[JnR]

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience using DTG inks past their shelf life? We have some inks that are about 6 mos to a year past their shelf life and were wondering if they could be used or mixed with newer inks. Also the same questions regarding pretreatments (FastBRIGHT and FAstINK). Thanks.

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Your question is similar as months old meat and fresh meat mixed and make hamburger. I won't eat. will you?
Why the hell you keep ink that long? Knowing there is life.
If you try it let us know.
Cheers! Beers are on me always.

 

[zoom_monster]

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience using DTG inks past their shelf life? We have some inks that are about 6 mos to a year past their shelf life and were wondering if they could be used or mixed with newer inks. Also the same questions regarding pretreatments (FastBRIGHT and FAstINK). Thanks.

J,
There is probably a margin built in, but if the ink was just "sitting" and not agitated on a regular basis... then it is risky. You can shake and mix up, and you may be OK (No guarantee). Bad ink will cause clogs and possibly ruin an expensive printhead. I would say mixing would be bad because you could potentially ruin the new ink as well.

I would buy ink and committ to use by certain date. If you store for any amount of time, you need to mix at least on a weekly basis to prevent settling and a breakdown of ink components. Keep a log and mark the ink to make sure that every one knows to use oldest first. When you get a shipment, document the expiration date and mark bottles and Carts with a kill date.

 

[equipmentzone]

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience using DTG inks past their shelf life? We have some inks that are about 6 mos to a year past their shelf life and were wondering if they could be used or mixed with newer inks. Also the same questions regarding pretreatments (FastBRIGHT and FAstINK). Thanks.

The recommended shelf life for the color inks is one year and six months for white ink and pretreatments. We recommend to our customers not to stock up heavily on inks. Inks are readily available for purchase so there's no need to keep a huge stock on your shelf.

I would recommend not using your expired ink. There is a large unknown to what can happen to your dampers/cartridges, printhead, or capping assembly if you do use expired ink. The potential cost, in both replacement parts and, more important, your time spent replacing them is not really worth any possible savings in ink cost.

Harry
Equipment Zone

_

 

[JohnL]

Do Not Use the white ink, especially if they have not been properly maintained (agitated).

It will clog your print head and cause hours of trouble trying to unclog it.

 

[Don-ColDesi]

It is important to remember that the shelf life of inks is based on the date of manufacture of the inks, not the date that you purchased the ink. You can verify with your vendor of inks as to the manufacture date - it is usually embedded in the batch number somewhere.

 

[JnR]

Thanks for the replies - looks like the risks are way too high just to save a few bucks. I'll keep away from the "old meat" .

I seem to remember reading somewhere here that old cmyk inks could be filtered using a coffee filter before using?

What could the potential effects be in regards to old pretreatment solutions?

 

[Don-ColDesi]

A coffee filter will not filter to the level that the inks are filtered to during manufacturing.

Secondarily, the issue with out of date inks has more to do with declining effectiveness of the binders in the ink than settling (at least in the CMYK set). The binders are what gives the ink its washfastness.

 

[equipmentzone]

Thanks for the replies - looks like the risks are way too high just to save a few bucks. I'll keep away from the "old meat" .

I seem to remember reading somewhere here that old cmyk inks could be filtered using a coffee filter before using?

What could the potential effects be in regards to old pretreatment solutions?

Old ink is old ink. Filtering it will not change the risks in using it.

With old pretreatment you run the risks of the prints not printing well and the potential of the inks washing out when the garments are washed.

Harry
Equipment Zone

_

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

LOL,
Coffee filter? at least it is not dawny paper towel. At the beginning of Dtg ink 450/inch mesh was used by few resellers.
So funny, we need laugh in forum here and there. Sometime it is too seriouse. I like your humor and we can use it all day.
Thank you for you use word "old meat"
Let's go to Morton and eat juicy Fresh medium rare! Ummmm
Cheers! Beers are on me always.

 

[beachhut]

good info thx

 

[JnR]

Thanks for all of the info. Good to know. Wonder why there aren't expiration dates on the bottles of
inks, etc.?

Peter - you know that the steaks are "aged", right?

 

[Don-ColDesi]

Wonder why there aren't expiration dates on the bottles of
inks, etc.?

The inks are dated internally to guarantee that they are as fresh as possible, it really has not been a concern that inks would sit in the field for over a year - especially in smaller bottles.

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Peter - you know that the steaks are "aged", right?

You are right! Then let's Go Red Lobster! LMAO
You cool!
Cheers! Beers are on me always!

 

[zoom_monster]

It is important to remember that the shelf life of inks is based on the date of manufacture of the inks, not the date that you purchased the ink. You can verify with your vendor of inks as to the manufacture date - it is usually embedded in the batch number somewhere.

So is the 6/12 month shelf life from manufacture date or from the day you sell it?

 

[Don-ColDesi]

There is no actual stated shelf life on inks from the manufacturer. They will tell you that the inks should be good for a specific amount of time - if treated properly. With white ink this means fairly regular rolling to eliminate settling as well as storing in a climate controlled environment.

It is important that both the vendor and the enduser only purchase a store the amount of ink they will use in a month or two, three at the outside most. If you find that you are not purchasing ink more frequently than this you should consider buying smaller bottles.