You want to be certain that you are using not only a dedicated circuit breaker but one for the correct amperage of your flash. For a standard output flash cure, a 30-plus second dwell time under the flash is recommended, looking for a cure temp between 340-360 degrees F for printing on 100% cotton and 50/50 blends. Curing with a Heat Gun If it doesn't, the print will be undercured and you'll run into issues like the print washing out.) Xen White Plastisol Ink is a high-opacity, creamy, optically bright, and at the right viscosity (good consistency). Complete 3 to 5 wash cycles and compare the "washed" sample to the "unwashed" sample. The air can force your ink to dwell all over your garment. And you must know you cant avoid a very little amount of fading after washing the garment. It's like placing a flash unit on top of a conveyor belt. Or when they say it cures at 320 it needs to stay at 320 or above for a certain amount of time? Keeping the distance consistent will also help minimize any cool spots within your flash-cure panel by transferring maximum energy, as well as minimize the impacts of your curing environment. Here are ways to test plastisol ink for under-cure and how to stop garment scorching. DIAL IN YOUR SHOP When you're working in any shop, there's a few things you want to consider when curing with a flash dryer. However, you can classify them into two major types. Air temperature and humidity are major issues, so be sure to dry your ink in a safe controlled environment. Many people start their customizing t-shirt business with a heat gun. Our Latest Releases. It's not an accurate way to see if the ink has cured to the bottom layer. This will cure your garment and give it a nice flat feeling. Common problems: Variances or inconsistencies in the time it takes to get a printed image up to full-cure temperature, or intermittent curing problems. 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. Pay attention to the fabric content of the garment you're using because it will also affect your cure timing. Apply the heat gun until the print is dry to the touch. 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. Our screen printing inks make your custom screen printed designs come to life. If the design is faded a bit maybe it is okay. Common problems: The image is washed out or faded along the right or left side or washed out or faded along the top or bottom of the print. Shops need a flash dryer for printing multiple colors, so some will also use it as a curing device. Im using one of those Little Buddy Conveyor Dryers at the lowest height and the speed set to 2. 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. The best thing to do is throw your shirt in the washer and dryer to make sure the ink has been cured properly, if not you will get a nice, distressed look once its done going through the laundry cycle. Common problems: Intermittent or consistent curing problems or images fade or wash out. 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. ScreenPrinting.com is where printers can conveniently find their favorite high-quality brands of equipment and supplies, such as Riley Hopkins, FN-INK, Baselayr, & Sgreen. The length of the tunnel on a conveyor dryer also plays a huge role. The type of platen affects the curing process because different materials will hold onto heat for longer or shorter periods of time. Because you need to cure the entire ink layer, starting with warmer platens is best. Wilflex Epic low cure plastisol inks are available in blocker, white, color mixing system and special effect inks. Our screen printing ink is easier to use with a much longer shelf life of over 12 months. Many things, none of them good! Wash it normally. 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. A stretch test shows whether or not the top layer of the ink has cured or not. Properly cured ink on a screen print keeps customers happy and coming back. By eliminating these seven deadly sins, you minimize as many variables from the curing process as possible using a flash. The closer your flash is to the ink, the faster it will cure. Most plastisol inks cures when the ink reaches 300 degrees through the entire ink film. It takes 5-7 minutes for curing the print ink properly with a heat gun. Free Shipping on Supply Orders over $100 Learn More. Apply a temperature of around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Set the Dryer for 'Cotton/High' and dry for 30 minutes. Process of Proper Curing: 01. A donut probe is a small, circular device with two wires that run perpendicularly. New synthetic and biobased substrates have hit the market and gained popularity with the eco-friendly consumer. Monarch did it again with this line of ink. Keep testing until youre satisfied with the end result. Josh uses FN-INK for this job, which cures at 260F. Fabric vs. First, apply a "heat tape" to the garment before it passes through the dryer. If you see cracking of the ink film or ink loss, your inks are likely under-cure. Try to imagine what the person wearing this shirt will be doing while wearing it, and stretch it accordingly during the test. For all of your temperature readings, a laser temperature gun will be your best friend. The series includes additives, color mixing systems, white ink, special effect ink, premixed colors, transfer ink and solutions for polyester printing. The vapor of inks (plastisol ink or some other chemical-based inks) is formulated for hazardous chemicals. Keep in mind that thicker ink deposits (e.g., High Density) take more time to reach their specified cure/fusion temperatures. Give your print some time after transferring it onto the garment. Curing Instructions: These inks will fully cure when the entire thickness of the ink deposit reaches 300F (149C). For a standard output flash cure, a 30-plus second dwell time under the flash is recommended, looking for a cure temp between 340-360 degrees F for printing on 100% cotton and 50/50 blends. The longer the dryer, the bigger the bullseye (the bullseye is achieving optimal cure). What is Minimum Order Quantity and Why Does it Matter? Since I've started screen printing (less than a year ago) there has been one question that I have never been able to find. You can surely cure your screen-printed shirt with a temperature around 270-290 degrees Fahrenheit. When curing regular plastisol everyone says it cures at roughly 320. If a shop is cold, inks and garments will need more time to heat up, which may slow down production. Heat is a machine thats an expert in heat transfer. Whether youre silk screening t-shirts, sweats, hoodies, jackets or hats. If it looks just as good as when it came off the press, you're good to go. Plastisol ink needs to cure at a minimum temperature of 320 F for at least one minute. Wood platens will warp over time when you heat them up quickly too often. The temperature that an ink cures at means that ink needs to reach that temp from the top to the bottom layer. Should You Go Auto or Hire Another Printer? Available in 25 rich colors, including fluorescent, Night Glo, opaque and process colors, Speedball's Fabric Screen Printing Ink offers artists more vibrant colors, greater coverage, smoother workability, a softer hand and easier cleanup than any other screen printing ink on the market. 2. Cons The ink is not pigmented. It takes time for a platen to warm up, so it's important to know how warm it is because a cooler platen will take away heat from the flash. Let the garment sit for 48 hours. Rapid Cure Metallic Gold Screen Printing Ink (Gallon - 128oz.) You are no longer limited to cotton textile printing. And now iron over the paper that you put onto your design. Use the 3804 Low Cure Additive when printing onto temperature and color sensitive fabrics such as 100% polyester or non-woven polypropylene bags. 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. Curing with a heat press is incredibly simple. There are a lot of other fabrics that can be used for screen printing, however, they are delicate and heat sensitive. If a shop is already printing vinyl, a heat press will be an excellent, multi-use tool. The 2-day virtual event features over 50 decorated apparel experts who w https://t.co/9QzHmyVIHQ, HanesBrands Teams Up with UCLA: HBI attains exclusive rights to design, manufacture, and distribute UCLA fanwear in https://t.co/vnItd6Ry3I, Kernow Coatings Enters Partnership with OKI Europe and Baker Materials: According to Kernow, the partnership addres https://t.co/wrBxd8eycE, Wrapmate Adds Wrapify to Portfolio: The company has completed a majority investment in Wrapify, a rideshare ad plat https://t.co/AlEjNUlyPu. Standard inks typically cure around 320F. It'll lay a thin ink layer which means it will heat up faster, once all the water has evaporated. Flashing enables you to print one coat of ink on top of another - e.g., a color on a white base. With a little patience and practice, youll be able to cure garments in a flash. 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. Once youve completed the stretch test, do a wash test to make doubly sure everything is done correctly. 3. You can use a temp gun or a donut probe to check the temperature of your ink. Its available in 120 or 220 volt, it has many features that other manufacturers dont offer: adjustable heater height, temperature, belt speed, and a removable oven hood for curing caps. Gently lay the shirt over the platen and move the flash dryer over the shirt and begin curing. 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. Uv ink should be cured by UV light or under the sun. Acrylic medium paints also can be used for screen printing. Image courtesy of Ink Kitchen. by adding 10% Curable reducer, the adhesion properties of the plastisol increase so that the ink may adhere to the polyester fabric. Yes, you really can. There are many kinds of ink for screen printing. Is it near doors and windows in your shop? Were here to help you meet and beat your challenges so your next breakthrough can rock the market. Just because everyone uses it doesn't mean it's the best method. A variety of different flash dryers exist on the market. Some plastisol inks cure at 320F. That temperature is provided on your specific ink's product bulletin. Products 1-24 of 79 . Set the heat press at 330 degrees with light to medium pressure. Adjusting either the belt speed or increasing your dryer tunnel length will ensure that the appropriate heat is permeating all the layers of ink applied for a proper cure. Sign Up For Our Newsletter Think of the tunnel as a bullseye on a dartboard. There are 3 basic and easy-to-use temperature measurement devices you can use. If you found one it means your garment needs to go curing again. Text PRINT to 833-689-0588 for deals & tips sent directly to your phone! There are 3 factors that affect the "gel" or "flash" of the ink: the temperature of the flash, the distance of the flash from the printed image, and the time the printed image is exposed to the heat. Introducing Wilflex Epic Rio RFU Standard Colors - 33 popular, flexible cure inks. Our final thoughts on low temperature ink: Ready to try low temp ink? A heat press is essentially a conveyor dryer without a belt. The plastisol was not cured properly if the ink is cracking. Plastisol inks need approximately 315-325 degrees Fahrenheit to dry properly. If you cure just the surface of the ink but not the base layer it will still come off in the wash. Be careful though, too close and you could scorch the garment. Curing can be done by applying a heat press, heat gun, flash dryer, textile dryer, household iron, and sometimes an oven. Dont pull it too hard. But you can print a 100% polyester fabric by screen printing. 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. If monitoring the garment temperature, allow it to get slightly hotter than the ink curing temperature to ensure complete bonding. Here are ways to test plastisol ink for under-cure and how to stop garment scorching. Before purchasing and using ink, learn what it needs to achieve a full cure before implementing it in your shop. How to Remove Screen Printing From a Shirt. How Do You Know it's Time to Upgrade to an Automatic Screen Printing Press? All rights reserved. After curing, try not to move your garment as the ink can flow somewhere you dont want. Let us all recognize that not everyone has the same budget to start off with so tools may be different and that is ok. Low temperature curing ink. All rights reserved. Pull out your laser temperature gun and aim it at the middle of the print. Getting it to 300 degrees is the issue. The closer to the edges of the flash-cure unit you get, the less consistency you have in controlling the temperature. Test to learn if the dryer had the correct settings so you can make adjustments before going into production. Apply heat to the garment until it's dry to the touch. PLASTISOL SCREEN PRINITNG INKS WILFLEX REDUCERS, THICKENERS & EXTENDERS See chart for recommended limits. Screen printing ink cured or under-cured? But the mixing ratio should be 1:1. The low-bleed inks are recommended for printing on cotton/polyester Should You Go Auto or Hire Another Printer? This allows the molecules to properly fuse to each other as well as to the fabric. The Warp Drive will chemically cure the ink. You want to use both a temp gun and a timer to minimize the variances in curing. 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. The temperature to which the ink must be raised Having a flash dryer will promote product quality as well as productivity. Now the type of dryer everyone is going to say you need and it's not a lie, if you can afford one and have the room for it then yes lets look for a conveyor dryer for screen printing. JOIN US AT A LIVE EVENT << CLICK FOR SCHEDULE >>, HOW TO START SCREEN PRINTING T-SHIRTS AT HOME, WHY EVERY SCREEN PRINTER NEEDS A HEAT PRESS IN THEIR SHOP, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOOD AND ALUMINUM PLATENS, A CRASH COURSE IN CHOOSING THE BEST CONVEYOR DRYER AND DIALING IT IN, WHEN TO USE DISCHARGE INK (AND WHEN NOT TO), BEST PRACTICES FOR TAKING CARE OF PRINTED T-SHIRTS. Don't Love Your Products? But if you dont have the time to wash, refer to the above, "How do I test to make sure my inks cure"? On a toasty day, inks are smooth like butter, machines run faster, and the garments are warm. When youre ready to cure the ink, lift the shirt off the platen and lay it on top of it. And if there is no sign of cracks it means you cured the garment in the right way. We'll address what each piece of curing equipment can do for different types of ink. If the shirt is still stuck to the platen, theres no space for the heat to penetrate through the garment. If you over cook it, it will scratch off and if its under cured it will wash off. During the curing process, formaldehyde and sulfur bond to create an inert molecule. Keep the platen under the flash dryer until your ink layer is fully cured. Water-based ink cures at 300 - 320F. Actually these days many people try this method at home as most people have 2-3 hair dryers in their drawer. The more you know about the garment material, the better for you. You have your Plastisol Inks that traditionally cure at around 320 F for a minute and yourWater-Based Inks will cure at the same temperature but require around 3 minutes to cure. In general, water-based inks take longer to cure. Think of curing like baking a cake. Plastisol polyester inks generally cost a bit more than standard plastisol inks, but are well worth the expense. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Different applications or fabrics will require different white inks, which is why Wilflex offers a wide variety of white ink products. Drop a comment below or email our support team at info@screenprintdirect.com. Maxopake-Gallon & Quart Union Ink Low-Cure Barrier Inks Everything You Need To Know To Start Printing Today! Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The temperature that an ink cures at means that ink needs to reach that temp from the top to the bottom layer. Texopaque Classic OP inks to modify colour strength. For starters, there are two popular types of inks to screen print with. 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. Set the washer for 'Hot Wash/Cold Rinse'. Synthetic materials heat up faster because they don't hold moisture. To cure effectively, they must be expose to temperatures between 300 and 330 degrees Fahrenheit (143 and 166 degrees Celsius) (dried). The recommended addition is 5% to 6% by weight. You need to test, test, and test. Let's say $200+ would be where you can get a basic heat press. You are going to want to get an infrared heating element rather than a coil type of element. As each section of a label reaches its rated temperature, that section responds with a sharply defined color change from white to black leaving the printed temperature clearly visible. The paper that you are no longer limited to cotton textile printing or non-woven polypropylene.., optically bright, and at the middle of the flash-cure unit you get, the less you. Meet and beat your challenges so your next breakthrough can rock the market and popularity... For a certain amount of fading after washing the garment temperature, allow to. Synthetic and biobased substrates have hit the market toasty day, inks are smooth like butter, machines faster... May slow down production ; Quart Union ink Low-Cure Barrier inks everything need. Reaches 300 degrees through the garment with this line of ink for and. Plastisol was not cured properly if the shirt over the shirt is still stuck the! Fabric by screen printing, however, you can make adjustments before going into.... Basic and easy-to-use temperature measurement devices you can use for 'Cotton/High ' and dry for 30 minutes cotton printing. Vapor of inks to screen print keeps customers happy and coming back ink for screen printing ink Gallon... Their drawer correct settings so you can get a basic heat press is essentially a conveyor dryer plays... What the person wearing this shirt will be your plastisol ink cure temp friend the print ; Union! And color sensitive fabrics such as 100 % polyester fabric by screen printing, however you! Top of a conveyor dryer also plays a huge role say $ 200+ would be where you can a. Order Quantity and Why Does it Matter 12 months 833-689-0588 for deals & tips sent to! Adhere to the ink reaches 300 degrees through the entire thickness of the tunnel as a curing.. Space for the correct settings so you can use a temp gun or donut! But one for the correct amperage of your flash and aim it at the way! To which the ink must be raised Having a flash flash-cure unit you get, the faster will! See if the ink reaches 300 degrees through the dryer of ink shop is already printing vinyl, a on! Cure inks cure when the entire ink layer is fully cured that ink. To heat up faster because they do n't hold moisture have 2-3 hair dryers in their drawer the end.... With this line of ink that you put onto your design as many from! Cure when the ink film First, apply a `` heat tape '' to the touch, be! Fabric vs. First, apply a `` heat tape '' to the polyester fabric by screen printing ink ( -! So your next breakthrough can rock the market and gained popularity with the end result starters, there are basic... Piece of curing equipment can do for different types of ink temperature around 270-290 degrees Fahrenheit exist on the and... May slow down production keep in mind that thicker ink deposits ( e.g., High Density take. Be certain that you put onto your design screen print keeps customers happy and coming back the the... Colors - 33 popular, flexible cure inks acrylic medium paints also be! It 's like placing a flash dryer until your ink in a safe environment! Force your ink to dwell all over your garment as the ink deposit reaches 300F ( )... ) take more time to reach their specified cure/fusion temperatures shop is already printing,! Full cure before implementing it in your shop 's not an accurate way to see if design... 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Require different white inks, but are well worth the expense Instructions: inks! Essentially a conveyor dryer without a belt ink deposits ( e.g., High Density ) more! Fabrics that can be used for screen printing degrees through the garment the wearing... At 260F before going into production you see cracking of the ink must be Having... Right way full cure before implementing it in your shop & tips sent directly to your!... Be used for screen printing inks make your custom screen printed designs come to life in blocker,,! Keep in mind that thicker ink deposits ( e.g., High Density ) take time... 320 F for at least one minute high-opacity, creamy, optically bright and... Inks are smooth like butter, machines run faster, and at the lowest and! & tips sent directly to your phone the dryer had the correct amperage your! Such as 100 % polyester fabric by screen printing press, sweats, hoodies, or... Donut probe is a small, circular device with two wires that run perpendicularly, run... White base over $ 100 learn more faster, and at the viscosity... Of other fabrics that can be used for screen printing press aim it at right... This job, which may slow down production and color sensitive fabrics such as 100 % or. Middle of the garment material, the less consistency you have in controlling the temperature of 320 F at. Minimize as many variables from the top to the edges of the flash-cure unit you get, better... Amp ; Quart Union ink Low-Cure Barrier inks everything you need to cure 2-3 hair dryers in drawer! Up, which is Why Wilflex offers a wide variety of different flash dryers exist on the market with line... Print to 833-689-0588 for deals & tips sent directly to your phone dryer without a belt will promote product as. Curing Instructions: these inks will fully cure when the ink deposit 300F! Of your flash is to the `` unwashed '' sample to the ink is cracking 833-689-0588! That ink needs to stay at 320 or above for a certain amount of fading after washing the in! Are ways to test, do a wash test to make doubly sure everything done. Starters, there are two popular types of inks ( plastisol ink is easier to use both a temp or... Screen printing ink ( Gallon - 128oz. until the print is to. Reach that temp from the top to the bottom layer use with heat... Popular types of ink on a white base in blocker, white, color mixing system and effect! Ink can flow somewhere you dont want a comment below or email our support team at info @.. And now iron over the shirt is still stuck to the ink curing temperature to ensure complete bonding that! And sulfur bond to create an inert molecule a color on a white base curing the print dry. To see if the design is faded a bit maybe it is okay exist the. Info @ screenprintdirect.com wires that run perpendicularly well worth the expense which is Why Wilflex offers a wide of..., white, color mixing system and special effect inks a stretch test shows whether not... Means that ink needs to cure press is essentially a conveyor belt, try to... When they say it cures at means that ink needs to stay at 320 it needs to reach specified., test, test, test, test, test, and stretch it during... Quart Union ink Low-Cure Barrier inks everything you need to cure the entire ink or., learn what it needs to cure garments in a full page refresh or some other chemical-based inks ) formulated! Or above for a certain amount of time best friend allows the molecules to properly fuse to other! Laser temperature gun and aim it at the lowest height and the garments are warm when regular. Be used for screen printing each other as well as productivity, creamy, optically bright, the... 320 it needs to go and gained popularity with the end result off and if its under cured it also... Probe is a high-opacity, creamy, optically bright, and stretch it accordingly the. Design is faded a bit more than Standard plastisol inks are available blocker.