spektrum

Hi everyone,
I'm new to DTG, I printed some design and notice some white spots on it. The spots were not there until I heat press them, but I already used new parchment paper, so it can't be the dirt on the paper.I used 30 sec at 320 to press it and print on 100% cotton. anyone has any idea?

 

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kennyw

This is most probably due to the fibers of the shirt standing up while printing. When you pressed them back into the image you get white. I would suggest to press the shirts first, before printing on them and see if that helps.

Kenny
Mesa

 

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spektrum

Thanks Kenny, will try that.

 

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spektrum

Quote: Originally Posted by kennyw This is most probably due to the fibers of the shirt standing up while printing. When you pressed them back into the image you get white. I would suggest to press the shirts first, before printing on them and see if that helps. Kenny Mesa

It didn't help... can it be the pre-treatment ?

 

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equipmentzone

You are not drying the print long enough or hot enough. The recommended time for DuPont ink (which is what DTG uses), without white ink, is 330 degrees for 1 1/2 minutes. You should also be using silicone coated parchment paper as a cover sheet. Also, you should not be using white ink pretreatment on white shirts.

Harry
Equipment Zone

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Don-SWF East

Actually the cure time for non-white ink prints is 340' for 120 seconds.

You mentioned pre-treatment, why are you using pre-treatment on white shirts (especially if they are cotton)?

Also, does this same problem occur on all brands of t-shirt or just this one in particular?

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zhenjie

Quote: Originally Posted by Don-SWF East Actually the cure time for non-white ink prints is 340' for 120 seconds.

Is that the new Dupont recommendation? Wish my dealer would inform me of these things...

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Brian-R

O.K.

Try this.

It looks to me like you are pushing the white ink through the color layer.
Before you press hover the press as close as you can to the shirt for 30-45 seconds.
Then press using standard time and temp recommended by your ink supplier
using EXTREMELY light pressure. The lighter the better. As light as you can
go and still have the press stay closed on it's own. On my press the number
flutters between 1 and 2 when I am pressing.
Hovering before pressing puts a crust on the top layer of ink.
If you are using more pressure you may have trouble with wash durability too.
Pressure isn't what cures the ink.

Try it, you'll like it.

Brian

 

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spektrum

Quote: Originally Posted by Don-SWF East Actually the cure time for non-white ink prints is 340' for 120 seconds. You mentioned pre-treatment, why are you using pre-treatment on white shirts (especially if they are cotton)? Also, does this same problem occur on all brands of t-shirt or just this one in particular?

I was told to use the same method as print colours/black shirt to print white colour tee. So even white colour tee will have pre-treatment and white ink. I am using same pre-treatment on both white and colour tee...

 

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equipmentzone

You should only use white pretreatment on garments that you are printing white ink on.

Harry
Equipment Zone

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DuPont Ink Master Distributor • Fast T-Jet DTG Printer Parts - Supplies - Tech Support

 

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zhenjie

Quote: Originally Posted by spektrum I was told to use the same method as print colours/black shirt to print white colour tee. So even white colour tee will have pre-treatment and white ink. I am using same pre-treatment on both white and colour tee...

O M G. Bad bad advice you received. Do not use white pretreatment or white ink for white t-shirts, its not necessary.

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Brian-R

Quote: Originally Posted by spektrum I was told to use the same method as print colours/black shirt to print white colour tee. So even white colour tee will have pre-treatment and white ink. I am using same pre-treatment on both white and colour tee...

Yep, like zhenjie said. I can't think of a valid reason to use white ink on white. You are wasting time and money and you lose the soft hand.
The reason white is needed on dark fabrics is because:
The color inks are translucent, meaning the background color will show through. If the color inks were opaque the background color would not show through and there would be no need for a white underlay. So, the white background is layed down only so the color layers will show up well. There is no need for that on white fabric.
Now..., there is a pretreatment for light fabrics, but it is different than the dark pretreat, but it doesn't need a white underlay with it. I have never used the white pretreat so I don't know how well it works or how much it helps. I have heard some swear by it though.

Aren't you excited now? We just saved you a lot of work and money!

Brian

 

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spektrum

Thanks everyone! That is really going to save lots of time and money!

 

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