Hi everyone, I have a few questions.. I'm sorry but it's not about printing on Shirts..
I just built a 1 color screen printing press to print signs.. I have been researching this for a while but there is a few bits of information that I cannot seem to find anywhere..
I will be printing on Coroplast plastic (it's the currogated) Plastic and I'm confused on what type of INK and size of Mesh Count I should use and even what type of mesh I can use.. Can I go to a Fabric Store and pick up this mesh? if so what do I even call it so they can find it for me? what mesh size should I be using to print on plastic, and what types of ink adhere to this plastic?
sorry for all the questionmarks!.. lol but any help would be appreciated.
Re: Screen Printing on Plastic? Lots of questions!
bob-
you'll need an air-dry ink, most likely a solvent based. You'll also need drying racks or some method to separate the coro after it's printed.
contact any large ink supplier. nazdar is the only one off the top of my head. they'll be able to reccomend an ink for coroplast and also give you manufacturer's specs for mesh counts, dry times, etc...
Re: Screen Printing on Plastic? Lots of questions!
Quote:
Originally Posted by darwinchristian
bob-
you'll need an air-dry ink, most likely a solvent based. You'll also need drying racks or some method to separate the coro after it's printed.
contact any large ink supplier. nazdar is the only one off the top of my head. they'll be able to reccomend an ink for coroplast and also give you manufacturer's specs for mesh counts, dry times, etc...
Thanks for the info, I just built some air drying racks.. I will look around for suppliers and give the one you suggested a call.
Re: Screen Printing on Plastic? Lots of questions!
i use nazdar 7900 series corogloss. works well at around 180 mesh for most stuff. some use a higher mesh, but it will dry pretty quick in the screen if it's warm out. in the summer i use the retarder thinner to slow it down some.
i'm gearing up to do mine at home using my dryer and a fan. with some belt speed trial and error, i'm hoping they should be dry as the come out. the 50 rack at my dad's shop would be a luxury, but it'd take up most of what's left of my 2 car garage shop.
Re: Screen Printing on Plastic? Lots of questions!
i can print signs close to 6-8/min, on our flatbed auto more like 12/min. even then, if your ink isn't thinned right, it will either dry out, or get close and make what we call spider webs coming from the ink getting stretched from the screen to the sign when it's really sticky.
Re: Screen Printing on Plastic? Lots of questions!
ahh, I understand this now..
is there any other type of ink available that is just as durable but takes longer to dry? wait time isn't a big issue, if it has to sit on the rack for 24h even.
I would just be worried about messing up and having to stop for a short period of time to fix something..
Screen Printing on Plastic? Lots of questions! 
