Hello everyone,
I am new here and I need some help.
I make and design DIY clothing that I sell on the "popular" auction website, there are so many of us on there that do it that I want to set myself apart, so I decided to try out screen printing.
I bought one of those ready made speedball kits and I am using the drawing fluid and screen filler method. The images come out fine and I am having no problem with that at all.
My problem is that I am putting these images on girls form fitting shirts and the images are cracking when stretched. So I need to know how to fix that.
I have read about different inks from the speedball iron set (which I am using) to air drying and oven cured. I don't think I can afford one of those ovens or flash dryers, and this is only something I am doing on the side and I dont to spend $100's.
So if anyone could help me out it would be greatly appreciated!
Hello everyone,
I am new here and I need some help.
I make and design DIY clothing that I sell on the "popular" auction website, there are so many of us on there that do it that I want to set myself apart, so I decided to try out screen printing.
I bought one of those ready made speedball kits and I am using the drawing fluid and screen filler method. The images come out fine and I am having no problem with that at all.
My problem is that I am putting these images on girls form fitting shirts and the images are cracking when stretched. So I need to know how to fix that.
I have read about different inks from the speedball iron set (which I am using) to air drying and oven cured. I don't think I can afford one of those ovens or flash dryers, and this is only something I am doing on the side and I dont to spend $100's.
So if anyone could help me out it would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for taking the time to read!
it's not that you need help with inks.. it's that you need to cure your ink more.. when the ink is properly cured.. there shouldn't be any cracking! raise the temp of your dryer...
Then stop staring (sorry). It's entirely possible that the Speedball ink is simply no good for what you're trying to do, especially if it's lighter inks on dark fabric. I've read elsewhere that the stuff is prone to cracking, and even with commercial plastisol inks, thin layers to achieve a soft hand printed on the small shirts (and ribbed shirts especially) favored by younger women to favorably showcase their, um, "charms", it is sometimes necessary to mix in stretch additives so the ink doesn't appear to break open as the jersey material stretches apart. I know speedball is a quick cheap way to get going, but it's pretty much considered hobby material, and if you're selling shirts online, you'll be competing with some doing this professionally. You don't want to be getting negative feedback from customers buying your stuff on that "popular" auction site. You also might try a commercial waterbased textile ink that will soak into the fabric more than sit on top. You won't be printing a lot of white ink black shirts, but if you design your stuff to avoid that, those inks may work a lot better for you.
So where do I find these stretch additives?
And these commercial textile inks you speak of, how do they need to be cured? and what are they called/named?
I can't help but stare at my cracked shirts! Lol Thank you for noticing my mispell!
I am not so worried about the color of the shirt, I just want the image to look good and last.
Thank you for your response.
So where do I find these stretch additives?
And these commercial textile inks you speak of, how do they need to be cured? and what are they called/named?
I can't help but stare at my cracked shirts! Lol Thank you for noticing my mispell!
I am not so worried about the color of the shirt, I just want the image to look good and last.
Thank you for your response.
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I would look at some of the sites listed as preferred vendors. I bet some of them sell different inks and additives.
So where do I find these stretch additives?
And these commercial textile inks you speak of, how do they need to be cured? and what are they called/named?
The stretch additives are for plastisol inks, which have to be heat cured at around 300 degrees. The waterbased inks can be cured with a catalyst added. I don't know if there are stretch additives for waterbased, but as I mentioned, the ink tends to soak into the fiber and isn't as prone to cracking. Union Ink is very popular (www.unionink.com). They have waterbased and plastisols. Ther are other manufacturers also. You'll have to do a little more research to find something specific that will work with your printing setup and with the results you want. I do all plastisol, and unless I print really thin on darks, the cracking isn't a problem.
Not sure about Speedball inks but I get good results on ribbed cloth by pushing the waterbase ink into the thread. I use alot of force. I like to see alot of the image on the inside of the cloth.
The stretch additives are for plastisol inks, which have to be heat cured at around 300 degrees. The waterbased inks can be cured with a catalyst added. I don't know if there are stretch additives for waterbased, but as I mentioned, the ink tends to soak into the fiber and isn't as prone to cracking. Union Ink is very popular (www.unionink.com). They have waterbased and plastisols. Ther are other manufacturers also. You'll have to do a little more research to find something specific that will work with your printing setup and with the results you want. I do all plastisol, and unless I print really thin on darks, the cracking isn't a problem.
So plastisol inks have to be cured at 300 degress and had to be done in a flash dryer or the conveyor oven? There is no other way to reach that temp right?
From the way it sounds those inks give best results?
I was reading about the aquabrite inks that cure at room temp, anyone tried those?
I definetly want to use what is best, and if I have to break down and buy the flash unit I can, but will that work for the plastisol inks? or does it have to be the con.oven?
And stretch addivites, this is something that HAS to be done with the inks on stretch fabrics?
One moe questions for you, if I switch to these other inks, can I still do the drawing fluid-screen fill method? or do I have to start burning screens to do these inks?
Just staring and I need help with inks 
Re: Just staring and I need help with inks 
Re: Just staring and I need help with inks
