I just moved into a townhouse, and excited with the idea to get the ball rolling on my venture of t-shirt silkscreening. I've done a bit of printing before, but now that I'll be working in the basement, without any windows to open, and with a furnace nearby, I've started to wonder how safe it really is. (Inhaling toxic chemicals, and fire safety)
I'd like to switch to all nonflammable products: waterbased inks, an altnerative adhesive vs spray, etc. I've been checking MSDS sheets for a variety of products. I was wondering if anyone can offer up any suggestions for me. I'm also curious who else out there might be printing in a basement, and what are your opinions on safety? Is it possible for me to use only waterbased inks, and nonflamm chemicals? I'm told that if you use Wilflex Oasis waterbased inks, you may still need to use an ink remover, is this true? In theory, wouldn't water be enough?
Water based is different than water soluble. Like you said though, check the MSDS sheets as well as call or write the manufacturer of said inks and find out just how they are meant to work and how to clean up.
I've used water based non-textile inks before, but not for textiles. I have a background in Fine Art screen printing...and with those inks, water washes them out just fine. As for water based textile ink...I haven't a clue. Sorry I can't be of help there.
Does your townhouse basement have a bulked leading to the outside? Perhaps if it does, you could rig up a vent system with fans to pull out whatever fumes you may produce. Just a thought.
I just moved into a townhouse, and excited with the idea to get the ball rolling on my venture of t-shirt silkscreening. I've done a bit of printing before, but now that I'll be working in the basement, without any windows to open, and with a furnace nearby, I've started to wonder how safe it really is. (Inhaling toxic chemicals, and fire safety)
I'd like to switch to all nonflammable products: waterbased inks, an altnerative adhesive vs spray, etc. I've been checking MSDS sheets for a variety of products. I was wondering if anyone can offer up any suggestions for me. I'm also curious who else out there might be printing in a basement, and what are your opinions on safety? Is it possible for me to use only waterbased inks, and nonflamm chemicals? I'm told that if you use Wilflex Oasis waterbased inks, you may still need to use an ink remover, is this true? In theory, wouldn't water be enough?
Thank for any feedback.
Inhaling chemicals will always be harmful. To reduce the toxins when printing, make sure you ventilate the basement very well with large shop fans.
I work out of my basement. There's some things you'll have to compensate for if your basement is like mine. The temperature stays consistent at about 66 degrees, which is good for me (I prefer cooler), but bad for the ink. I keep a small heater running to keep the ink at about 85-90 degrees and I use just a little at a time on the screens cause of the rapid cool down. I use plastisol ink, if you're using something else it may be different.
The chemicals can be a little hard. I have an area where I have a washout booth where I reclaim screens and then recoat them. I have a small fan on some ductwork that vents to the outside. Same with the dryer.
Outside of the coolness and ventilation it's not a problem.
I work out of my basement. There's some things you'll have to compensate for if your basement is like mine. The temperature stays consistent at about 66 degrees, which is good for me (I prefer cooler), but bad for the ink. I keep a small heater running to keep the ink at about 85-90 degrees and I use just a little at a time on the screens cause of the rapid cool down. I use plastisol ink, if you're using something else it may be different.
The chemicals can be a little hard. I have an area where I have a washout booth where I reclaim screens and then recoat them. I have a small fan on some ductwork that vents to the outside. Same with the dryer.
Outside of the coolness and ventilation it's not a problem.
I prefer the ink being cooler than hotter, especially on screen. When the ink is too hot on the screen, it may clog up a bit....and using "screen opener" is horrible especially without proper ventilation...
i don't see working in a basement will create some safety issues, but i just worries about the result of the printing. the dye might not dry and cure perfectly,and this will make it crack in short time. i have experience this on my shirt which is i printed during monsoon season...
I prefer the ink being cooler than hotter, especially on screen. When the ink is too hot on the screen, it may clog up a bit....and using "screen opener" is horrible especially without proper ventilation...
Sure. But 80-90 degrees doesn't cause the inks I use to start to gel (Wilflex GNS). But at 66 degrees the ink is like trying to push a basketball through a garden hose.
Safe to silkscreen in basement? 
Re: Safe to silkscreen in basement? 
