Hey, I have some Union metallic silver plastosol ink, I love how it looks, but after it goes through the dryer the ink is all rough. I was wondering what the technique would be to combat this. Would softhand work or is there something else to make the final product smoother?
Thanks
-Travis
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DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THE INK!!! lol. I just messed up an order by adding soft hand base and discharge to the metallic ink. It doesn't have the metallic ink after going through the dryer, and the ink washes off.
What mesh are you printing through? How hot are your shirts getting in the dryer?
Well, the first batch I did was through 110, but I was going to do this new batch with 156. And I have my conveyor set to about 475-500 degrees at a fairly quick belt speed. Maybe it's getting too hot?
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I would not use any mesh higher than 140 as the silver particles won't go through very well. 110 is better. It's possible you are getting some kind of re melt with your ink. Metalic inks are normally a little harder to cure so you would want a little higher temp though. If the prints look good before they go into the dryer I guess I'd try some different dryer settings. Maybe turn the temp down a little. Is there anything weird about the garment your printing on? Are they just 100% cotton T's?
Is there anything weird about the garment your printing on? Are they just 100% cotton T's?
Yeah, the problem is, though, my art is kinda small and intricate with alot of little thin lines everywhere, but maybe I'll have to use just 110. They're regular Gildan 100% cotton tees.
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We use 83 mesh.
With higher mesh you might be using to much pressure so your pushing the mesh into the ink.
So when the mesh comes up it brings the ink with it instead of shearing it.
Don't add anything to the ink.
No underbase for darks.
Works great right form the can.
To hot, the ink will boil/bubble.
Printing with silver ink 
