aplusbowling

Currently all I've been using is plastisol. But, a customer wants some hand towels printed. After researching, I've found that water based inks are the best route. I only have a few questions...

1.) Can most of my chemicals that I use for plastisol be used to clean and reclaim my screens? I know I need water resistant emulsion, and some type of screen opener for water based inks, but what about my emulsion remover, degreaser and screen wash?

2.) While looking at the Union Aerotex inks I noticed that a catalyst is recommended to use with the ink. What is this catalyst for? Is it necessary?

3.) What is the best mesh size to use? 156?

Thanks!

 

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splathead

1. You shouldn't need screen wash, just water. But for hard to remove ink, Sprayaway makes a waterbased screen opener/cleaner. You can use the same emulsion remover and degreaser as you do for plastisol.

2. The catalyst is for wash fastness, and they don't just recommend it, it's mandatory unless you want your colors washing out. And once you mix in the catalyst the mixture is only good for a couple of days.

They do make a Unidye waterbased ink where the catalyst is optional. Without adding it, complete wash fastness takes 30 days unless you use a dryer.

3. The mesh size will really depend on what you are trying to achieve, and the ink you are using. 230 screen is possible, but that might be too high for opaque colors like whites. If you are looking to lay down a thicker coat, 156 is a way to do it. I have used 110 even.

 

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aplusbowling

Thanks Joe!

So what you are saying about the catalyst is only mix enough ink to do the job. If I mix all the catalyst in the ink, then the whole thing of ink will be unusable after about 2 days? This seems like a waste of catalyst solution to me....

 

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splathead

Quote: Originally Posted by aplusbowling Thanks Joe! So what you are saying about the catalyst is only mix enough ink to do the job. If I mix all the catalyst in the ink, then the whole thing of ink will be unusable after about 2 days? This seems like a waste of catalyst solution to me....

Exactly.

Catalysts are a real pain. They give you enough for an entire quart of ink but the mixing instructions are not that great so I was never sure if I was putting in too little or too much. So to make it easy on myself I would always take exactly 1/4 of the ink jar and 1/4 of the catalyst and mix. Still a waste on smaller runs, but not a complete quart waste.

 

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