Ink mixing system
I'm looking into Buying a ink mixing system. Where should I start? Thanks.
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Hello!
All of the major ink manufacturers have different mixing system options.
You can contact your ink manufacturer of choice or your distributor. They can help you pick the best system for you!
I think you will really like using a mixing system!
Erin
All of the major ink manufacturers have different mixing system options.
You can contact your ink manufacturer of choice or your distributor. They can help you pick the best system for you!
I think you will really like using a mixing system!
Erin
The first step to an ink mixing system is demand and cost evaluation. Do you regularly have requests for custom PANTONE colors? Or colors that you don't regularly stock? Secondly, have you factored out (based on costs of kits and measuring equipment) how much extra you might have to charge a customer to cover the cost (time to mix, ink, etc) of offering this service?
Wilflex has a few different kits (MX, Equalizer, Quantum-One). Do you want a PVC and Pthalate free mixing system? This will cost more than the non-pthalate/pvc compliant MX kit.
I have the MX kit. I never even reference the PANTONE color guides because over the last 10 years I have NEVER once had a color mix incorrectly. Their formulas are fantastic and they offer a software program that instantly tells you what percentage (weight and volume) to mix for each PANTONE color in coated/uncoated. It even does some colored metallic mixes too.
I have a friend who has the Union Mixo-system at his shop. He complains he regularly has to reference the color guide and that the formulas aren't always accurate. Now this is just ONE person and could be his mixes, scale is off, etc. But he never really seemed confident with the system. My MX system really is flawless, and I've done a LOT of mixes over the past few years, and regularly re-mix colors for customers and have never had a problem.
If you run a high production shop, be prepared to buy an ink shaker, which can run you in the thousands. Mixing the ink takes time, some of the colors are thicker than others, so some colors can be harder than others. If it's a smaller shop mixing by hand isn't an issue.
Hope this helps you get started on the way. My personal recommendation is the Wilflex MX system if you're not required to have PVC/Pthalate Compliant inks. If you are, then go for the Quantum-One kit. It's essentially the same thing, but compliant.
Wilflex has a few different kits (MX, Equalizer, Quantum-One). Do you want a PVC and Pthalate free mixing system? This will cost more than the non-pthalate/pvc compliant MX kit.
I have the MX kit. I never even reference the PANTONE color guides because over the last 10 years I have NEVER once had a color mix incorrectly. Their formulas are fantastic and they offer a software program that instantly tells you what percentage (weight and volume) to mix for each PANTONE color in coated/uncoated. It even does some colored metallic mixes too.
I have a friend who has the Union Mixo-system at his shop. He complains he regularly has to reference the color guide and that the formulas aren't always accurate. Now this is just ONE person and could be his mixes, scale is off, etc. But he never really seemed confident with the system. My MX system really is flawless, and I've done a LOT of mixes over the past few years, and regularly re-mix colors for customers and have never had a problem.
If you run a high production shop, be prepared to buy an ink shaker, which can run you in the thousands. Mixing the ink takes time, some of the colors are thicker than others, so some colors can be harder than others. If it's a smaller shop mixing by hand isn't an issue.
Hope this helps you get started on the way. My personal recommendation is the Wilflex MX system if you're not required to have PVC/Pthalate Compliant inks. If you are, then go for the Quantum-One kit. It's essentially the same thing, but compliant.
Here are some http://www.t-shirtforums.com/asia/t115790.html in case someone is interested.
I have the Mixopake system, and the only problems I've noticed tend to be with red ink mixes not always being spot on. If I had it to do over, though, I'd get their regular mixing system as opposed to the high opacity one, simply because I underbase everything that goes on darks, and some of the Mixopake mixes are pretty stiff, especially if they have the Mixo white in them. Can be kind of gummy. Union does offer free a mixing program that runs on Windows, and allows you to mix any amount by ounces or grams. I use a cheap electronic postage scale to do mine. I've got an old triple-beam scale that I used to use. Oughta find a drug dealer to take that off my hands. ;-)
by far wilflex IMS is the best ink system out there!!!
Wilflex MX is the best we have used. Results are consistant and it tells you how much you need not just the ratio
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