plastisol inks, can i cure them?

41146 Views 60 Replies 25 Participants Last post by RichardGreaves, Nov 15, 2015

Littledignan

Discussion Starter · Nov 11, 2008

Hi,
I was wondering if it was possible to cure plastisol inks with a heat gun, by hand? If so, what is a good way to check if they have been properly cured? or, is there anyone in the bay area with a belt dryer or a flash dryer that they would be willing to let me use to cure 72 garments, or has one that they want to sell for fairly cheep?

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drivernumberone

· #2 · Nov 11, 2008

although i don't live in the bay area, i do know it is possible to cure plastisol with a heat gun. It takes a lot longer than using a flash dryer or conveyor dryer (which i'm sure you know) but it can get the job done if you are patient.

A good way of telling if the ink is cured (if you don't own a temp gun) is by doing a stretch test. Before you do that, make sure the ink is dry to the touch. After the ink is dry, Grab one part of the design between your thumb and four finger in both hands and stretch it. If the ink cracks, it isn't fully cured. If it stretches then you should be good. Ink needs to reach at least 320 before it is cured, so keep that in mind.

Another good indicator that it is cured/curing properly is if the ink you are focused on starts to smoke slightly. This is completely normal.

Use extreme diligence when curing all those shirts though. It will take a very long time to get all of them done with just a heat gun. Make sure you don't get impatient and don't properly cure a shirt!

Hope that helps!

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JeridHill

· #3 · Nov 11, 2008

Littledignan said:
Hi,
I was wondering if it was possible to cure plastisol inks with a heat gun, by hand? If so, what is a good way to check if they have been properly cured? or, is there anyone in the bay area with a belt dryer or a flash dryer that they would be willing to let me use to cure 72 garments, or has one that they want to sell for fairly cheep?

I would just add that using a heat gun by hand will be a very long process. And of course, you need to make sure the entire image is cured properly. If you overcure any one area, you could have problems with the washout as well.

I have a friend who started his business using his mother's kitchen oven. I'm not saying it was pretty, but 72 shirts is an awful lot to try to cure by hand. I would crank up the heat and when the shirt starts to smoke, your good to go.

Of course, you don't want it to smell like last nights dinner, so I'd check to make sure all is clean and probably put aluminum foil on the rack first.

studog79

· #4 · Nov 11, 2008

If its a large print I would think you would have trouble making sure the whole shirt is cured. Instead of a stretch test put it in the washer a few times.

wormil

· #5 · Nov 15, 2008

Trying to cure 72 shirts with a heat gun would be like trying to sweep a warehouse with a toothbrush, you're headed for epic failure. I recommend bypassing a lot of frustration and just subbing the work out to a screenprinter.

nuclearmaker

· #6 · Dec 8, 2008

haha,
anyone get idea to diy conveyor ?
i want to cure plastisol in home,

wormil

· #7 · Dec 8, 2008

nuclearmaker said:
haha,
anyone get idea to diy conveyor ?
i want to cure plastisol in home,

There are a couple of threads about the subject. When I first printed shirts out of a garage in the 80's we used a home built curing oven - built from plywood and insulated with stove insulation. You could probably get a cheap used home oven, clean it and accomplish the same thing.

Reactions: 1

nuclearmaker

· #8 · Dec 8, 2008

wah,
can use toaster oven ?

cmyk

· #9 · Dec 8, 2008

you can use a heat gun to flash the ink (for about 20-30 sec, until the entire image is dry ant slightly sticky to the touch), and then use a heat press for the final cure ( 330-350 degrees for 20 sec), with a sheet of baking paper on top of the image.
this is how i do it, as i don't have a flash unit or a conveyor dryer.
it is not the fastest method, but is faster than using a heat gun only, and the heat press gives a smooth feel and look when dealing with white plastisol ink.

Reactions: 2

nuclearmaker

· #10 · Dec 8, 2008

thx cmyk,

any alternative?

glenjayz

· #11 · Aug 5, 2009

how about using halogen bulbs that emits 320 degrees F of heat...

i think this is doable...

we just need to calculate how much watts to use in order to have a 320 degrees output...

midwaste

· #12 · Aug 5, 2009

There are several threads about using 500W halogens to flash, but I don't know about using them to cure. They don't put out THAT much heat, and you would have the same difficulty in getting even curing as you would with a heat gun.
I use an old kitchen oven. There's tons of threads on this as well. It's not nearly as fast as a conveyor, but it's consistent.

glenjayz

· #13 · Aug 6, 2009

how about 50 pcs. of 500 watts halogen lamp

dk8100

· #14 · Aug 7, 2009

I used to cure prints with a halogen lamp with the UV glass removed. It takes a long time and is not very precise. You will need a temp gun, some sunglasses, long sleeve shirts, and lots of patience. The oven route might be a better idea. If you make a stand for the halogens(if you use more than one it might provide more uniform heat) it can work though.

brad99

· #15 · Aug 12, 2009

if you add a tiny amount of puff additive to your ink, you'll be able to see the ink cure as you use a gun. If you use a small amount, rather than puffing up the ink will just take on a matt finish.

And you'll be there forever! sub it out!

Reactions: 1

drunkswithapress

· #16 · Aug 23, 2009

I just made 32 shirts for a fire dept. and 10 for a taxidermy service. I cured them ALL with a heat gun. It sucks balls but i made money (230.00) and that will allow me to buy a variable temperature heat gun that i can set to 320 to make sure the shirts are fully cured.

In answering your question, yes, it can be done, but it is time consuming. It takes longer to dry the shirts then to print them. Stick with it to make money, and then get a flash, make some more money, then get a conveyor. That's my plan.

nuclearmaker

· #17 · Oct 23, 2009

i plan to built conveyer using 6 of 500w halogen.is it perfect to cure the t-shirt?

antman712

· #18 · Dec 21, 2009

Can you just put a shirt in a oven at 350 degrees F.

BroJames

· #19 · Feb 23, 2010

glenjayz said:
how about using halogen bulbs that emits 320 degrees F of heat...

i think this is doable...

we just need to calculate how much watts to use in order to have a 320 degrees output...

A 500w halogen emits 350F at 1 inch distance.

chard

· #20 · Feb 23, 2010

BroJames said:
A 500w halogen emits 350F at 1 inch distance.

how did you arrived at that temp?is this a statement of a fact?

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