ramontayag

Hey everyone. I didn't think mold / fungi could grow on ink til I saw it today.

It's water based opaque ink for textile. I hadn't touched the Ink in about 2 months, kept it out of sunlight in a cool (relatively - I'm in the tropics) place.

Is it still safe to use? I've removed the top layer. I can filter the ink by making it pass through a screen to remove any artifacts.

What can I do to avoid this?

Thanks

 

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kmapparel

I cant say i can imagine this happening... but... i suppose it's possible. What ink brand was it? Did you leave the cover off or slightly open for those two months? I suppose if you just skim off the top where the fungus is growing and make sure it looks good from there it might work, but you may run into issues on press and find the ink may have gone bad.

 

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engraver99

I've seen it on WB opened inks. I just scrape it off and use it for test prints or other things I'm trying. I won't put it on shirts I'd sell - just because.....

I've found it happens when lid is open a little bit

Kevin

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ramontayag

Brand: I believe it's mixed locally by a place called Printwork.

I've skimmed the top layer. I called Printwork and asked about it. I'm going to share what they told me so hopefully it'll be of use to people here in the future.

The reason, Printwork says, this happens is because the ink has been contaminated. That's why they don't suggest I return ink (after printing, from the squeegee and the screen) back into the large containers, but smaller ones. At least if it goes bad, then it's just a small batch.

They said to

1. remove the top layer and
2. smell it, and if it still smells like ink, then it's most likely okay.
3. Screen it by making the ink pass through a screen.
4. test print! - from engraver99

kmapparel: it's possible mine has gone bad because it wasn't sticking to the cloth very well. I'd print but large clumps got left behind in the screen, even if I pressed harder.

Thanks!

 

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Cam Lynch

Quote: Originally Posted by ramontayag Hey everyone. I didn't think mold / fungi could grow on ink til I saw it today. It's water based opaque ink for textile. I hadn't touched the Ink in about 2 months, kept it out of sunlight in a cool (relatively - I'm in the tropics) place. Is it still safe to use? I've removed the top layer. I can filter the ink by making it pass through a screen to remove any artifacts. What can I do to avoid this? Thanks

The advice from the ink supplier sounds right. By cool do you mean the ink was stored in an air conditioned room?

Mold and fungi can be dangerous to health, depending on various factors, such as the type involved. I would guess that most are bad for your health. The curing conveyor may or may not kill any remaining mold or fungi, some of those spores are know to be able to survive extreme conditions.

In canning food, not only does the food have to reach a certain temp, but it has to remain at that temp for a certain amount of time, 85 mins. @ 240 F in a steam pressure canner at 10 pounds of pressure, for example, to kill harmful bacteria. In the conveyor oven you have an adquate temp, but for possibly too short a period of time.

However in your favor, the water based ink your using might actually have an additive to prevent the growth of mold and fungi in the ink and your mold is just growing on the surface of it.

Considering the ink likely has anti-fungus/mold additives and the heat from the conveyor oven, plus the fact that people wash clothes, my guess is that you could use the ink with a minimum of concern, after skimming it. Be careful while handling the gook, wear gloves and maybe even a face mask.

I would test a few shirts, hang them up and see if the mold grows near the print, on the print or on the edges of the printed area. If not I would use the ink. Using the ink could actually be better for the environment. If you still have concerns, only use it on adult size shirts.

 

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Cam Lynch

Oh, if people start dropping dead from jungle rot they caught from toxic t-shirts, drop up a line. Tropical paradise real estate is always in demand.

It's five o'clock somewhere. Take care and let us know how things turn out.

 

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ramontayag

Thanks for your input cam. Yup, I've called them and they told me a few things (see my 2nd post). No, don't put them in aircon - that'd be too expensive. I just need to be careful with contamination apprently.

 

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Cam Lynch

Quote: Originally Posted by ramontayag Thanks for your input cam. Yup, I've called them and they told me a few things (see my 2nd post). No, don't put them in aircon - that'd be too expensive. I just need to be careful with contamination apprently.

Cool, by the way, I have read that some water based inks contain something to prevent the growth of fungus and mold. You might want to ask your supplier if they use it.

Here's an interesting idea and I'm not sure it would even work. Five gallon buckets of drywall compound have a thin round sheet of plastic setting on top of the compound when you open the bucket. If such a round piece of plastic would sit on the surface of the ink, without sinking, it might help with your problem.

Another idea. If you have a spare empty bucket you might be able to place a plastic trash bag of about the same size inside, pour the ink in, seal the bag wit a twist tie and it would be air tight. Then cover with the lid.

 

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