[alissajoz]

I am also working with water based inks. I am currently using Speedball fabric inks on 100% cotton flour sack towels. Allowing them to air dry for up to 48 hours, sometimes longer. Have been using heat press to cure at 350d for 20 sec.Have also tried 325d 30 sec then opening x3. I have not had a design washout at all. However I have been doing a second batch (air dry, cured with heat press) and purposely tried to smudge ink following washing (not yet through dryer) by rubbing with just finger. However no fading/smudging while washed with other clothes including other whites/jeans. Some designs smudge slightly others did not budge. Worried since I have done a large batch for gifts already with this process. Have also been using the "rejected" prints in my kitchen daily without any smudging with regular use. Should I be using a better quality water based ink to prevent this?!

 

[splathead]

Air drying longer than the short time it takes the ink to dry on the material is a waste of time. Waterbased inks don't cure until set by heat-unless using a special additive.

Should you be using a professional ink? Absolutely. Speedball is for hobbyist.

Matsui, Permaset are a couple of the better ones.

 

[NoXid]

As @splathead said, I would suggest using professional inks.

My favorite is Permaset, but it costs a bit more (comes from Australia). This place seems to have the best prices on it:
https://www.waterbaseinkusa.com/

Matsui is used by many people and is widely available from shops that sell screen printing supplies. Green Galaxy is another decent ink; it is available from Ryonet.

I cure with a heat press. For most things, my target is about 330 for 30 seconds, with Permaset.

 

[BrownBoxMatt]

I agree that air drying beyond the time it takes for the ink to be dry to the touch is not helping with anything. Usually water based inks catalyze at temps above 300 degrees, however there are additives that will allow water based inks to fully air dry without the use of heat. I would avoid these if possible, because your ink will have a 24 hour shelf life after using the additive.

If you are having issues with specific ink colors, I would adjust the press time for your heat press upward a bit, or try giving it a second press. It is possible there is a small amount of moisture in the fabric that is preventing the ink from fully curing on the first press.

 

[fiveten]

I used SpeedBall when I started as a hobbyist, they actually work well for gift or small runs for friends. When air drying you never get all of the moisture out of the garment. Like the others said you will need to cure the ink to get it to last. If you are considering going beyond doing it as a hobby then you should invest in some professional ink. We use Matsui and cure with a heat press, so far so good!

 

[lostmase]

Yes switch ink. Try the Green Galaxy inks offered by Ryonet. They also offer warp drive to help with curing process

 

[plasmah77]

I use Matsui 301 spot black and cure with a heat press @330 for 30 seconds open and press again for 15 seconds. Works perfect.

 

[Comin'OutSwingin]

Yes switch ink. Try the Green Galaxy inks offered by Ryonet. They also offer warp drive to help with curing process

This!!!

You don't even need to let them air dry first. Use the warp drive and cure with the heat press, and you can use a lower temp because of the warp drive. They'll be fully cured.

 

[plasmah77]

Just a little update so anyone who wants to know.

I recently just did my first White Discharge print on black Gilden shirt. I use Enviroline D-White and after printing I cured in in my heat press @250f for 30 seconds opened and pressed for another 30 seconds. After that I put it in the wash and then the dryer. The shirt came out fantastic!

Just wanted to let anyone who was interested that a heat press can cure your water based INKS with no issue, Including discharge.

Hope that helps

Also my Heat Press is a cheap 15X15 $175.00 unit I got from Amazon