Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Hi All
I'm just setting up in screen printing and want to use a water based system. I have read other posts that mention using a heat press to cure these inks, can someone explain a bit more about this. Do you have to leave the inks until touch dry before using the press and how long does it take and at what temperature?
Thanks.
Regards
Paul
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodney
From what I've read, the ink manufacturer will give you the recommended curing time and temperature for their specific ink.
Thanks Rodney
But is it necessary to allow the water based ink to touch dry first. I am only guessing that you do actually press with heat press as opposed to 'hovering' with it but presumably the ink has to be dry first. Is that correct? Is this a particularly efficient method with water based ink. I know all the pro's say a tunnel dryer but I can't stretch to the cost of one at the moment. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Regards
Paul
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxZone
Thanks Rodney
But is it necessary to allow the water based ink to touch dry first. I am only guessing that you do actually press with heat press as opposed to 'hovering' with it but presumably the ink has to be dry first. Is that correct? Is this a particularly efficient method with water based ink. I know all the pro's say a tunnel dryer but I can't stretch to the cost of one at the moment. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Regards
Paul
Tunnel Dryer is ideal, but a flash dryer works as well if you are in a crunch. Look into buying a used flash dryer, or even a lower end new one.
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxZone
I am only guessing that you do actually press with heat press as opposed to 'hovering' with it but presumably the ink has to be dry first. Is that correct?
Yes, you press not hover, so yes, the ink should be dry first (which doesn't take that long).
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxZone
Is this a particularly efficient method with water based ink.
No, but it beats a hand iron.
A heat press is something people will sometimes have around anyway, which is where they're a particularly handy solution.
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Thanks for that Lewis
You're right it is something I've got which is why I asked. Would it be as quick as a flash unit because it seems as though the wattage of around 2500 is comparable with some flash units.
Regards
Paul
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Just had a thought (beginners luck!)... Has anyone used a quartz infrared heater to make their own flash curer. These heaters appear to use the same short wave infrared radiation as the flash curer units and can be purchased quite cheaply. Any thoughts???
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxZone
Just had a thought (beginners luck!)... Has anyone used a quartz infrared heater to make their own flash curer. These heaters appear to use the same short wave infrared radiation as the flash curer units and can be purchased quite cheaply. Any thoughts???
Regards
Paul
I know it's been a while since you posted here, but was curious to know if you ever tried that quartz infrared heater to flash and how were the results?
Re: Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature?
Waterbase needs to reach about 315f-320f for 60-80 seconds to cure it. If you were going to use a heat press to cure it, make sure it's set around that range if not slightly higher. Using a flash unit only would be in-advisable IMO. A flash unit gets too hot and will begin to scorch the garment after not too long. It will probably scorch before completely curing the waterbase. If I were doing it, I would flash for 30-45 seconds to make it dry to the touch, then heat press it for probably 60-80 seconds. Watch for any wet ink to stay on the heat press plate when you lift up. You'll need to wipe it off or chance some ghosting or funky build up.
This is a discussion about Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature? that was posted in the Screen Printing section of the forums.
Using a heat press to cure water based ink: how long and at what temperature? 
