kimkimkim13

I am trying to get a specific Florescent Pink color using florescent AquaBrite ink , florescent AquaBrite ink concentrate and AquaBrite base. Can anyone shed some light onto how the base and concentrate act? I am printing a 110 mesh on thin cotton. One problem is the screen is too open a mesh, but I am trying to work with it.
Right now the ink is too liquid, I am trying to thicken it up with the base, but this seems to make it congeal as it gets pushed back and forth during printing. The prints are coming out too thick and "cakey" yet unable to cure. I am flash curing for 2 mins as well as ironing. The prints are dry to touch but smear off in a powdery mess when scratched.
I have a feeling that this has to do with the use of concentrate and not knowing how to mix water based ink, from these elements but i can't seem to find any info on this. So i guess one main question i have is how do you thicken water-based ink once you have the color you want? And why if my ink is too thin, it is laying on thick, "cakey" and uneven? How do you get that perfect water based ink consistency?

 

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splathead

I have not seen Aquabrite base before. Is that the correct name? Are there instructions on the container?

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Joe
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kimkimkim13

Its from standard screen supply in New York. There are some instructions with how many parts of base to pigment but that's it. Standard makes their own inks and packages them themselves so its rather sparse, generic info on the label. I'm going to talk to them today. But in general any info anyone has on proper ink consistency and mixing techniques would be appreciated. From my experience the state of the ink is one of the most important factors that affects whether or not the printing goes well.
Thanks!

 

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Tj Ryonet Tech

Water base inks are generally much thinner than a plastisol. For going onto a garment we always recommend that when printing with water base inks to use a 156 mesh and above. That way you can control the amount of ink going onto the garment better.

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TJ Stepper (tech support) silkscreeningsupplies.com
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kimkimkim13

Thanks.. that's what i thought. I'm stuck with that mesh for now. It's a client's screen. i found out that it's good to use an actual paint mixer when making paint with concentrate and base. The guy at standard gave me something he called "base concentrate" to help with the thickness.

 

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kimkimkim13

i found this other great forum about water based ink.
Here's the faqs:

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