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How to cure water based ink

5456 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  HeyMonkey
ok, I am new in screen printing and done some prints using WB ink (Chaiyaboon Brothers brand). Any idea how to cure the ink? I usually ending up prints with Crack and Washout on first wash. My curing process was my only Heatpress which I set for 320 for 20sec. Do you think I'm doing wrong with it? Tips and suggestion greatly appreciated "Sorry for I have a bad English" Details: Ink : Water Based Brand : Chaiyaboon brand from Thailand Machines used : Heatpress Hair Blower (I have no money to buy flash cure unit) Thanks guys
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Use a heatgun there are YouTube videos to help search curing with a heatgun
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have you use this ink before? what's the setting of heat press will be?
No I never used your water based brand.

Generally most of water based ink cure the same way.

20s in far not enough with water base

320°F is fine

I would do 2 x 2mn, and open the press every 2 minutes to let moisture get out.
Then wash test.

Better to wash test after 48h - 72h after curing. (some brand of ink recommand it)
Best results is forced air to evaporate all the moisture in the water based ink that is why a heat gun works beter than a heat press for curing water based inks, heatpress will not allow the moisture to escape so I would still recomend using a heat gun.

I only print with water based inks and cure with a heat gun and have never had a shirt wash out, it is time consuming on larger prints but effective and affordable if you cannot/do not want a tunnel dryer.

Curing Water Based Screen Printing Ink Drying Silk Screening Ink DVD part 6 - YouTube

video on using a heat gun
I agree with onetrickypony. I recommend a forced air dryer and flash to cure your garments.
Instead of actually pressing the shirt, perhaps increase the temperature a bit but don't bring the heated element all the way into contact with the shirt. Set it up with something to hold it about 1/4 inch or so OFF the shirt to allow the moisture to escape, and do it for a couple of minutes.
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Forced air is optimal but not at all necessary. I use (out of necessity) an old coil flash unit until I can upgrade and my shirts are curing great. I hit them between 330 and 350 (uneven heat with my unit) for 2 minutes 15 seconds. This is on an Anvil 980 Ringspun Cotton Shirt using Comet White, Jaquard White and Ryonet White Water Based.
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