Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
I haven't had this problem before and i've printed a lot of hockey jerseys. This is new and frustrating.
I print for this local hockey association. Instead of buying new jerseys, they get me to cover up the old sponsors (with a big rectangle of ink) then print new sponsors over top. The problem is lately they've been washing out. My conveyor dryer is working fine. Most times i'll put the jerseys through the dryer at least 2 times, inside and out.
I did search the forum and found this: "I think the flash is to hot or dwell time is to long. The second hit after flash wont bond to cured Plastisol it needs to be just jelled."
That could possibly be my problem.
But I was wondering...if they washed the jerseys and used fabric softener (by the feel and smell, it seems like a lot of liquid fabric softener) AND THEN I printed on them, would that aid in the ink washing off of the jersey?
Should I add some nylon bonding agent to the ink?
I was using regular plastisol on these jerseys, which also could be my undoing.
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Mods feel free to put this in the right area if this is wrong.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
I should add that these jerseys are a few years old and have been washed after every game, prior to me printing the new sponsors on them. When they were brand new, there was no washing out problem at all after I printed the team logo and (original) sponsor.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
Quote:
Originally Posted by msnthms
I did search the forum and found this: "I think the flash is to hot or dwell time is to long. The second hit after flash wont bond to cured Plastisol it needs to be just jelled."
That could possibly be my problem.
Yes!
Ink will not bond to cured ink and will just crack, wash off.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
So fabric softener would have nothing to do with this?
The guy brought the jerseys in a few minutes ago. The layer that washed off was the rectangle patch of ink I put on to cover the existing sponsor. Which in turn causes the new sponsor's name (that's printed on top of the rectangle patch of ink) to wash out.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
The fabric softener might be a small problem, the biggest problem is printing over the top of cured plastisol ink. You can call your ink manufacture and ask.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
Customer came in and said that we've done cover ups on prints before and they haven't washed out. Now I'm confused. Why does it wash out now and not then? We've been using the same brand of ink for years.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
Don't know that answer to the problem, but what kind of Hockey association would bring in old jerseys to print over. Around here, the association expect new jerseys every time and the parents pay for them. Kids gotta hang their jerseys and have them wrinkle free before games. I've never seen a "cheap" hockey association that would do that. Kind of tacky!
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
I had this problem several years back with a football teams jerseys, NEVER got an answer or a solution, ended up giving a really good price on new jerseys. Seriously the exact problem. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
There are 2 ways that ink cures: one is via a mechanical bond and the other is via a chemical bond. The mechanical means that the wet ink seeps into the shirt and stays there. During its trip down the dryer the ink cures and is locked all around the fibers. If the fabric is too tight or sealed, like a pre print, the ink can't get into the fibers and, therefore, needs a chemical bond to stick. Thats what nylobond is for. Either way though, when the print is done, it must be cured. When you're laying on thick layers of ink, normal temperature times and dryer speeds don't apply. Use proper testing to verify the ink is cured: stretch test, chemical test, etc. It takes a lot longer to cook a filet mignon than a new york steak, and it looks like you're printing on big thick filets!
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
wjmurray...Yeah it's totally cheap. I absolutely hate doing it. Makes the jerseys look bad, makes me look bad, makes the company look bad. The insist on getting it done. Some jerseys are probably 3 years old.
Re: Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out)
Dont use soft hand tee shirt wet on wet plastisols. Use Athletic plastisols like International Coatings 1100 series. They do need to seep into the weave fabric to bond. Call the experts and ask their advice. International Coatings is in Cerritos, CA. Over the solid square of plastisol I would try using 10% Nylobond Catalyst to assit with adhesion. It will make the plastisol stiffer when dry completely though. If I were you I would call tech support at International Coatings
This is a discussion about Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out) that was posted in the Screen Printing section of the forums.
Problem: Printing on Used Polyester Jerseys (Images Washing Out) 
