Plastisol Transfers: Screens clear the same as printing fabric???

1118 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Frienzy, May 10, 2012

TableSyrup

Discussion Starter · May 7, 2012

Tried to be fairly descriptive with the title... but...

When printing plastisol transfers, should the screen clear the same as it does when printing fabric (like 100% cotton shirts) ???

I printed up some plastisol transfers. Hats turned out great, so I'd say it was a success.... but, I ganged my art for the transfer paper (12 copies), and I had around 20% waste from crummy prints.

It wasn't consistent to which copy of the logo it was either, so that tells me it doesn't necessarily indicate an issue like a dirty spot on the screen...

Just wondering about this, as it was my first round on anything outside of clothing.

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TableSyrup

Discussion Starter · #2 · May 7, 2012

I just realized I wasn't specific as to the problem, sorry.

The screen wasn't clearing completely consistently.

I am using Trans French transfer paper.

Randomly, and inconsistently, spots of the screen wouldn't clear completely and some areas would be blotchy.

This is not a problem I have had with Fabrics.

Made the screen the same way as I do for shirts.

I realize I may need to make a thicker stencil for these than I do for shirts, in order to get a good deposit in one hit - so I can avoid P/F/P

I just don't know if this inconsistent clearing thing is a trait of printing to transfer paper, or if I should compensate somehow?

Sorry if these are poor questions for some reason.
I have watched a lot of videos and have done a lot of reading on printing transfers, however, I am not seeing particulars on making screens, ink additives if necessary (other than the adhesive powder), or anything else particular to printing transfers.... at least not as much info as I have found for printing garments.

The blotching appeared to be my only issue....
By blotching I mean, random spots of no ink or very thin ink, which makes me afraid to try to use those prints for transfer, as I believe they would leave ink-less or transparent spots.

Thanx for any pointers.

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TYGERON

· #3 · May 8, 2012

You are correct that the ink should clear the screen just like printing a t-shirt or any other material. The issue you're having could be caused by a number of things.
You should have even, consistent slight off contact,
a bit of spray tack or vacuum platen, properly mixed ink, sharp squeegee, angle speed, pressure etc. And make sure your emulsion layer/thickness is smooth and consistent across the whole screen.

But one thing to be particularly concerned with is a flat, smooth platen/surface. No nicks, no lint, stray threads, dips, warps or anything.

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TableSyrup

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 8, 2012 (Edited)

Yeah. Thanx

I'm gettin killer prints on shirts, but was having issues with this and just wasn't sure if it had to do with the paper

It's the screen then. Cause, like I said, I'm not having this problem on shirts, just popped up when doing these transfers

New Squeegee, New Ink, Solid Step 7 per Stouffer on a 110.... (All just used on some shirts too)

But shame on me, cause I haven't been degreasing my screens either

But I did go buy some degreaser

Thanx for the confirmation

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Frienzy

· #5 · May 10, 2012

TableSyrup,
you don't get it on shirts because cotton is absorbent material, like it is getting ink from mesh itself with a little force from squeegee.
But paper isn't absorbent and here you have to adjust your printing technique to reach consistent good results. If you aren't using too thick stencil - try not to flood the screen and print at 45 squeegee angle.
If the stencil is thick make sure you are filling the screen even - sometimes it takes even two flood strokes for very thick stencils. Also you may want to adjust your ink viscosity if your stencil is thick - couse if your ink is thin it will not hold together and start to smear.

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