[jjjester]

How important is using a tunnel dryer to dry your shirts? I've heard horror stories of guys not using them and the print washing off.

 

[selanac]

I believe it's more of a convience for us screen printers to have and use one. There's a tread on this forum about someone using a heat press.

 

[Solmu]

Pretty important. They're more than just a convenience; any other method is a 'make do' option at best. It's hard to be sure you've applied consistent heat at a high enough temperature to cure. Even with a tunnel dryer is takes testing to be sure, but it's a lot more reliable than any other way.

 

[Celtic]

A conveyor dryer (tunnel dryer) is much more efficient. Like the others have said, you still want to check them with a temp gun from time to time to be sure of the temps, but it is by far the best choice for curing your inks.

 

[jjjester]

Kind of what I was expecting to hear, I'm looking at buying something along the lines of this package, all I will need to get then is an exposure unit, screens, inks, chemicals etc...

T SHIRT & SCREEN PRINTING EQUIPMENT PRINTING MACHINES on eBay (end time 19-Aug-10 06:37:09 BST)

What do you guys think?

 

[Celtic]

I don't see any details about that conveyor dryer (tunnel), you know as far as if there are temp and belt speed controls. But, in general, you want a dryer that your print will fit into to fully cure (you can always turn a large print sideways through the dryer) but it helps so much to be able to control the temp and belt speed. As far as the length, sure the shorter dryers are fine, slower production, but, I have a 5ft dryer and I'm a one woman shop. It works fine for me. I typically do multi color work, so I can pace with the dryer.

 

[signz in oz]

is smoke normal? though your dryer...im getting to 150c its not burning or changing colours, but it is smoking abit, should i worry? does yours do the same?

 

[selanac]

The smoke hopefully is the heat drying out the moisture. I'd increase the speed of the belt slightly. If you don't have a temp control, buy a heat gun and text the temp when the t-shirts are coming out of the conveyor.