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screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: Rockers on February 21, 2012, 12:38:57 AM
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Excuse my ignorance but today I just stumbled by accident over QCM inks. Never heard of them before. Just did a quick check on the internet, all or most their inks are Phthalate Free? One of our ink distributers here in Japan is pushing them right now but I guess what their is no such thing as free ink samples in this country, apart from your occasional 200g pot. Having used Sericol Phthalate Free inks in the late 90s and Union Inks liberty ink series in 2005 I`m just wondering if there is much of a difference. Saying that I hope there is because both were fairly terrible back then. Reading the QCM website make it sound like a very good ink though. What is your experience and are Phthalate Free inks popular in the States? Is QCM the way to go when it comes to Phthalate Free?
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QCM was way ahead of the game in offering phalate free inks. I currently use the QMX Pantone mixing system and I love it. Their formula book is great for simulations and give you the colors opacity strength with an option to mix in a clear base and a white base for the same color. I love the way it prints wet on wet. I have not used their whites yet but hear the QCM158 or 159 is a great ink but is a squeegee climber on an auto.
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What`s the finish like of the those QCM inks. Kind of shiny or rather matte? Do they stretch well. Maybe I should just get some not free samples ordered.
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I would call them a satin finish. They do have nice stretch to them as well.
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Sounds great. Once we have moved our factory I will give them a try. Did you ever use their Athletic Team inks?
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No the QMX system is all I ever used. I am trying to transition into offering more waterbased/discharge so thats what I am focusing on now.
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Once we have our new automatic we will be offering as well more wb and discharge printing. What emulsion do you use for your wb/dc inks?
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I have used Ulano 925 WR with great success and also CCI WR25.
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Both of them are easy to reclaim? I assume you are using a dip tank.
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Not the easiest in the world to reclaim but I have not used a water resistant emulsion that was and yes dip tank with Easiway Supra although I may be making a change to CCI Dip n Strip.
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Anybody using the QCM 142 low bleed production white? I got a sample gallon from a vender to try. It looks pretty thick and creamy.
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Anybody using the QCM 142 low bleed production white? I got a sample gallon from a vender to try. It looks pretty thick and creamy.
I'd like to try some, I've used the 158 and 159 but not the 142.
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How do you guys rate the QCM inks compared to the Wilflex Epic inks?
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How do you guys rate the QCM inks compared to the Wilflex Epic inks?
I really like Epic Sprint and Quick white. On 100% cotton the Sprint really kicks ass. I did some testing today with the 142 and it has a fast flash. Maybe even faster than Quick White. I will be doing some testing next week on the auto if we get a break in production to play with it.
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How do you guys rate the QCM inks compared to the Wilflex Epic inks?
I tried and switched from Epic. Less buildup on the back of screens, 158 is a great
white and just as easy to mix PMS (I just use the use the Wilflex ink matching software
and have tojust tweak in a little) and I could go on...
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QCM is now part of the Rutland group. To my knowledge all production is or has been moved to the Pineville NC facility
just an FYI
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How do you guys rate the QCM inks compared to the Wilflex Epic inks?
I tried and switched from Epic. Less buildup on the back of screens, 158 is a great
white and just as easy to mix PMS (I just use the use the Wilflex ink matching software
and have tojust tweak in a little) and I could go on...
QCM has their own mixing software. Go on their site and click on downloads
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I already tried the QCM 142 low bleed on 50/50 red shirt
with good results on manual press doing p/f/p 110 mesh
flash to gel around 220 degrees
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QCM ink has been phthalate free for over 11 years, so the trial and error bugs have been worked out, although now most ink manufactures offer some phthalate free inks. QCM is apart of the Rutland family, but the formulas are the same as when they were manufactured in Kent, WA.
As far as being “better” well every screen printer has their own techniques and preferences when it comes to ink, what one printer likes may not be ideal for another. There are also a ton of variables in equipment, technique, climate, the garment and so on. So it comes down to what works best for you. It is true that the XOLB-158 and XOLB-159 have been known to climb the squeegee a little on an automatic; however the XOLB-142 is often preferred by auto-printers because of the opacity and fast flashing characteristics without the squeegee climb. The XOLB-151 is another option that is fast flashing, for automatic presses, and is a “brighter” white. However, the XOLB-142 is more popular because it's usually more competitive in price.
The QMX formulas are available on the QCM website; however, the new Pantone Plus colors have not been added. Rutland has an applications lab that will match the color and email the formula.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please visit the manufacturer section of the forum under the Rutland thread!
Thanks!
Best Regards'
Melissa Cambra
Rutland Plastics & Technology
Union Ink & QCM Ink
MelissaC@Rutlandinc.com
QCM, The environmentally friendly Ink.
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Your distributer here in Japan does stock all colors and products of the QCM inks??
QCM ink has been phthalate free for over 11 years, so the trial and error bugs have been worked out, although now most ink manufactures offer some phthalate free inks. QCM is apart of the Rutland family, but the formulas are the same as when they were manufactured in Kent, WA.
As far as being “better” well every screen printer has their own techniques and preferences when it comes to ink, what one printer likes may not be ideal for another. There are also a ton of variables in equipment, technique, climate, the garment and so on. So it comes down to what works best for you. It is true that the XOLB-158 and XOLB-159 have been known to climb the squeegee a little on an automatic; however the XOLB-142 is often preferred by auto-printers because of the opacity and fast flashing characteristics without the squeegee climb. The XOLB-151 is another option that is fast flashing, for automatic presses, and is a “brighter” white. However, the XOLB-142 is more popular because it's usually more competitive in price.
The QMX formulas are available on the QCM website; however, the new Pantone Plus colors have not been added. Rutland has an applications lab that will match the color and email the formula.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please visit the manufacturer section of the forum under the Rutland thread!
Thanks!
Best Regards'
Melissa Cambra
Rutland Plastics & Technology
Union Ink & QCM Ink
MelissaC@Rutlandinc.com
QCM, The environmentally friendly Ink.