Curing Alternatives

4822 Views 20 Replies 8 Participants Last post by selanac, Mar 22, 2012

Privitmj

Discussion Starter · Mar 16, 2012

Hello, I'm new to screen printing. I haven't purchased any equipment yet but I've been doing a TON of research. I'd like to get a fairly basic screen printing press first (with micro registration) and see how much I like it. Having said that, I'd prefer not to have to buy a $600 flash curing machine. Are there any good alternatives? I've read that a space heater or heat gun will work for flash curing, but would they work to cure the shirt all the way through (not sure if that is the proper terminology... but I know when you are flash curing for multiple colors you are only drying the top layer...).

Also, can anyone recommend a single color press? I was debating on getting the one that the guy offers on youtees.net

Any feedback is appreciated!

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

cyclesurgeon

· #2 · Mar 16, 2012

Privitmi,

If you want to take a shot at a simple press with microreg do it on the cheap and build it yourself (it's real easy). You can find FREE plans for what you're looking for at http://www.weekendwarrior.net84.net (Episode 8). If you need some building demo, there's video too. A little wood, a few cuts and a little sanding and you'll be on your way.

On another note: I started with waterbased inks so I flash with a heat gun and cure with a heat press made from an electric skillet (kinda cheesy but it works great for curing)

selanac

· #3 · Mar 16, 2012

Ryonet has so low cost starters that work really well.

You really don't need Micro Registration. It's easier to just learn how to register. The Registration Gate will keep your colors registered.

Look for Ryonets Silver screen printing presses. There website's under the Preferred Vendor list on the lefthand side of this page way down on the bottom: SilkScreeningSupplies.com

Arizona

· #4 · Mar 16, 2012

You can also check craigslist in your/nearby city. Lots of good deals if you keep a good watch.

cyclesurgeon

· #5 · Mar 16, 2012

Arizona said:
You can also check craigslist in your/nearby city. Lots of good deals if you keep a good watch.

Yeah, that too. There's another recent post about someone that got a KILLER deal on a flash and a bunch of inks for $100.

Privitmj

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 16, 2012

Yea I've been checking craigslist with no luck just yet. I don't mind spending $200-$300 on a starter kit... but $1k is too much in the event i decide SP is not for me

Privitmj

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 16, 2012

Well, I would like to print with more than one color. Registration isn't that important for that? I surely don't want to spend the $100 silkscreenprinting.com wants to charge for that... It seems like their package is a good deal but eventually it would be useless to me or I'd have to spend a buttload to upgrade it...

Greatzky

· #8 · Mar 16, 2012

Privitmj said:
Hello, I'm new to screen printing. I haven't purchased any equipment yet but I've been doing a TON of research. I'd like to get a fairly basic screen printing press first (with micro registration) and see how much I like it. Having said that, I'd prefer not to have to buy a $600 flash curing machine. Are there any good alternatives? I've read that a space heater or heat gun will work for flash curing, but would they work to cure the shirt all the way through (not sure if that is the proper terminology... but I know when you are flash curing for multiple colors you are only drying the top layer...).

Also, can anyone recommend a single color press? I was debating on getting the one that the guy offers on youtees.net

Any feedback is appreciated!

If you are going to spend the money on a press with Micros why wouldn't you want a flash? Curing with a Heat gun will take FOREVER and will leave very inconsistent results. It's worth the money to get a flash.
Look for at least a 16x16 (I have an 18x20 now) and they have to be an Infrared panel.. NO HEAT COIL. those are not consistent either.

I bought a starter kit from Ryonet (WISH I waited 3 more months when they started producing the SILVER PRESS) and it included a heat gun and a flash. I couldn't imagine using the heat gun. Never used it.

Privitmj

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 16, 2012

Well ideally id like a flash. i was looking for a cheap alternative to start with. I will eventually get a good flash if i decide to stick with screen printing.

Greatzky

· #10 · Mar 16, 2012

if you have to go that way...
the heat gun will work, but it will take a long time and you might not cure everything evenly.
You could try to use a quartz worklight as a flash/cure device.. make sure you are wearing sunglasses as the light can really damage your eyes.. there should be some threads about that.
You can even use an oven. Line the rack with tin foil.. You just need to make sure you get the ink to 320 to cure. There should also be posts about how to do this.

No matter what you are going to want to get a temp gun. You should be able to find them on ebay for $50 or so. The One i have is from Poconoscreen.com and I paid $50 for it at a tradeshow(usually $90 i think).

BroJames

· #11 · Mar 17, 2012

A halogen worklamp is more efficient than a heat gun. A few spotlights will also do. A halogen oven or turbo broiler works fine for me and the temp control comes in handy. I've used heat guns, halogen worklamp and halogen ovens.

people have also tried space warmers.

SnBshirts

· #12 · Mar 20, 2012

Priv- I believe we are in the same boat, I am just a few steps ahead. I am new to SP as well, just bought a 2 color silver press kit. Came with a heat gun. First lot of shirts I did with black ink came out great- 2nd lot with white ink looked good, until I washed them and most of the ink came out due to improper curing.

Now I have people wanting me to make some shirts and I'm worried they will not be cured right. So I am also looking for some more info about other methods of curing.

There are some reasonably priced new flash dryers on eBay for $275 with free shipping, but I'm guess they will still not totally cure the ink? I did a lot of research (or so I thought) before getting into this, but never found much about the curing process.

D3L0C4T3D

· #13 · Mar 20, 2012

I was one of thoes cheap guys back in the cut and trust me dont be cheap. Either jump in with both feet or stand on the sidelines and watch/wish/or what ifs. If you can afford it get it, with out a flash or co.veyor dryer there is no way you can do anythi.g on a business level. If you simply want to play around and make a few shirts for famy and friends a space heater will work, a griddle, or a heat gun. Hell you can even toss them in the oven. But if I wanted shirts do.e and I saw you drying shirts with a space heater you would not get my business.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using T-Shirt Forums

BroJames

· #14 · Mar 20, 2012

SnBshirts said:
Priv- I believe we are in the same boat, I am just a few steps ahead. I am new to SP as well, just bought a 2 color silver press kit. Came with a heat gun. First lot of shirts I did with black ink came out great- 2nd lot with white ink looked good, until I washed them and most of the ink came out due to improper curing.

Now I have people wanting me to make some shirts and I'm worried they will not be cured right. So I am also looking for some more info about other methods of curing.

There are some reasonably priced new flash dryers on eBay for $275 with free shipping, but I'm guess they will still not totally cure the ink? I did a lot of research (or so I thought) before getting into this, but never found much about the curing process.

Post the ebay link and let's see.

You can use a heat press to cure. It will slow down production a little bit but not everyone prints like a robot 8 hours a day.

You can use a halogen lamp. To make things easier you'll need an IR gun ($40-50?) or better a temp probe. I've seen one that cost $85.

D3L0C4T3D said:
I was one of thoes cheap guys back in the cut and trust me dont be cheap. Either jump in with both feet or stand on the sidelines and watch/wish/or what ifs. If you can afford it get it, with out a flash or co.veyor dryer there is no way you can do anythi.g on a business level. If you simply want to play around and make a few shirts for famy and friends a space heater will work, a griddle, or a heat gun. Hell you can even toss them in the oven. But if I wanted shirts do.e and I saw you drying shirts with a space heater you would not get my business.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using T-Shirt Forums

A commercial curing unit would be best but if you're a guy who won't be beaten before the match ever started then whether you have a suit or are just wearing shorts, still jump in. But either way know what you're jumping into.

Heat guns are definitely slow not to mention the back, elbow and neck aches you'll have. A griddle has wide gaps(between heating coils) so you need to rotate or move the shirt a couple of times for a better cure. I have not used s space heater but I have used a worklamp with success. But you must have an IR temp gun or a temp probe and take extra effort to ensure an even coverage.

Reminds me of a shop here. They have rotary press, flash cure, conveyor dryer, etc. Mostly (if not all) M&R. In a country where simple line table printing system is the predominant method for screen printing they lose no opportunity bragging about their equipment.

They work/print 6 days a week and work(print) overtime often. Daily last Christmas.

I was in their shop one time and a staff in shorts and slippers approached the manager and guess what I saw. The staff was holding a wood frame with a "T" guide on top of the 1x1-1/2 wood frame. That's about half of the size of the wood frame that many printers uses.

And the "T" guide is a registration system used in a line table system. So much for their "superior" equipment.

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SnBshirts

· #15 · Mar 20, 2012

BroJames- so is the sole purpose of the flash cure just to keep the ink from coming off the shirt if it touches anything? ie- screen, fingers, unprinted areas of the shirt itself etc? If so, I believe the heat gun is doing fine for me now- which brings me to my main problem of the final cure. I think I am going to go with a heat press, I found one on eBay for $204 new shipped to my door. It seems cheap compared to the other presses... Is it a hunk of crap? I probably would not do any more than 30 shirts a time right now, time is not a big issue with me as of yet, but quality of what I put out is.

Look at this on eBay:

15X15 SUBLIMATION DIGITAL HEAT PRESS MACHINE TRANSFER

http://bit.ly/GBd7ki

BroJames

· #16 · Mar 20, 2012

If you expect to print 30 shirts at a time then printing speed is not much of a concern. I'd prefer a heat press by sunie or gecko or proworld with some limited warranty. These cheaper press are made in China and without a brand or distributor you may have some problem if you need repairs.

Flash cure is designed for flashing although it can final cure. A heat gun is better for flashing than curing but a halogen lamp is even better than a heat gun but it is "less natural" flashing with a lamp. And the tubes have a rather short life though but it is cheap.

Privitmj

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 20, 2012

Excellent! Thanks for all the tips. I never looked into a heat press. Any recommendations? Does a heat gun work well for flashing?

selanac

· #18 · Mar 21, 2012

Heat Guns are okay for Flashing, but a Flash Dryer works much better.

I didn't like using the Heat Press for Flashing. You'd have to take the t-shirt off the press, and it's almost impossible to line it up again. You could use the Heat Press to cure, but I'd flash it first and let it sit for a while.

SnBshirts

· #19 · Mar 21, 2012

I think the heat gun works ok for low production like I am doing.

I just ordered a heat press off of eBay today for $204.99 with free shipping. It has a one year warranty, but I'm sure you get what you pay for... But I just don't have the budget for a real nice US made one yet

BroJames

· #20 · Mar 21, 2012

From what I heard most problems with China made press is the durability but not pushing it to the limit (a few dozen shirts per run) should be OK. Earlier releases have more problems with even heat but unless you have a large cold spot, that should not be critical in curing.

Good luck with your press.

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