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screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: Denis Kolar on April 16, 2015, 02:38:34 PM
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Does someone have any experience with printing glow in the dark inks?
I am about to meet with a customer that will provide me with a "Glow in the dark additive" that is added to the clear base ink.
Did someone do anything like that? Any pointers?
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I would add approx. 10 % of the powder by weight normally 1 lb/gallon of clear. They work much better if you print a smooth white underbase down first with the glow ink on top if going on a dark shirt, it glows much brighter that way. Most of that powder is pretty grainy, would not go finer than a 156 or so mesh. The thicker you print it the brighter the glow as well.
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stuff we have goes in a lot more than 10%. . .
Get the manufacturer's info and find out exactly.
As Rocky said, use an underbase and cake it on for stronger glow.
pierre
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Use and under base is excellent advice; the white under the transparent glow ink draws light and helps the ink recharge. Most RFU glows come in a clear base and have a greenish tint. If you are going to have to mix this into another color, be careful not to use a really opaque ink because the glow agent will have a hard time charging (Stick to fluorescent inks, not neons) if they want a different color. It also helps to over print the image with glow as the last screen.
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Here is an interesting web site for anyone wanting to mix their own glows. www.solarcolordust.com (http://www.solarcolordust.com) These are a little pricey, but they are the new technology Ultra-long glow pigments that glow far longer and require much less pigment than the older technology glow pigments. They also have many other types of special effect goodies. Another thing, any unused portion of these pigments should be sealed tightly,,, moisture in the air will make them clump and it is nearly impossible to get them out!
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we use allure glow, and it works awesome, also everyone there is really helpful and knowledgeable.