Discuss the different plastisol screen printing inks and curing methods on the market. Share tips on getting the best results with the different ink manufacturers.
Hi,
I am printing with water-based inks and the inks say to heat-set by ironing both sides of the garment. I have done this in the past and it is really time consuming and tedious. Someone told me that a shortcut would be to put it in the dryer for 40 minutes. Has anyone used this method and is it true that it will set it?
Thanks!
It depends on the brand and type of ink you are using. Some inks dry like this, though for most that I know of, a dryer does not hit the right temperature to cure the ink.
Thanks. do you know anything about the oven method that i hear a little about?
If your referring to putting them in the oven that you cook with, I wouldn't. I don't think (and I could be wrong) there are any serious health risks but I just don't see it being safe.
Why don't you invest in a heat gun? They are not to expensive and they get the job done. I used it successfully up until I purchased a flash dryer.
You could use a heat gun to set the inks, but there is no guarantee of cure. Every brand of inks works and dries a little differently.
I have noticed that the Matsui inks can actually be air dried to a certain extent. Air drying the Matsui inks is technically, not recommended as they are designed to be heat set.....
BUT I have personally seen the inks hold up well to air drying. It may not work with all garments and air drying should only be used with the 301 RC pre-mixed inks.
If you do decide to air dry the inks, I would definately let them dry to the touch and then put the garments in your clothes dryer on high for about 1 hour. This should cure the inks well enough to handle multiple washings.
Yeah, i have been doing a bit more research, and a few sites said that would work. it sure beats ironing! that was terrible!! i wouldn't be sticking it in the dryer till days after i print them.
What kind of ink are you printing with? Professional screen printing water based inks will require higher and longer temps for curing, while art store brands such as Speedball can be set in your laundry dryer. I have set Speedball inks in my laundry dryer, but that was back in 1992, not sure if they have changed since then...
for white, i have been using aqua paque by standard screen print. i get great white results with that. i just checked the label, and it says that i can stick it in the dryer. for my color, i just have speedball inks, which seem to be ok, i have been mixing then with the white ink for better results.
heat setting water-based inks 
