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screen printing => Waterbase and Discharge => Topic started by: humblymadebrand on July 08, 2017, 12:13:12 PM
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Hey guys new to the forum and I need some help. I've been printing for a few years and have a good amount of experience, but as you all know we learn something new everyday and I have a lot to learn.
Anyhow I have a client asking about printing white ink on white tees using waterbase. I can't say I've tested this, but everything in my gut tells me this will not show up at all. I've done black on black with plastisol and it works, but it's plastisol. I've since switched to all waterbase inks.
Is there a way to print white waterbase ink on white tees to give it a just enough contrast to show up? They want them subtile, but not invisible:)
My only thought is to either get slightly off white tees, or tint the white ink just a bit for contrast. Any other thoughts?
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I would have initially said that tinting the ink is really the only thing in your control. Then I remembered that we are finding some T's "whiter" than others as well.
So, whatever you do, you need to:
1. get an idea from your custy how subtle they want it
2. pick a particular shirt and mix the ink accordingly. (a pinch of blue will make it appear brighter if that's the direction of difference you decide upon)
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Frog:
Thanks for the tip about the blue, that would have escaped me. Probably would have just added a touch of black but then I would have gotten a light grey. Blue makes so much more since. Thank you friend.
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I think that one obvious thing here is to experiment a bit.
Then if possible, and you come up with a few choices, have the custy make the ultimate decision.
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That's my plan for sure, I'm ordering a few tees to test out a few things. I just wanted to get any thoughts out there before I get to printing. Thanks for the tips man:)
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Yeah, try it stock, you might be surprised. I have decent vision but can easily tell when there's a white test print on a white shirt, even from across the room. Of course, seeing a design and it being recognizable are two different things as well.
As Frog says, the custy's opinion is the one that matters, although some take common sense advice more appreciatively than others... :)
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As everyone has said its really up to the client and also the nature of the design. Here is a picture of a band tee we did that if just black on white without the white screen it would not look as good.
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brandon:
thanks for posting, I think with the black also printed it helps that white stand out more too. Thanks for posting.
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ScreenFoo:
Yeah I'm just gonna experiment with some different blanks and send samples to the client. I would post the design if I had it, but I know it will be a simple text based graphic across the chest.
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Haven't done WB, but white plastisol on white tees is pretty easy to see. One thing I usually do for tone-on-[same]-tone is put down the ink a little thicker than usual, to make sure there's a strong coat with a sheen different from the fabric. (Again, that's plastisol experience, so I don't know how far it translates.) It can still be tricky, though- we just did black on smoke shirts (ie, almost black). First used a matte black that was so hard to see straight on that it was hard to believe. Had to switch inks to get a richer black with more shine, and that worked. So, yeah- experiment. ;)
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Prince Art:
Thanks for the comment. I would feel more confident with plastisol inks, being how much thicker and how it sits on top of the shirt. With the WB I'm not sure what I'll get. Ordered up some samples per everyone's suggestion to do some experimenting. Thanks all!
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You could also add some discharge agent to the white. This will change the tint.
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Random thought - again, we don't do WB here - but is it an option to mix some amount of pearlescent additive into the ink, to bump of the shine on the ink, so you get more contrast between print & fabric? Is that a thing? Could it work?
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Prince Art:
We do have some additives like that and I may experiment with them to see. I believe it would work, I just don't want to make it to sparkly depending on the additive. Great thought, it is defiantly a thing for WB as well.
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Make sure its pearl flake additive for WB!
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tonypep:
I believe we have some of that, I'll get that a test. Thanks man.
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Hey guys I just tested out a bunch of options and I thought I would share my experience.
NOTE: I would upload images, but the form won't allow me.
So I tested different shirts, some pure white, off white, and heather options. Below are the 4 options that I tested, and my thoughts on the results.
1. Pure bucket white - Surprisingly it lays down pretty well since bucket white is pretty thick. This worked way better than I thought being water base. Showed up great on a pure white tee, no problem.
2. Pearl flake with a touch of black - looked great but turned out just a little to grey. Depending on the look and how you mix, it's a great option that gives you just enough contrast. Pearl flake is always a great look, the shine gives it a nice contrast.
3. White with a drop of blue - Turned out a bit to blue on me, but if mixed right would be a great option.
4. White with a drop of yellow - This was my top pick to achieve the look I wanted. Much like the blue, you only need the smallest amount of yellow in order to not tint the ink to much. It was a bit more forgiving than mixing the blue however. it gave the white on white the right contrast and in my opinion the best results for me.
Thanks for everyone's tips:)
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Hey guys I just tested out a bunch of options and I thought I would share my experience.
NOTE: I would upload images, but the form won't allow me.
So I tested different shirts, some pure white, off white, and heather options. Below are the 4 options that I tested, and my thoughts on the results
1. Pure bucket white - Surprisingly it lays down pretty well since bucket white is pretty thick. This worked way better than I thought being water base. Showed up great on a pure white tee, no problem.
2. Pearl flake with a touch of black - looked great but turned out just a little to grey. Depending on the look and how you mix, it's a great option that gives you just enough contrast. Pearl flake is always a great look, the shine gives it a nice contrast.
3. White with a drop of blue - Turned out a bit to blue on me, but if mixed right would be a great option.
4. White with a drop of yellow - This was my top pick to achieve the look I wanted. Much like the blue, you only need the smallest amount of yellow in order to not tint the ink to much. It was a bit more forgiving than mixing the blue however. it gave the white on white the right contrast and in my opinion the best results for me.
Thanks for everyone's tips:)
Thanks, Its always great to hear and see the actual results of suggestions. This will be a great thread for years to come
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NOTE: I would upload images, but the form won't allow me.
When the forum does not permit an image attachment, it's almost always due to it exceeding the maximum size
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RStefanick:
Thanks for the comment, I hope it helps others who are looking to do the same look in the future!