Discuss the different plastisol, discharge and water based screen printing inks on the market. Share tips on getting the best results with the different ink manufacturers.
Hello everyone, made 20+ shirts for a local team using a screen, plastisol ink, and heat gun. Used purple ink on a 100% cotton pre-shrunk bright yellow shirt. After first washing, image faded considerably and looks fuzzy, like shirt fabric stuck on top of image (hard to explain without sounding ridiculous). Is this just how it is or is there specific inks or a process that will ensure the image stays bright and "fuzzy" free? Thanks
Am I missing a step? I flood the screen, apply to shirt with two 45 degree swipes, immediately dry with heat gun. Do I need to use a heat press after I use the heat gun?
No the correct process would not involve a heat press...I just do it to make the print nice and flat which helps with the fading. The reason I think it is fading is due to pressure (low screen tension)...when you are pressing down you are pushing the ink into the shirt and also pulling some of the fibers up.
What durometer are you using? Also 45 degrees sounds a little low...for some reason I am think it is more like a 75-80 degree, but don't quote me on that one.
I don't think an iron would work very well. I would say just try the new process...just enough pressure to clear the screen. It could also be linked to your screens if they are getting loose.
When curing plastisol, the entire ink deposit needs to get up to cure temp and stay at cure temp for a period of time, usually 300 degrees and 30 seconds but check with the ink supplier. I hear all of these stories about curing with a heat gun and I cringe everytime.
What you describe is a little confusing since it sounds like fibrilation but you also say the ink has faded which sounds like undercure... I'm betting on undercure and the ink actually washing off.
The one that came with the starter kit. 45 degrees is the angle they said you should apply the ink. Other than using a heat gun instead of a flash dryer I went step for step. Must just be pressing down too hard. Would washing the shirts inside out help prevent fading
Yeah the heat gun isn't very efficient if you think about it. Off hand I am not familiar with a heat press, any recommendations on a model that you guys have has success with?
how much off-contact are you using on your press? If it's too low it could also cause a problem with fibrillation. Also, what screen mesh count are you using?
Here's a link to an older post on fibrillation. It's a good read.
If washout are occurring then for plastisol its undercuring all the way the magic number to fully cure the ink is 325 for about 30 seconds, this means the ink needs to get to that temp all around thats why the pros have those long dryers, but dont be discouraged unless you have a heatgun. What you can do is crank the heat and slow your belt down. Watch your temps this would be a trial and error process, you should have a laser temp gun i bought mine for 39.00 get close to the shirt as it comes out of the dryer then shoot the laser on the thickest part of the ink and you will get the surface temp of your ink. If it reads 345 to 400 for a dark shirt your good higher than that and watch for scorching. White shirts show scorching even at lower temps, so you should have 2 settings.
If washout are occurring then for plastisol its undercuring all the way the magic number to fully cure the ink is 325 for about 30 seconds, this means the ink needs to get to that temp all around thats why the pros have those long dryers, but dont be discouraged unless you have a heatgun. What you can do is crank the heat and slow your belt down. Watch your temps this would be a trial and error process, you should have a laser temp gun i bought mine for 39.00 get close to the shirt as it comes out of the dryer then shoot the laser on the thickest part of the ink and you will get the surface temp of your ink. If it reads 345 to 400 for a dark shirt your good higher than that and watch for scorching. White shirts show scorching even at lower temps, so you should have 2 settings.
It does it for other reason though. I have a conveyor dryer and a temp gun. The ink is still there, but rather the fibers show through and it will make a black look grey.
prevent image fading? 
