There are a variety of reasons why the ink didnt cure all the way through, starting with a too thick lay down of ink. Plastisol ink is a type of screen printing ink that was first used to screen t shirts in the 1970s. Weve been screen printing since 2005 and were the first uk printer to exclusively use solventfree water based inks for custom t shirts. The basic process for producing heatapplied plastisol transfers is very simple. Plastisol inks can be used to create designs on almost any type of fabric, including polyester and nylon. These inks are made for soft shirts and textiles and are often used in retail printing. Make sure youre taking the necessary steps to keep your prints vibrant and longlasting. Glitter flakes and clear base are available if you want to hand apply or mix your own your. They print the transfers, and then ship them to you for pressing. Printing tshirts can be an outlet for creativity and personal expression as well as a fun way to spend some. Plastisol ink cures when the entire ink film reaches about 320 degrees. Common issues with plastisol ink obtaining high opacity on dark colors. Plastisol transfers test for t shirt printing youtube. Otherwise, for a t shirt or two, online shops might overcharge you due to setup costs.
How to properly cure your garment when using plastisol ink. We are the marketleading supplier of high opacity plastisol inks around the world. Plastisol ink is oil based and sits on top of the fabric. Plastisol ink cracking heat press page 2 tshirt forums. Jan 14, 2017 this is a cheaper ink, is the industry standard and makes for thick prints. We never use plastisol inks and we never use harmful discharge printing. You just sent out a full order of highquality, tshirt to your customers. Water based and discharge screen printing inks are ecofriendly and leave an. Plastisol will start to become dry to the touch or gelled also called semicured between 180250. Plastisol will crack after just a short period of use everyone has felt the rubbery feel of the t shirt and then watched the print crack after only a few washes. Plastisol ink merchmakr diy screen printing supplies. Most plastisol inks must reach a temperature of 320f. A versatile, leadfree plastisol ink, union ultrasoft plastisol liberty series ink is formulated for direct printing and heattransfer manufacturing. Dtla print opened to the public in 2009 and has been providing high quality custom t shirts, screen printing, digital printing, and finishing services ever since.
Plastisol transfers are available for order online and in most t shirt printing shops. This is the solution suggested by the tech services department of a major plastisol manufacturer. The higher the opacity of the ink, the greater the hand. Screen printing plastisol and water based garment printing. The advantages of plastisol textile inks impressions. Eagle series plastisols will perform as well if not better than your current plastisol, 7 primary color kit of our most popular colors. Industry standard ink that is made with pvc and lays on top of the garment when printed. A break down usually results in a cracked, peeled or a flaked graphic on the shirt. Screen printed plastisol ink how to check print quality. You can use special highopacity plastisol inks for vibrant prints, but they can be expensive and difficult to print through fine mesh, giving your prints a heavy hand that can be uncomfortable. If plastisol ink isnt enough, remember we also do waterbased and discharge printing, as well as specialty plastisol inks. You need to think of the ink like a layer on top of the shirt. General information about screen printing plastisol inks. Alibaba manufacturer directory suppliers, manufacturers.
It could have been the temperature on the dryer being too high, or the time allowed to dry was too long. For us, sustainable garments and ecofriendly inks arent just an option. Plastisol ink also creates an ink film that can be felt with the hand. Printers face the challenge of having many different substrates in todays market place that calls for specific white inks to meet. Namely, plastisol inks cannot be used if the material isnt porous enough to absorb the ink, and screen printed plastisol inks cannot be used if the material cannot withstand heat treatment. The plastisol screenprinting inks manufactured today come. Plastisol ink is the most commonly used ink type in the screen printing industry. Although new technologies are popular in some applications such as highsolids acrylic hsa, silicones, discharge and new waterbased inks, plastisols still are the goto product for most of the imprinted sportswear market. The second stage is the gel stage which occurs somewhere between 180250f depending upon the type of plastisol. Screens used for printing with the plastisol ink should be cleaned to remove buildup. It is a phthalate free plastisol based printing base used to achieve an elastic, soft touching and white covering effect in textile printing. The tricky business of screen printing underbase getting vibrant plastisol prints on dark garments can be a challenge but you can overcome it. One stroke inks offers numerous formulations for every fabric as the needs of screen printers is constantly changing.
Then what happens is the dye of the shirt seeps into the plastisol so when you go to wash it you will find the print is less than perfect. I believe sun exposure and washes take their toll on the material. Union ultrasoft plastisol liberty series ink blick art. As far as i know about, shirts printing inks usually are water based or plastisol ink, chemicals in na. Adding too much pigment can upset the chemistry and render the newlymade black ink impossible to cure. Why are my shirts are cracking, peeling, or flaking after wash test. Plastisol 2 was completely updated march 18, 2019 with 20 all new.
A blade or squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh apertures with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the substrate momentarily along a line of contact. Special effect crack ink sample screen printing and t shirt printing. Without proper cure you will see your ink crack and flake away. I checked some shirts i printed white ink on light gray, did the stretch test with no cracking. How to keep plastisol inks from washing out of garments.
Nov 06, 2011 waterbased inks are systems composed of two elements. The ink contains no bleaching agents and its performance. Screen printing with plastisol ink is the most common method of t shirt printing for number of reasons. Plastisol printers troubleshooting guide tech showcase, 2007 plastisolinksshowcase our industrys finest formulators of plastisol inks present some of their latest products on the following pages, interspersed with a wealth of plastisolprinting troubleshooting advice. Your current method is only drying the top layer of the ink so it feels dry to the touch, but the bottom of your ink layer the part that actually touches your shirt is not fully bonding to the shirt material. Screen printing is a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. Is white ink more susceptible to fading and cracking than. Dec 02, 2014 plastisol ink is cracking when i wash my garments. The plastisol was not cured properly if the ink is cracking. Plastisol ink have you ever noticed you your old t shirts have that random cracking over the design.
It requires less pressure than most other whites to print through the screen. Plastisol 2 textures have subtle edges, giving designers precise control of where to place the textures onto graphics. Plastisol inks are the most widely used ink in the screen printing industry. Call us today and well help you select the best choice for your application.
You can give them your design ideas and a customized message, but this works best for large orders. When you look at vintage clothing, its the ink that cracks and flakes over time as the t shirt gets washed, stretched out, and worn to too many def leppard concerts. Also, because of their higher build, older plastisols are more likely to chip or crack, and. Bold ink is the best option when you want incredibly vibrant colors that seem to jump off the shirt. Our plastisol white inks provides the most essential tool for screen printers of any size.
The paper is passing through a dryer where the ink heated until it. Plastisol inks washing out of garments could be a screen printers worst nightmare. A followup to the original plastisol collection, these cracked ink plastisol 2 textures will make your t shirt designs look vintage. Screen printed plastisol ink how to check print quality medium. Plastisol and solvent based inks why they are no longer used for fabrics. For those wondering, you can check out my list of plastisol heat transfer companys that i use, who i use for single colors, multi colors, who has.
Five mistakes new screen printers make 2 regular guys. Very good ink i used on a shirt for a screen print. We offer aline of plastisol glitter inks that are ready to print, remember to use a screen with a 40ct mesh. By printing and underbase and top white crack ink multiple times, we can give you a professional retail look to your promotional shirts. The quality and type of t shirt used in printing plays a big role in dye migration. Feb 15, 2016 sablon dengan teknik raster wet on wet menggunakan tinta plastisol t120 manual screen printing, usahakan untuk menggunakan t120 untuk teknik raster ini kera. Most plastisol will cure when they reach a temperature of 320330 degrees and sustain that temperature for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Opacity is directly related to the type of ink, the thickness of the imprint, the type of textile fabric and dryer curing method. Lookfeel identical to screen printing ideal for higher quantities, where a repetition of one design. Rutland is the marketleading supplier of plastisol inks around the world known for its quality and innovative products. We do not have any issues printing black on light clothes, not a single one of. What causes my plastisol ink to wash out when laundered. The color of the shirt migrates to the plastisol transfer.
I have an older shirt that has cracking on the graphic, is there a solution to restore this problem. Home screen printing may not be as high quality as screen printing done by a professional company or t shirt maker. They are easy to print, do not dry in the screen, can be very opaque on dark garments, and will adhere to most textiles. The simulated process is best suited for dark colored shirts. Bad prints, cracking, shirts crack, wash test wash tests. The smooth creamy consistency leaves a uniform print for underbasing and can be opaque on black without a white base with screens as fine as 160. This is not the type of ink that you wont be able to feel. Plastisol and solvent based inks why they are no longer.
Custom colors can be easily mixed to any pantone color. Curing your prints is one of the last steps of the screen printing process, but it is also one of the most important steps. Plastisol ink cracking heat press this is again a great point, but. I had ordered another type from another manufacturer and it was very thin and i wasnt impressed. Direct print plastisol ink xolb xtra opaque low bleed inks are high opacity multipurpose inks that are designed to produce extremely opaque prints yet are very easy to print on a manual press. Plastisol inks arent known for their soft hand feel, but you dont have to resign yourself to a plastic hand feel when you print with plastisol. While undercured ink will look splotchy or cracked, fibrillation will cause.
Plastisol screen printed transfers these are transfers that are screen printed by an outside transfer company or by yourself with the use of screen printing equipment durability very good, often outlasts the life of the garment. After years of working solely with large brand names, dtla print saw a need for quality screen printing, amazing service, and reliable craftsmanship. Make sure you wash a load of clothes rather than individual items. The photoshop file contains 20 real cracked ink texture presets, 10 additional background textures, 15 cracked plastisol brush presets and 5 edge distress actions. Plastisol ink cracking heat press this is again a great point, but to be fair based on the context of the conversation, i assumed that by waterbased inks, we were talking about the kind available at the retail level.
I did add a puffy additive on some and it did just the way i wanted. Unlike fabric dyes, plastisol ink does not color or dye the fibers, but rather wraps around around the fiber, creating a mechanical bond. The ink film must reach the temperature recommended by the ink manufacturer in order to achieve a total cure. The cause of this problem is most likely due to the fact that the ink is not cured properly. The first stage is the wet stage which is the state of a plastisol ink in the container or just after it has been printed on the garment prior to putting it through the dryer. Screen printing plastisol ink is easy to print with, does not dry in the screen, is opaque on dark garments, and features great adhesion to most tshirts, athletic jerseys, hoodies, heat transfers, and most textiles in general. Screen printing how to make sure ink will not come off in the wash. What causes screenprinted shirts to crack, fade, and deteriorate. I touch on pricing, buying wholesale clothing and other info like this here. This creates a stronger bond between the material and is what prevents the design from cracking or peeling away from the shirt. Must be pritned off contact as ink sits on top of garment.
Durability of different shirtmaking methods concept. The best way to check this without actually washing the shirt, is the stretch. A new formulation helps eliminate press stoppages due to buildup on the screen backs. Screen printing ink and proper curing abante marketing.
A newbie here too, i use jacquared professional screen printing inks. Gt glitter inks welcome to florida flexible screen. Plastisol is a general term used to describe the most common form of solvent based chemical ink, composed primarily of pvc polyvinylchloride resin and plasticizer. For that reason, plastisol prints cannot be ironed. Plastisol ink cracking heat press the heat press will not cure the ink. They are composed primarily of two ingredients, pvc resin a white powder and plasticizer a thick, clear liquid. Plastisol inks are widely used in garment printing.
This ink offers good coverage on lightcolored and mediumcolored garments. Our plastisol white inks gives the screen printers of any size the widest range of options to print on any substrate. Due to its formulation, plastisol ink doesnt dry up as fast as other inks and gives you the advantage of not working in super speed mode, the four major components that go into the. Plastisol transfers test for t shirt printing in this video we look at some plastisol transfers that are screen printed and weigh up the pros and cons of using them. Plastisol inks will stretch without cracking or exposing the shirt fabric underneath when properly cured.
Plastisol ink designs have to be cured at a high temperature because the ink itself doesnt dry. He is a 35year veteran of the textile screenprinting and apparel manufacturing industries. For those wondering, you can check out my list of plastisol heat transfer companys that i use, who i use for single colors, multi colors, who has the biggest gang sheets, who has the best quality. Why does the plastisol ink print crack on the garment after the first wash. Screens used for printing with the plastisol ink should be. How to screen print with plastisol ink with pictures wikihow. Without proper cure you will see your ink crack and flake away during wash and wear. Plastisol ink is a type of screen printing ink that was first used to screen tshirts in the 1970s. Sep 28, 2012 belt dryer cured ink flash curing plastisol ink cure heat set plasticizer washout cracking flaking 330 degrees fahrenheit infrared thermometer test. It consists of just 1 photoshop file but is packed full of plastisol cracked ink textures.
Rick davis is the southeastern regional sales manager for triangle ink co. I have some shirts with white ink that are properly cured but after 3 years of frequent wearing, i do see some cracks. Plastisol ink can be specially formulated for each of these fabrics as one ink is rarely the best option for all fabrics. Plastisol ink is a pvcbased industrial coating for screen printing cotton, polyester, nylon, lycra, and spandex. How to use plastisol heat transfers to print tshirts t. Plastisol inks do not dye the fibre creats a film above the garment easily felt by the hand. How to keep screen printing from fading or cracking. Plastisol inks can be printed on many items that can withstand the heat required to cure the ink and is porous enough to permit good ink adhesion.
Doesnt all plastisol crack when stretched unless you add one of those. For this article, we are primarily talking about firebird white ink on dark shirts. That was the reason i looked and found this and this plastisol it was great. Plastisol 2 vintage tshirt cracked ink textures ray. These inks may not be as soft as waterbased inks but they are very light on the hand and very stretchable for printing 100% cotton fabrics. Union ink supplies the best textile printing plastisols in the market, period. If cured correctly as advised, the drywet rubbing and washing fastness are high. Screenprinting submitted 4 years ago by cblustig if i have a bunch of rags with wet plastisol ink on them, can i throw them in the washer and dryer to clean them or is this going to get ink all over my washer and dryer and ruin the next batch of clothes i put in there.
It is a thick print, especially when printing light ink on dark fabrics. Plastisol ink is made from pvc resin and plasticizer. How to prevent buttons on my shirts from getting destroyed. Custom tshirts, hats, hoodies, polos, banners and much. Plastisol transfers test for t shirt printing in this video we look at some plastisol transfers that are screen printed and weigh up the pros and cons of. If youre printing with bright or neon colours on darker fabrics, its worth remembering that waterbased inks can be less opaque than plastisol inks. Surplus plastisol can be handed to a hazardous waste disposal service. The most popular ink used in the garment printing industry is plastisol ink. Troubleshooting common issues with plastisol screen. Keeping plastisol inks from washing out of garments.
The soft plastisol ink lays directly on the fabric, covering the shirt with a layer of the graphic. Although some have converted partially or completely to nonconventional ink systems, plastisol remains the primary ink of choice among todays textile screen printers. The paper is passing through a dryer where the ink heated until it has sets just enough to be dry to the touch. Plastisolprinters troubleshooting guide november 30, 2009 a number of the ink manufacturers participating in this years showcase also submitted troubleshooting information detailing how to better get along with their products, and plastisol ink in general. A wide variety of plastisol ink printer options are available to you, such as sublimation transfer. Plastisol inks are comprised of particles of pvc plastic dispersed in a. I dress myself sustainable tshirt printing with organic. Screen printing plastisol ink is easy to print with, does not dry in the screen, is opaque on dark garments, and features great adhesion to most t shirts, athletic jerseys, hoodies, heat transfers, and most textiles in general. Some whites that have a fast cure designation will cure from 275300 degrees and this will have to be sustained at 45 seconds to 1 minute.
The entire ink film, including where the ink is bonded to the fabric. More than likely the plastisol has not been properly cured. While many schools and clubs resort to printing shops for tshirts, you dont have to. If you prefer plastisol ink over waterbased inks but you require a soft feel on the shirt, aquasilk series is the best ink for you. Getting a good cure on your shirt is very important for the longevity of your print. Sep 27, 20 why does the plastisol ink print crack on the garment after the first wash.
I have never seen a shirt that would cause the ink to crack all by itself. It is important that the ink film itself reaches that temperature. Its a bit heavier and thicker in feel than supersoft, and wont be quite as pliable. This is a discussion about plastisol ink cracking heat press that was posted in the plastisol ink screen printing section of the forums. How to make sure screen printing tshirt inks will not fade or wash off by putting clothes into the laundry. Mens dress shirts sent to a dry cleaners are generally waterwashed with soap and starch depending on the starch level you request, then machine pressed on a 3part shirt machine collar and cuffs, sleeves and then body. Use a softhand additive, design an image that makes use of negative space and employ a few tricks to lay down a thinner layer of ink. I wish all my shirts were printed like that as no cracks or flakes with dtg. This allows the molecules to properly fuse to each other as well as to the fabric. Perhaps the most notable is the clothing industry, where silkscreen printing is considered a primary method in creating unique tshirt prints. Plastisol inks have been a mainstay of the textile screenprinting industry for the past 40plus years. They also dont dry up in your screen like waterbased inks eliminating the need to work super fast without stopping.
In 1959, the invention of plastisol provided an ink more durable and stretchable than waterbased ink, allowing much more variety in t shirt designs. Plastisol ink screen printing how well does plastisol hold up on a shirt. White water based inks in general are more prone to cracking, but they. The temperature at which the ink becomes fully cured is called the fusion temperature.
Polyester starts to release its dye around 280f, but most plastisol inks dont start curing until 320f. Plastisol ink plastisol ink provides a less soft hand than water based inks, but are more vivid since they sit on top of the fabric rather than sinking in to the fabric. Besides, apparels like shirts are consumables for nearly 12 years like cell phone. It works on absolutely any shirt fabric, meaning your results will be consistent, right down the. Plastisol ink will not dry, or cure, at normal temperatures. Very few companies continue to use waterbased inks on their shirts. Consider using an underbase, or try permaset supercover inks with the right preparation, water based inks can produce amazing vivid colour.
My shirts are cracking, peeling, or flaking after wash test. Since plastisol is a thermoplastic, it will remelt if it comes in contact with anything hot enough. How to properly cure your screen printing ink youtube. Ink needs to be cured properly so it sets into the garment. Why does the plastisol ink crack on my washed garment. Plastiso inks plastisol screen printing ink plastisol ink. I wash my clothes on warm water, and put them in the dryer on high temp. The ink lays on top of the fabric allowing the colors to be bold and vibrant through many washes. Screen printing tips dye migration and how to prevent it. Mar 29, 2019 how to screen print with plastisol ink. Plastisol ink textures to create a cracked vintage print effect. When you look at vintage clothing, its the ink that cracks and flakes over time as the tshirt gets washed, stretched out, and worn to too many def leppard concerts. If you have ever screen printed a t shirt as a craft project, you know how vulnerable your t shirt can be to fading and cracking.