Author Topic: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks  (Read 1247 times)

Offline Maxie

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1312
Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« on: March 22, 2018, 12:46:46 PM »
We have a problem with a container of sweatshirts we got from China, we ordered material with a high cotton content and what we received has different material in the different sizes.  Some have a lot of cotton and some mostly synthetic, most probably polyester.
We printed black sweatshirts with a under base and red and yellow on top, all the sizes looked good except for one where the synthetic content is obviously much higher.   Colors looked totally washed out.
A lot of what we print is one color so I am thinking of using Silicone inks to solve this problem.
I have no experience with silicone.
Id like to know if silicone will look the same on the different materials?
They recommend curing silicone at a lower temperature than regular plastisol, what will happen if it's cured at a higher temperature, the same as plastisol?
Is it expensive to use?     You have to throw away left over ink after printing.
Which suppliers carry Union silicone?
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il


Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6355
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2018, 01:32:45 PM »
silicone will not work on blends. It really is for 100% poly only. It has no mat down properties. . .

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7785
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2018, 01:49:59 PM »
I would go either 357 or ELT white from Onestroke.  It should print across the spectrum of fabrics well.  We love it for stuff like this.  I have customers that send us jobs with cotton, fleece and 100% poly shirts and we use 357 for them and it's great.

Offline jupmode

  • Verified/Junior
  • **
  • Posts: 37
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2018, 02:14:12 PM »
The point I believe Pierre is making is that it's tough to get a smooth print with silicone on blended fabrics. That is true, but so long as you do, or your customer doesn't mind a rough print, silicone is fine on blends.

Silicone ink does adhere to blends. As long as it is cured, it won't wash out. It's great a great bleed blocker on on blended fabrics and patterned fabrics. It's also stretchy and works well for spandex materials.


Offline Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13944
  • Docendo discimus
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2018, 02:18:48 PM »
If only a manageable few, they could also be hit with a heat press to smooth 'em out. Assuming that Maxie is not running a smoothing screen and roller.
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline Maxie

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1312
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2018, 01:55:34 AM »
For our high end printing we use a roller and get a really nice smooth print.
Over the summer we print about 15000 shirts for youth groups (lots of orders of about 50) that are one color, no under base, double stroke on a 110 screen and the results are fine for that market.
A lot of the orders are for T shirts and hooded sweatshirts.
Most of the sweatshirts print well but often we get 100% polyester sweatshirts that don't hold the plastisol well and the print looks terrible.
I thought of using silicone as a solution, we cannot get all the range of whites you have in the USA.
I use mainly Rutland and Union, at the moment we have Market white and Silky white and a low bleed white.    We also use M3 so have the M3 whites.
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7785
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2018, 09:09:42 AM »
I also just tried an ink from Xenon called XenWhite HO.  High opacity might be a bit of a stretch.  But it has awesome mat down.  Im not 100% sure how it would do on 100% poly, but It may work.  I would contact them and find out.

Offline Underbase37

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 790
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2018, 09:48:04 AM »
Is unions gery blocker not an option for you?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk


Offline Maxie

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1312
Re: Problem printing fleece _ Silicone inks
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2018, 11:41:24 AM »
The Grey blocker could work but then I need to put down an under base, at the moment I double stroke on one screen.
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il