[RPM0869]

hi world, lol im having a problem while im printing. idk why but its strange ive added curable reducer and print still come out ruff and like there's more in on some part of the design. here is a picture to show what i am talking about. the print doesnt come out even.

 

[xcelr8hard]

What are you printing on? What ink are you using? How is your off contact? PFP?
Looks like the fibers of the shirt are sticking in the ink, and the ink is not clearing the screen.
Increase your off contact and use a tight screen. Make sure the shirt is stuck to the platen and
not lifting with the screen.

Butch

 

[Greatzky]

i agree with the above comments. Do you have a heat press? you might be able to press it and get some of that a little flatter.

What type of shirt are you printing on?

 

[chuckh]

Things to consider:
Screen tension
Off Contact
Amount of adhesive on platen
Equal and consistent squeegee pressure
Print stroke speed
Warped frame
ink viscosity

 

[RPM0869]

I Appreciate the quick Response,
I am printing on Next Level 3600 Tee's
im using local supply shop ink - Florida Flex
i am doing a pfp
off contact is good
im starting to think it is the screen tension.
anything else it could be?
my stroke is consistent.
what do you recommend a pull then pull stroke or push?

 

[chuckh]

After many years of being stubborn, I've realized that push has many advantages over pulling in almost all situations.

 

[RPM0869]

im going to try pushing, you guys think i should add some softhand?

 

[sben763]

im going to try pushing, you guys think i should add some softhand?

Watch a few videos or take plenty of test. When pushing it is easy to skew especially if the screen is loose.

I add 5-10% curable reducer and 5-10% soft hand to almost all my inks amounts depend on color and design but I use mostly higher mesh and newmans at 30+ ncm

 

[BroJames]

Watch a few videos or take plenty of test. When pushing it is easy to skew especially if the screen is loose.

I add 5-10% curable reducer and 5-10% soft hand to almost all my inks amounts depend on color and design but I use mostly higher mesh and newmans at 30+ ncm

what mesh count do your usually use?

 

[sben763]

I have 3-110 2-156 about 75 230-380.I use these mostly. I get an almost water based feel from plastisol.

 

[BroJames]

thanks. I ask because I really hate adding stuff to inks. Usually just soft hand. If ink feels too thick then reducers. I use mostly 230 mesh for the top prints though. Just need to see what others are doing.

I forgot to ask why "color and design" dictates the amount of reducers and softhand you add. Does you decide based on viscosity or opacity?

 

[sben763]

Color because of the viscosity of different inks. Design depending on halftones and amount of halftones or size of detail. I never add more than 20% total additive combined.

 

[BroJames]

Thanks. Maybe I should try adding reducers a little bit often.

 

[sben763]

To be honest I don't think soft hand thins ink much at all that's why I use both curable reducer and soft hand. I have seen where some guys add as much as 25% soft hand But I have never used that much or a combination. http://www.t-shirtforums.com/show-your-stuff-screen-printing-print-job-examples/t183228.html. This print was white underbase 15%CR 5%SH YELLOW 10%CR 10%SH RED 7.5% CR 7.5%SH BLUE SAME AS RED. black untouched.
http://www.t-shirtforums.com/show-your-stuff-screen-printing-print-job-examples/t182598.html. The skull print 10%CR 10%SH. The other 2 prints where off the shelf inks and those prints are bullet proof. All the other prints are soft and have a nice hand.

 

[BroJames]

Yes, the soft hand does not thins much which is why I add reducers occasionally and in some prints, later wished I added some.

 

[RPM0869]

well kept on printing and still same results going to move down to a lower mesh thinking the 230 not doing it for me. you guys think 156 is good?

 

[DanEggiman]

Did you ever resolve this? I have had the same problem. I also print on next level 3600s and it seems to be worse on them compared to other 100% cottons. I had a few American apparel 100% cotton laying around and tried printing with them and they seemed to be better. However I believe the biggest issue is screen tension. I haven't personally used Newman rollers before, just aluminum static screens but all the research I have done (and it has been a lot) points me in the direction of tension. I would love to compair notes with you about the issue.

 

[WhiteLineScreen]

You can really do whichever stroke feels best for you. But if you pull and need to hit it again, be sure to pull again on the second stroke. Don't pull on one stroke and push on the second stroke or you could wind up with a smudged print or even a double image.