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screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: rmonks on December 09, 2014, 10:53:43 AM

Title: Poly Ink
Post by: rmonks on December 09, 2014, 10:53:43 AM
I have a gallon of white poly ink I don't recall the brand, BUT this stuff is so stiff and thick that I don't use it. Is there something that can be safely done to make it usable.
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: Frog on December 09, 2014, 11:12:15 AM
I'd also be interested if there is any such thing as a poly-safe reducer or soft base, but in the meantime, could gentle warming help?
This isn't the best time of the year for white ink in general.
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: sqslabs on December 09, 2014, 02:18:53 PM
I have a gallon of white poly ink I don't recall the brand, BUT this stuff is so stiff and thick that I don't use it. Is there something that can be safely done to make it usable.

There are additives for white inks to make them a bit more manageable (I think they're mainly plasticizers), but can come with the side effect of less opacity, defeating the purpose of the poly ink before it even hits the shirt.  That said, if you're not using the ink as-is, it can't hurt to add a bit of reducer to it and see what comes out of it through testing. 

The stuff we have here is clear and added in very small increments to the ink.  Too much, and the curing properties will change altogether.  Ours is made by WM Plastics.
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: Printficient on December 09, 2014, 02:27:42 PM
Mix in some Xenon Reg. White
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: SteveS on December 09, 2014, 03:04:21 PM
10025VB QEC Viscosity Buster:
Additions of 1-3% by weight will de-tack and improve the flow properties of finished ink. Do not use more then 3% by weight. This
product is very efficient in small amounts. Will not affect Bleed Resistance or opacity when used as directed.

This is for the Wilflex Poly White product. It works wonders. It is not like a regular plastisol curable reducer. It is a clear liquid and comes in a quart sized tin can.
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: Frog on December 09, 2014, 03:12:06 PM
The reduction of opacity was not my concern, but rather the loss of bleed resistance.
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: rmonks on December 10, 2014, 06:38:11 PM
Mix in some Xenon Reg. White
I did and byegolly it worked.
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: Printficient on December 10, 2014, 06:42:20 PM
Mix in some Xenon Reg. White
I did and byegolly it worked.
Of course it did.  The words coming out of my mouth are by definition the truth. :o :o
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: DannyGruninger on December 10, 2014, 06:47:25 PM
The reduction of opacity was not my concern, but rather the loss of bleed resistance.


I've got a product here from International Coatings that says - Low Bleed Curable reducer..... I'll do some testing on some low bleed garments once I get some free time and let you know if the reducer bleeds or not. That should answer that ?
Title: Re: Poly Ink
Post by: Frog on December 10, 2014, 08:21:52 PM
I believe that Sonny told me that Xenon's is also low bleed, but I never put it to the test.