Question: My glitter, shimmer, and metallic prints aren't very wash resistant. I cure them just the same as I cure my regular plastisol prints which wash very well. What's wrong?
Answer: You're not fully curing the ink. Metallic, shimmer, and
glitter inks have to be heated longer to cure for two reasons:
Check to see if the entire ink film has reached the cure temperature (300º F) by printing a test print on a T-shirt, then placing a temperature testing strip inside the T-shirt, directly under the printed image. Run the T-shirt through the dryer. The temperature strip should indicate that it has reached the temperature necessary to cure the ink film. If not, slow the belt speed down and repeat the test until it does. These inks are much easier to cure if you have a a large dryer (8 feet or more of heated length) with forced hot air. For shorter dryers, you may have to run the shirt through more than once.
Question:
I'm printing your PAGL-M800 Black Shimmer and I can't make it look as dark as the sample you have on the color card. How can I get a nice black shimmer?Answer: To make Black Shimmer look darker, print it through a 110 mesh. If you print it through a coarser mesh you puts down too much shimmer which hides the black plastisol.
Question:
I'm printing a metallic ink and no matter how much reducer I add to the ink, it keeps clogging the screen. How do I get it through the screen?Answer: Metallic inks are colored with metallic powders that have a much larger particle size than the pigments used in other inks. If you're using a metallic ink, adding reducer it will not help because lowering the viscosity of the ink does not decrease the size of the metallic powder particles, and it's the metallic powder that is clogging the screen. Try a coarser mesh, 86 thread/inch or even lower.
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Question:
How much Nylobond should I add to plastisol ink to make it adhere to nylon jackets?Answer: The general rule for using Nylobond is 10-15% by weight.
For more detailed proportions, use the following table:
On ordinary nylon jackets On heavily waterproofed jackets
You can also mix by volume. In standard-opacity plastisols add 1 part Nylobond to 5 parts plastisol. In high-opacity plastisols add 1 part Nylobond to 4 parts plastisol.
When mixing less than one quart use the half-ounce graduation marks on the side of the four ounce dispenser bottle to measure the Nylobond.
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Question:
What is a soft-hand print and how do I get it on a T-shirt?Answer: The feel of a plastisol print is called the hand. It's controlled by the type of ink and how thick an ink layer you print. To achieve soft-hand prints you have to start with a soft-hand ink. The trade-off is in opacity. Soft-hand prints are not very opaque. For an extra-soft hand print on white garments, use Union Ink's SuperSoft (PLUM) series printed through a 230 or higher mesh. If you need more opacity, try our UltraSoft (PLUS) inks through a 160-180 mesh. You can add 10-20% PLUS-9090 extender base but remember that higher mesh counts and adding extender base lower opacity. Properly printed, these inks will allow you to achieve an extremely soft-hand print. In fact, after a couple of washings, the print will be nearly indistinguishable from a design created with dye or a water-base inks.
If you are printing on dark garments and need good opacity, then you can't have a really soft-hand print. There your best option will be our MIXO Inks through a 60-110 mesh. It won't be really soft hand, but it won't be a slab of rubber either.
Water-based inks will provide an extremely soft-hand print every time and the opacity of some of the newer inks is very good. Some water-based inks feel stiff until they've been washed. This is not a problem if you have explained it to the customer first. Union Ink's Aerotex (ATEX) ink is excellent for this purpose.
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Question: How can I get a print on CoolMax that won't make the wearer feel hot and sweaty?
Answer: CoolMax is a very light weight fabric often used in cycling and running wear. CoolMax fibers are designed to wick perspiration away from the body and provide a cooling effect through the rapid evaporation of moisture. Any plastisol print would at least partially block this evaporation process and is therefore not the best choice.
For white or light-colored garments (CoolMax is generally white) Union Ink's Unisoft Sub-Dye Sublimation Transfer Dyes will do the job. Use them to print sublimation transfers that you then apply to the CoolMax garment. Because the melting point of CoolMax is 493º F (256º C) the heat required for applying sublimation transfers should not damage the fabric. For direct printing, Union Ink's Aerotex (ATEX) or Unidye (UNDY) water-base inks are recommended.
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Question: What is Gore-Tex, and do you have an ink that will stick to it?
Answer: Gore-Tex is a durable, water-proof fabric that provides protection from the elements, but remains "breathable" allowing perspiration to escape. Gore-Tex garments are generally used in the manufacture of cold weather gear. The biggest concern when printing on Gore-Tex is that the ink may not stick to the fabric. The best printing method will depend on the degree of water-proofing and which carrier fabric (cotton, polyester, etc.) the Gore-Tex has been laminated to. Generally Union Ink's Athletic Gloss (PATH) or Ultrasoft (PLUS) with 15% Nylobond by weight will produce the best results. Remember, always test before doing a production run.
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Question: I have a customer who wants me to print on some Lycra garments. They're very stretchy. What ink should I use?
Answer: This type of material is often used in swim suits, running singlets, and cycling shorts. It's very stretchy and conforms to the body during vigorous athletic activitie. You should use Union Ink's Athletic Gloss (PATH) which provides a durable, elastic ink film when properly cured. Follow the instructions on the PATH Technical Data Sheet. For white Lycra, Unisoft Sub-Dye Sublimation Transfer Dyes can be used to make sublimation transfers which are then applied to the fabric.
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Question: Do you have any ink that will stick to neoprene wet suits?
Answer: Most neoprene wet suits have a lycra-blended fabric laminated to at least one side of the neoprene. You can print on that surface. For the best results, use Union Ink's Gloss Athletic Gloss (PATH) following the instructions in the PATH Technical Data Sheet. If you have to print directly on unlaminated neoprene, send us a sample and our lab will test the material to determine the best ink and printing methods.
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Question: What's the best ink for printing on nylon mesh football jerseys?
Answer: Nylon mesh fabrics are often used in sports uniforms that are subject to rough treatment during use. For this fabric, we recommend a properly applied and cured heavy deposit of Union Ink's Athletic Gloss (PATH). Nylobond is not necessary for nylon mesh because the coarse knit of the material provides an excellent surface for the ink to grab on to. Follow the specifications in the PATH Technical Data Sheet for best results.
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Question: I have an order for printing on Supplex jackets. What ink should I use?
Answer: Supplex is a durable, wind-resistant, water-repellent nylon fabric. It has a very supple hand and is used primarily in jackets and running shorts. We recommend our Athletic Gloss (PATH) with 10-15% Nylobond. Follow the instructions in the PATH and Nylobond Technical Data Sheets for best results. Caution: The melting point of Supplex is 375º F (190º C) so be careful when curing the ink not to approach those temperatures.
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