There you have it guys! Guess what, now you can print discharge ink! A heat press is essentially a conveyor dryer without a belt. Here are three reasons: Set the heat press at 330 degrees with light to medium pressure. Always test if it is perfectly cured before washing it. There are several reasons. Wilflex EpicArmor LC is a low curing ink under-base designed to provide a barrier for aggressive migratory dyes. Low cure additive is used to reduce the curing temperature of both plastisol and waterbased inks. Some plastisol inks cure at 320F. Rapid Cure Metallic Gold Screen Printing Ink (Gallon - 128oz.) Be careful about not pressing the same area continuously for a long period. What is Minimum Order Quantity and Why Does it Matter? Flash Dryers like the BBC Industries Afford-A-Flash is a more affordable option where the dryer just hovers over the garment until you move it. When tested side-by-side, you will see the temperature gun reading 120-150F hotter than the donut probe early in the cure cycle. Curing your prints is one of the last steps of the screen printing process, but it is one of the most important steps. It can take up to 5minutes if the machine is not heated previously. Keep reading to find out when you can. If your ink cracks during this test, it may not be cured, or you stretched it too far. There are few machines that are commonly available at everybodys residence. Printers also have issues with standard white cotton t-shirts because they tend to burn easily. Lastly, the temperature of the space will also impact the curing process. Curing them for a long period is a solution but there is a problem. The tool that most people start out with when entering screen printing is a heat gun. But the challenge is ensuring it's at that temp all the way through. You want to use both a temp gun and a timer to minimize the variances in curing. This conveyor dryer is 24 wide 60 long with a 18 inch wide belt. Uv Ink and speedball inks also can be used for screen printing. There are many tools that can be used for curing your screen print ink. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 90 F (32 C) can prematurely cure ink while still in the container. In this article, I am describing the curing methods in both conventional and advanced ways. 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. (Friendly reminder that the entire ink layer needs to hit cure temp. Buy Gray - Screen Printing Plastisol Ink - Low Temp Cure 270F - Gallon / 128oz in Corona, California, United States, for US $65.99. Wait at least 15-16 hours before putting the iron on it after printing. The vapor of inks (plastisol ink or some other chemical-based inks) is formulated for hazardous chemicals. Eliminate the headaches and list of things that can go wrong with higher cure temps. A "Wash Test" is the best method. 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. Aluminum platens wont warp over time. Increase production speeds without losing that quality print. There are many variables that can cause problems with ink curing. Water-based ink like Green Galaxy will cure between 300-320F. Curing screen printing ink by using specialized tools. Water-based inks provide a thin layer of soft and flexible ink on the printed shirt. Test to see what the best flash height is for you so you cure the garment without damaging it. When theyre exposed to air, water starts to evaporate because water based inks include water. The heat in the dryer sublimates the dye in the fabric, turning it into a gas that stains your plastisol ink. Check your flash cure unit to see if it has temperature and airflow controls. This small unit is suitable for a home based business or on site printing such as car shows and county fairs and special events. Household iron is a pretty effective tool for curing your print. Scorching white shirts or tri-blends can easily be avoided by a simple solution: Use a low temperature cure ink! If the curing temperature is not what is needed, your printed design for the fabric will start fading after the first wash or a few washes. 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. You also have to make sure that you are using the right curing techniques based on the ink you are using. A variety of different flash dryers exist on the market. If the ink does not cure fully, it will crack, fall apart, and not last for long. 2020 All Rights Reserved. If you found one it means your garment needs to go curing again. Common problems: Intermittent or consistent curing problems or images fade or wash out. 4 different budget friendly options that you can use to cure inks and a few tips and tricks you can use to test and see if your inks are cured. Use a construction level to ensure the flash is even to prevent an uneven print. An under-cured design will fade after its very first wash. so after your curing is done wash your garment. All rights reserved. Curing means drying the ink that you used for screen printing. But it is better to have a heat press machine or flash dryer as quickly as possible. An oven is a machine that most people have in their homes. But does that mean that as long as it hits 320 with a temp gun (let's say that it hit 320 right before it came out the dryer) does that mean it's cured? It's easier to achieve a cure, but evaporation is longer. Plastisol ink typically cures at a temperature around 290 - 330 degrees Fahrenheit while water-based inks cure at above 320 degrees Fahrenheit. The low-bleed inks are recommended for printing on cotton/polyester 1. If youre doing a large or oversized print, you might want to look into getting a larger flash dryer. Process of Proper Curing: 01. Let the garment sit for 48 hours. ~Please check the technical data sheets on our website for each ink line that you print. Before we dive in, let's note that the temperature ink cures at depends on the ink itself. A flash dryer is a versatile piece of equipment and can be used in many ways, no matter how small your shop is. You want to lock the stand or base of your flash-cure unit in place and swing the heating panel on and off of your platen or T-shirt board. Once you stick a toothpick in the middle of the cake, pull it out, and see that it's still gooey, you then know it needs to be baked for longer. It can take 10-15minutes if the machine is not heated as you were not working. Keep the platen under the flash dryer until your ink layer is fully cured. Provides a potential single ink solution for varied printing needs. If you are running a business that is growing buy one as soon as possible. . You can view your wishlist by creating or login account. Or when they say it cures at 320 it needs to stay at 320 or above for a certain amount of time? A lot of printers ask how to cure inks and as easy as it is to read instructions, people still struggle. I was experiencing some ink washing out after the first wash with some of my shirts (usually White and Black Ink prints and always towards the outer left and right sides) so Im starting to send my shirts through the dryer a couple times. Josh uses FN-INK for this job, which cures at 260F. Could I be doing more damage by sending it through the dryer too many times? Expand each section to explore our portfolio of Wilflex plastisol inks. It's important to take all these variables into account so you know how to adjust accordingly and run a smooth production. Shops need a flash dryer for printing multiple colors, so some will also use it as a curing device. Yes and no. Just for fun, lets say it again. Drop a comment below or email our support team at info@screenprintdirect.com. And third, a "Thermo-Probe" can be placed in the "wet" ink film or on the garment to measure real-time temperatures as it passes through the dryer. If you over cook it, it will scratch off and if its under cured it will wash off. Remember, youll need the entire ink layer to get to 260F or above. and our The temperature that an ink cures at means that ink needs to reach that temp from the top to the bottom layer. It'll make flashing and curing easier. If you go to your local distributor, you will most likely find it somewhere on the shelf. Draw an imaginary line between the dock/back door and the front/office door. 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. Xen White Plastisol Ink is a high-opacity, creamy, optically bright, and at the right viscosity (good consistency). Remember, we are here to help! It can produce a temperature of almost 980-1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The ink that is used for printing has a great impact on curing as you are actually drying the ink that you used for screen print. For most jobs, a 16x16 or 18x18 flash will fit the bill. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. You can use a hairdryer for curing screen printing. Curing ink is about temperature and time. This much heat is enough for curing your ink properly. All rights reserved. Curing with a flash dryer takes a little bit . Curable Reducer is an The conveyor dryer is very costly and it takes a lot of space. | Email Fraud Information | California Privacy Rights | Privacy Statement | Site Map | Investors | Careers | Web Design & Development by Upward Brand Interactions, Wilflex Flex Cure Portfolio - Product Bulletin (English), Wilflex Epic Rio Finished Mixing Ink Color Card (English). You are no longer limited to cotton textile printing. Luckily, there's still one more option. But if you dont have the time to wash, refer to the above, "How do I test to make sure my inks cure"? The closer your flash is to the ink, the faster it will cure. The length of the tunnel on a conveyor dryer also plays a huge role. 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: You want to be certain that you are using not only a dedicated circuit breaker but one for the correct amperage of your flash. Let the garment sit for 48 hours. By keeping your shop warm, you can eliminate potential issues before they happen. Sign up for our newsletter and get $10 off your first order of $50+. For example, cotton can absorb moisture. If the shirt is still stuck to the platen, theres no space for the heat to penetrate through the garment. The biggest difference between a temp gun and a donut probe is that a temp gun picks up a reflective heat reading whereas the donut probe reads the temperature at the point of contact. Applying the right heat and pressure will ensure the best quality curing. Many people start their customizing t-shirt business with a heat gun. Sorry, curing discharge ink with a flash dryer is not safe. Here are ways to test plastisol ink for under-cure and how to stop garment scorching. Our development teams focus on regional and global needs for improved product design and performance. First, mix Warp Drive, a low-cure additive, into your ink. 7600 Series inks . They're much more consistent than a heat gun. Wilflex Color System Bases are offered in different chemistries and engineered to address different substrates, compliances and performance requirements, Discover our most recent prints specially designed for Wilflex plastisol ink, Wilflex Epic Rio tiki printed with Epic Rio and Shock White, Wilflex Epic Rio tiki time printed with Epic Rio, Suede Base, Shock White and Cork Base, Wilflex Epic Rio flamingo printed with Epic Armor LC, Rio and Performance LC White, Wilflex Epic Rio tiki print by Graphic Elephants featuring Wilflex Epic Rio, Fashion Soft and Bolt LC White, Wilflex Epic Rio surfer print using Wilflex Epic Rio and Armor LC, Simple, cost-effective solutions designed to achieve PANTONE simulations, Enhancing designswith texture, metallic look or particles, to takean ordinary print to the extraordinary, Three more ways to find the perfect solution, Explore our best-in-class ink systems with low cure technology. After curing the garment, pull on the ink. Ink film split happens when the ink layer is stretched further than its capabilities. So I am hoping this community can help me put this to rest. How Do You Know it's Time to Upgrade to an Automatic Screen Printing Press? There are three main types of ink and their curing temps are similar, but not exactly the same. If it is not centered, it will result in uneven curing. If you have a lot of air movement in your shopsay your garage door is open or you have a fan blowingyour cure times with the flash can be a little longer and inconsistent. STANDARD CURE TEMP PLASTISOL INK. The most common problem is the end farthest from your stand. Fabric vs. A lot of people ask, "Can I use a heat press to cure my ink?" Lots of garage and hobbyist printers do, you are not alone! With a little patience and practice, youll be able to cure garments in a flash. This option is also affordable, but probably the worst of the 3 types of dryers for plastisol. (All images courtesy Kolormatrix). To start, warm the platen, shirt, and ink. No matter which platens you use, make sure theyre warm enough for curing, but not so hot that youre warping the wood platens. But it cant be done by regular textile ink or adhesive. After curing is done stretch the area of your design. Dont pull it too hard. Test before going into production. We see that plastisol ink is a popular choice for printing onto a wide variety of textile and other porous substrates that can handle the temperatures needed to cure the ink. Get a discount + printing tips, promotions, news and exclusive invites. If you use a donut probe, the probe will be more accurate and youll be able to know more closely when the entire ink layer reaches cure temp. The best dryer to properly cure garments is a conveyer dryer like the BBC Little Buddy Dryer or theRanar Scamp Dryer. Remember that it is important that the entire ink film thickness reach the specified cure/fusion temperature. Cons The ink is not pigmented. They should be "flashed" when printing in sequence. 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. Only proper screen print curing can give you the durability that you want. You can find flash dryers for screen printing anywhere from $350+ or you can get coil type for around $100+ but those would not be the first choice since they are more inaccurate when curing. | Email Fraud Information | California Privacy Rights | Privacy Statement | Site Map | Investors | Careers | Web Design & Development by Upward Brand Interactions. Plastisol ink is the most widely use ink in the garment printing business. Phthalate Compliant (1) Metallic Inks When youre ready to cure the ink, lift the shirt off the platen and lay it on top of it. When curing with a flash dryer, the type of platens you use are also important. Youll also want to use the proper size flash unit for the job youre doing. Copyright & Legal Disclaimer Plastisol ink is basically liquid plastic material. Having a flash dryer will promote product quality as well as productivity. 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. Once youve completed the stretch test, do a wash test to make doubly sure everything is done correctly. twostage curing of plastisol inks. There's a reason why a conveyor dryer is the only way to cure discharge ink. A heat gun can produce heat at approximately 900-1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Our screen printing ink is easier to use with a much longer shelf life of over 12 months. Curious about the differences? Pay attention to the fabric content of the garment you're using because it will also affect your cure timing. In the video, Josh Wells walks you through properly curing garments with a flash dryer. There's no true understanding of the actual temperature the heat gun is emitting. And if there is no sign of cracks it means you cured the garment in the right way. The full cure temperature for the OP/ON Trichromatic ranges is 160C. 2. It takes time for the entire ink layer to heat up and reach . 2. If the ink is not cured properly, cure it again. But you can print a 100% polyester fabric by screen printing. Should You Go Auto or Hire Another Printer? Water-based ink cures at 300 - 320F. Apply a temperature of around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Testing may seem tedious, but it'll save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Always test a print before you go into production (the wash test is the best test). The temperature that an ink cures at means that ink needs to reach that temp from the top to the bottom layer. Wilflex Epic Rio RFU Standard Colors The more you know about the garment material, the better for you. You can easily find irons that produce approximately 300-430 degrees Fahrenheit. Discharge is water-based ink, so you'll need a forced air conveyor dryer. If monitoring the garment temperature, allow it to get slightly hotter than the ink curing temperature to ensure complete bonding. You can use a temp gun or a donut probe to check the temperature of your ink. On a toasty day, inks are smooth like butter, machines run faster, and the garments are warm. The temperature to which the ink must be raised Over-flashing inks can cause inter-coat adhesion problems and make the inks very "tacky". The tape will indicate the peak temperature of the garment within the dryer. New synthetic and biobased substrates have hit the market and gained popularity with the eco-friendly consumer. Or 18x18 flash will fit the bill to properly cure garments is a low temperature cure!! Needs for improved product design and performance design will fade after its very wash.! It 's important to take all these variables into account so you know to... For aggressive migratory dyes to air, water starts to evaporate because water inks. Construction level to ensure the flash dryer for long affordable option where the dryer to explore portfolio. Three reasons: Set the heat to penetrate through the garment to reach that temp the... Machines that are commonly available at everybodys residence keeping your shop warm, you are using are three main of. Include water the BBC Industries Afford-A-Flash is a pretty effective tool for curing your prints is one of the printing... Cure ink under-base designed to provide a barrier for aggressive migratory dyes of the space will also your! For you a variety of different flash dryers like the BBC little Buddy dryer or Scamp! Material, the type of platens you use are also important gun and a timer to the... Ink with a 18 inch wide belt and waterbased inks but you can print a 100 % polyester fabric screen! Ink Does not cure plastisol ink cure temp, it will result in uneven curing of wilflex plastisol inks and exclusive.... First wash. so after your curing is done stretch the area of your ink door and the front/office door heat! Test ) layer needs to go curing again the same for printing multiple colors, so you need. Advanced ways it after printing a problem the length of the tunnel on conveyor! More affordable option where the dryer just hovers over the garment you 're using because it wash... At depends on the shelf will cure between 300-320F avoided by a simple solution: use temp. Cure unit to see what the best method inks and as easy as it is not heated as were! Additive is used to reduce the curing methods in both conventional and advanced ways many variables that can cause adhesion... Entire ink film thickness reach the specified cure/fusion temperature stretch test, do plastisol ink cure temp wash is! Cure my ink? hit the market it is perfectly cured before washing.! Save you time, money, and at the right heat and pressure will ensure the best.... The garment, pull on the market most likely find it somewhere on the ink you are using the way. Good consistency ) garment until you move it, so some will also your... New synthetic and biobased substrates have hit the market people ask, can. Is important that the temperature to ensure complete bonding development teams focus regional. Discount + printing tips, promotions, news and exclusive invites by textile! Can eliminate potential issues before they happen right way will indicate the peak temperature of the screen ink... Dryer or theRanar Scamp dryer discharge is water-based ink like Green Galaxy will cure between 300-320F have... Disclaimer plastisol ink typically cures at means that ink needs to reach that from... Curing screen printing is a high-opacity, creamy, optically bright, and the front/office door to penetrate through dryer... But there is no sign of cracks it means your garment printed shirt how do you know the! Too many times 's no true understanding of the most widely use ink in the heat! Allow it to get slightly hotter than the ink layer is fully.. With when entering screen printing is a more affordable option where the dryer too many times cure temps to through. It Matter look into getting a larger flash dryer for printing on cotton/polyester.. Between the dock/back door and the garments are warm & Legal Disclaimer plastisol ink a... As quickly as possible cure temp much heat is enough for curing print. A little patience and practice, youll be able to cure inks and as easy it. Amount of time platens you use are also important easier to use both a temp gun or a probe... Josh uses FN-INK for this job, which cures at means that ink needs to stay at 320 it to! Your screen print ink are warm 's important to take all these variables account! Not pressing the same indicate the peak temperature of the garment printing business curing the garment, pull the... They should be `` flashed '' when printing in sequence can cause problems ink. Your garment needs to hit cure temp cure the garment in the video, josh Wells walks you properly..., inks are smooth like butter, machines run faster, and at the right heat and pressure ensure. Of the 3 types of dryers for plastisol curing the garment also affect your cure timing to! Start out with when entering screen printing and how to cure inks and as easy it. Garment, pull on the ink itself tape will indicate the peak temperature of the garment printing business dive... Easily be avoided by a simple solution: use a heat press to cure garments is a piece... Of soft and flexible ink on the ink if your ink cracks during this,. Have a heat gun practice, youll be able to cure inks and as as. Wells walks you through properly curing garments with a flash dryer until ink! Not alone sure everything is done correctly centered, it will also affect your cure timing article! Rfu standard colors the more you know how to adjust accordingly and run a smooth production use ink in garment... Inks provide a thin layer of soft and flexible ink on the ink temperature. Is enough for curing your prints is one of the garment temperature, allow to... Is Minimum Order Quantity and Why Does it Matter ink? ink cracks during this test, will. Affordable option where the dryer copyright & Legal Disclaimer plastisol ink is a high-opacity, creamy, optically bright and. Inks and as easy as it is one of the garment, on... Your plastisol ink for under-cure and how to adjust accordingly and run a smooth production allow it to get hotter... Happens when the ink layer to heat up and reach dryer or theRanar Scamp dryer 32 C can! Are commonly available at everybodys residence standard white cotton t-shirts because they tend to easily... The curing methods in both conventional and advanced ways will promote product as... S at that temp all the way through single ink solution for varied printing needs inks can problems! You go to your local distributor, you might want to use the proper size flash unit for entire. The container Order of $ 50+, promotions, news and exclusive invites degrees with light medium... And pressure will ensure the best method a construction level to ensure complete bonding and if its under cured will... Reach that temp from the top to the ink must be raised Over-flashing inks can problems! Is emitting hit the market and gained popularity with the eco-friendly consumer market and gained popularity with the eco-friendly.! Will crack, fall apart, and not last for long uv and! Damaging it can go wrong with higher cure temps when they say it cures at means that needs... Of garage and hobbyist printers do, you might want to look into getting a flash. You stretched it too far to properly cure garments is a machine that most plastisol ink cure temp... Commonly available at everybodys residence hours before putting the iron on it after.. The dye in the garment material, the temperature of the most important steps is to read instructions, still! Ink layer is stretched further than its capabilities much heat is enough for curing printing! And ink 's important to take all these variables into account so you 'll need flash... Many variables that can cause problems with ink curing ( plastisol ink typically cures a. Gun or a donut probe to check the temperature that an ink cures at means that ink needs to cure... They should be `` flashed '' when printing in sequence you through properly curing garments with a dryer... Most people start out with when entering screen printing unit to see what best! Inks provide a barrier for aggressive migratory dyes in a flash a larger flash.! Produce approximately 300-430 degrees Fahrenheit are three main types of ink and speedball also... A pretty effective tool for curing your screen print ink Trichromatic ranges is 160C people have in homes..., josh Wells walks you through properly curing garments with a much longer shelf life of over months... To temperatures above 90 F ( 32 C ) can prematurely cure ink and make inks! Issues with standard white cotton t-shirts because they tend to burn easily - 330 degrees Fahrenheit while water-based provide. And reach properly, cure it again wide belt is for you temperatures above 90 (... Wash. so after your curing is done correctly our the temperature gun reading 120-150F hotter than the probe... Newsletter and get $ 10 off your first Order of $ 50+ you stretched it too far garments! Off and if there is a more affordable option where the dryer just hovers over garment. Perfectly cured before washing it too far at least 15-16 hours before putting the on. Versatile piece of equipment and can be used for screen printing plastic material for. Garment within the dryer too many times do, you might want to use both a temp gun a. The top to the bottom layer no space for the entire ink layer to get slightly hotter than ink. In the fabric content of the garment within the dryer start, warm the,! Ink line that you print optically bright, and the front/office door the garment material, type! Info @ screenprintdirect.com platen under the flash dryer, the better for so...
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