU Standard Colors - 33 popular, flexible cure inks. Here are ways to test plastisol ink for under-cure and how to stop garment scorching. Once the ink reaches the cure temp, it's ready to be tested. Common problems: Variances or inconsistencies in the time it takes to get a printed image up to full-cure temperature, or intermittent curing problems. Lowers the curing or fusion temperatures of most plastisol based inks to less than 300F (149 C) Used when printing onto temperature sensitive fabrics such as 100% polyester or non-woven polypropylene bags; For use on 100% cotton, poly/cotton blends and 100% polyester; Will lower the flash times for most plastisol based inks; SPECIFICATIONS: When curing with a flash dryer, the type of platens you use are also important. Note: You can cure your screen print in different ways. The addition of OP396 to Advantage ON inks is not recommended. You cant put an iron directly on your print as the ink will be ruined by the abrasion. Don't pull too hard on it, or you can split the ink layer. The tape will indicate the peak temperature of the garment within the dryer. Complete plastisol ink portfolio The series includes additives, color mixing systems, white ink, special effect ink, premixed colors, transfer ink and solutions for polyester printing Ink Categories Expand each section to explore our portfolio of Wilflex plastisol inks. There's no true understanding of the actual temperature the heat gun is emitting. It is possible that your t-shirt is burned if the heat is high.100% polyester fabric starts melting approximately at 480-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Curing with a flash dryer takes a little bit of experience to dial in, but can be another way to cure prints without a conveyor dryer. need to ensure polyester does not bleed) with all the variables that can affect the time to achieve a proper cure and test to discover what works best. Over-flashing inks can cause inter-coat adhesion problems and make the inks very "tacky". Curing Instructions: These inks will fully cure when the entire thickness of the ink deposit reaches 300F (149C). A flash dryer is a versatile piece of equipment and can be used in many ways, no matter how small your shop is. Air temperature and humidity are major issues, so be sure to dry your ink in a safe controlled environment. In colder weather you may need to increasing the dryer temperature, or allowing the ink to pass through a bit longer than one minute. Is it near doors and windows in your shop? This is usually around 30-40 seconds. and our It will be a trial-and-error process. Again, make sure your platens are warm as well. These can help you better control your flash cure process. Cookie Notice twostage curing of plastisol inks. Pull out your laser temperature gun and aim it at the middle of the print. Ink film split happens when the ink layer is stretched further than its capabilities. "Same Day Shipping" means that the order will leave our warehouse on the Same Day purchased! If youve been printing already, your flash should be good to go. You are no longer limited to cotton textile printing. The temperature that an ink cures at means that ink needs to reach that temp from the top to the bottom layer. Print on a few garments and dial in details before printing the final product. Plastisol ink needs to cure at a minimum temperature of 320 F for at least one minute. Johnson Plastics Plus Highlights Roland Printers/Cutters in Webinar, New Products and Training Highlight GRAPHICS PRO EXPO in Charlotte Next Week, Registration Open for GPX Portland, Oregon, Free Training at GRAPHICS PRO EXPO Charlotte, Orbus Kara Barker Named PPAF Board President, Kernow Coatings Enters Partnership with OKI Europe and Baker Materials, Converting a Childs Drawing to an Engraving, How to Design a Cartoon Sticker From Any Photo, How to Correctly Remove Vinyl Lettering and Decals. ?Although it is true you might be able to get the ink hot enough, a flash cure unit is not a good substitute for a properly operating dryer. Ranar manufactures the DX200 ScampT-Shirt Dryer,which is aconveyor dryer and one of the best options on the market in terms of price and versatility. Should You Go Auto or Hire Another Printer? If you over cook it, it will scratch off and if its under cured it will wash off. You are looking to deliver as much heat with as little room for heat loss as possible. All rights reserved. Shops need a flash dryer for printing multiple colors, so some will also use it as a curing device. Yes and no. That temperature is provided on your specific ink's product bulletin. Heat gun is good enough for starters. Remember that it is important that the entire ink film thickness reach the specified cure/fusion temperature. Make sure to test out each new job before going into production. Other inks can produce a softer feel. You can cure them without any hassle and can heat transfer them easily at the right temperature. Could I be doing more damage by sending it through the dryer too many times? Let us all recognize that not everyone has the same budget to start off with so tools may be different and that is ok. When curing regular plastisol everyone says it cures at roughly 320. Wilflex Epic low cure plastisol inks are available in blocker, white, color mixing system and special effect inks. (Friendly reminder that the entire ink layer needs to hit cure temp. The low-bleed inks are recommended for printing on cotton/polyester REDUCERS CURABLE REDUCER 10070RED: Viscosity reducer that will cure at standard plastisol cure temperatures (320 F/160 C), which ensures that you can lower ink viscosity without fear of cure problems. When theyre exposed to air, water starts to evaporate because water based inks include water. When preparing the transfer paper for plastisol transfer, the ink is allowed to partially cure on the paper so that it stays printed on even after a long time in storage. Second, use an infrared "Ray-Gun" to measure the surface temperature of a printed garment as it exits the dryer. If your garments pass the wash test, then you definitely know your ink is cure properly. Plastisol ink is the most widely use ink in the garment printing business. Temperature: Not all fabrics require the same curing temperature. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The 2023 Shirt Lab Summit begins tomorrow! Thanks for your time and help. A printer can perform two tests on a garment to double-check that the ink has fully cured. Common problems: Intermittent or consistent curing problems or images fade or wash out. After your ink has reached cure temperature, let it cool down. on Orders Over $250, A problem that most silkscreen/screen printers have and a question we get asked a lot is Why is my plastisol ink coming off during the wash?. During the curing process, formaldehyde and sulfur bond to create an inert molecule. Free shipping for many products! 7600 Series inks . Think of the tunnel as a bullseye on a dartboard. For most jobs, a 16x16 or 18x18 flash will fit the bill. Plastisol ink, which is essentially liquid plastic, cures at about the same temperature but typically only will take a minute or so. To cure effectively, they must be expose to temperatures between 300 and 330 degrees Fahrenheit (143 and 166 degrees Celsius) (dried). The plastisol was not cured properly if the ink is cracking. They should be "flashed" when printing in sequence. If the ink cracks or parts fall off, it wasn't properly cured. You will still need to perform tests on it to see if it has fully cured. Try to imagine what the person wearing this shirt will be doing while wearing it, and stretch it accordingly during the test. It may look cured, but you won't know for sure until you test it. Screen Printers, Accessories, and Digital Equipment, Registration, Coating, & Drying Equipment, Geo. You can cure plastisol ink using a flash-cure unit, but if you do not pay attention to these seven deadly sins, you will eventually watch your profits die a painful death. Draw an imaginary line between the dock/back door and the front/office door. It's possible to get some sections too hot where they bubble, while other sections don't reach cure temp. Keep in mind all equipment is different so some may experience different curing times. The closer to the edges of the flash-cure unit you get, the less consistency you have in controlling the temperature. Curing ink screen printing with a regular Hairdryer, article on how to heat set screen printing ink with heat press. After curing is done stretch the area of your design. The absolute best way to confirm cured ink is with a wash test. Cons The ink is not pigmented. Using a heat gun is an inexpensive way to apply heat to ink, but how effective is it? Sign up below for tutorials, industry news and flash sales. However, it can vary on a design basis. So first there are 4 tools you can use to cure your ink. Curable reducer is a premium ink reducer that reduces the viscosity of plastisol ink, it lowers the fusion temperature, helps in bonding to polyester fabric, and gives a softer feel to the plastisol ink. A heat press is a no-can-do for discharge ink. Curable Reducer is an An oven is a machine that most people have in their homes. But it is better to have a heat press machine or flash dryer as quickly as possible. How Do You Know it's Time to Upgrade to an Automatic Screen Printing Press? Water-based inks need air movement to effectively drive the water out of the ink and move the steam outside the dryer so that the heat can cure the ink. There are low-heat plastisol ink options that cure at about 270 degrees, but you should always double-check the packaging and product that you're using before you begin working. Its a fantastic way to cure inks because it provides a stable heat source. The rise and fall of the ink temperature may be significantly different than that of the garment or the surrounding air. Make sure you're holding it directly above the print. The full cure temperature for the OP/ON Trichromatic ranges is 160C. Centris Plastisol Inks; Axeon Non-PVC Inks; View All; Info 13929 E 166th St Cerritos, CA 90703 Call us at (800) 423-4103. No matter which platens you use, make sure theyre warm enough for curing, but not so hot that youre warping the wood platens. Curing by using household available tools. If you touch the printed design and the ink is not coming off with your hand now is the time your heat it with your iron. Heat is a machine thats an expert in heat transfer. Before you print someone's order, always test. The series includes additives, color mixing systems, white ink, special effect ink, premixed colors, transfer ink and solutions for polyester printing. If the ink is not cured properly, cure it again. Josh uses FN-INK for this job, which cures at 260F. Maxopake-Gallon & Quart Union Ink Low-Cure Barrier Inks Try not to use an oven for curing prints as cooking in that oven can be health-damaging. Curing water-based ink is the same here as it was for the heat gun. There are many variables that can cause problems with ink curing. PROCEDURE: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the towel in the oven and immediately turn off the heat. - Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing Fabric - Low Temperature Curing Plastisol by Screen Print Direct - Fast Cure Ink for Silk trn Amazon M chnh hng 2023 | Giaonhan247 Premixed athletic colors designed to meet the changing demands in the athletic market, Wilflex Epic Top Score features premixed athletic colors designed to meet the changing demands in the athletic market. Set the Dryer for 'Cotton/High' and dry for 30 minutes. Drop a comment below or email our support team at [email protected]. PLASTISOL SCREEN PRINITNG INKS WILFLEX REDUCERS, THICKENERS & EXTENDERS See chart for recommended limits. A lot of people ask, "Can I use a heat press to cure my ink?" Water-based ink like Green Galaxy will cure between 300-320F. If it is not centered, it will result in uneven curing. This tilt will also create a cooler climate and deliver less heat near the top of your printed image, which is next to the stand of your flash cure. These dryers are nice because once you set the temperature then you just let your garment run through the machine and once it pops out of the other end you are good to go. Texopaque Classic OP inks to modify colour strength. Apply heat to the garment until it's dry to the touch. This is a good place to start off with for curing. To avoid warping your platens with the constant heat from a flash dryer, set up a separate curing station next to your press. Cracking ink means it wasn't completely cured. Some plastisol inks cure at 320F. Water-based inks provide a thin layer of soft and flexible ink on the printed shirt. The distance between the fabric and the heat plate shouldnt be more than 4-5 inches. The same idea applies to testing cured ink. Remember, the more powerful your flash is and the closer your flash is to the shirt, the faster it will cure the ink or potentially scorch your garment. Using a construction level laid across the top of your flash cure, you want to make sure that your flash-cure panel is level and running parallel to your platen or T-shirt board. Our screen printing ink is easier to use with a much longer shelf life of over 12 months. Heat penetration goes faster because it's not adhered to the platen, which would soak up heat. The shorter the dryer, the tinier the bullseye. At this time we aren't aware of waterbased polyester inks, but hopefully they're on the horizon! Not a good idea - don't do it! Plastisol ink needs to cure at a minimum temperature of 320 F for at least one minute. Heat guns are great for prints on small areas like the chest. But these days many use it as a dryer for their print on garments. This much heat is enough for curing your ink properly. Free shipping is applicable in the domestic USA only. Products 1-24 of 79 . Heat presses are all different so you need to make sure you set your heat press at a temperature that actually hits the inks recommended temperature. This option is also affordable, but probably the worst of the 3 types of dryers for plastisol. Guess what, printing water-based is doable when you have a heat press! Press water-based inks for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to grab a temp gun or donut probe to see if the ink is hitting the cure temp. Over-flashing inks can cause inter-coat adhesion problems and make the inks very "tacky". It will help the ink pigments to dry slowly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign Up For Our Newsletter It's important to take all these variables into account so you know how to adjust accordingly and run a smooth production. Provides a potential single ink solution for varied printing needs. Let's jump into why low temp cure inks are so popular and why you should consider making the switch. Let the garment sit for 48 hours. Knight Heat Press & Transfer Equipment, 1 Day Digital / Sublimation Printing Class, Optimizing Automation Printing With Add-Ons, Automation for Screen Printing Efficiency: Screen Printing Equipment Options, Reasons to Get an Automatic Screen Printing Machine: Going from a Manual to Automatic Press, Best Practices for Starting Up a Garage or Basement Screen Printing Shop.