MOYA

I'm using RyOpaque Plastisol ink in three different colors, and printing on 100% cotton shirts. The prints come out fine, but after 2-3 washes the ink starts to flake off or fade. In a way, it gives the print a nice vintage feel...which would be great if that's what I wanted.

I've changed my flash drying times but it doesn't help.

I'm wondering if using a screen with thicker emulsion might help - putting more ink on the shirt?

I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

 

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by MOYA I'm wondering if using a screen with thicker emulsion might help - putting more ink on the shirt?

Doubtful - it sounds like you're undercuring.

Quote: Originally Posted by MOYA I've changed my flash drying times but it doesn't help.

Have you checked your flash temperature? No amount of extra time will be enough if it's just not getting hot enough.

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denck

Sounds like your Ink isn't curing at the right temp.
What temp is it curing at?
Plastisol ink needs to cure at 330deg. Normaly in a conveyer oven that desired temp will take about twenty seconds.However your curing your ink
Flash dryer/Heat Press/Heat gun/oven or heater the ink needs to cure.
Be carfull not to cure the underbase when printing multiple colors on darks. That will cause the top ink to peel off of the underbase

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MOYA

I've been using a heat gun, set to low, anywhere from 1.5 to 3 minutes. At 3 minutes, the shirt starts to smoke...

 

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denck

Do yourself a favor and go down to NAPA or any other parts-house and buy a TEMP GUN. Usually they run $30 bucks

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dicknastee

The complete film of plastisol ink has to reach 320f. If not it will never be cured and your ink film will fail during washing

 

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mindye

were can i get one of those thermo gun?????any website recomended??

 

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Pwear

sears, napa, autozone, home depot, lowes - they all sell it.

 

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lmcawards

Got one off ebay a few weeks ago (same as the one shown above) works great!

 

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penwork

If you are printing on dark coloured garments it sounds like you are curing the white underlay then printing the colours on top. the white sould be flashed for 5-10 seconds only, then print the other colours. Cure the whole thing up to 45 seconds. Do a stretch test and if the ink pulls apart cure again.

 

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squeegee

Quote: Originally Posted by MOYA I'm using RyOpaque Plastisol ink in three different colors, and printing on 100% cotton shirts. The prints come out fine, but after 2-3 washes the ink starts to flake off or fade. In a way, it gives the print a nice vintage feel...which would be great if that's what I wanted. I've changed my flash drying times but it doesn't help. I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

Sounds to me like your cure temp or time is too low or too short. Is this a consistent problem or something just recent?

If it's a random thing, I wonder if you're printing some of the colors on an underbase, because if you are overcuring the base, then the colors that go down on the base will not adhere properly.

Either way, some experimination and a temp device like a donut prob or a gun will get you out of the rut you're in. 320f or so is what most plastisols will cure at, flashing temps or times will depend on your flash and your circumstances. Having your pallet or pallets up to production temps (pre heat them) before printing will help equalize the flash time. There is a proper gel (pre cure dry to touch ink) temp for plastisol, which I can't remember, maybe someone else will chime in about that.

 

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