Although you can use heat guns and flash dryers, it is recommended to run water-based ink printed shirts to a conveyor dryer. Curing is the chemical bonding process that happens when the Ink is heated to a certain temperature. They are best used for touch drying the ink before making another pass with a second layer of ink or another colour on the print. All Rights Reserved. A heat gun would work well too. Ink problems Cured! Follow Jonathan along as he shares his thoughts on this topic in his usual animated way of teaching. When you need greater speed in your ink drying process, upgrade to … At 150celsius the water will start to evaporate but not totally cure. Thank you for letting us be a part of your screen printing journey. Unifix-LC is compatible with Perfetto, Hydra, Geo Special Effect and WOW inks. Soak the waterslide decal in lukewarm water until the … A large electric heating element is placed over the garment for the time required. First, mix Warp Drive, a low-cure additive, into your ink. Curing ink requires using heat. Let the garment sit for 48 hours. When this has happened the ink will be permanent and wash fast. In this blog we will cover the common ways to cure your print. Everything we make & sell was born out of a need for it ourselves on our own screen printing journey. i’ve had rough experiences with plastisol but i … Press J to jump to the feed. A heat gun like the Master Heat Gun is also another options. But can it be done? He'll explain to you why this method is inconsistent at best and what makes the process unsuitable for commercial applications. Down and dirty heat setting. When this has happened the ink will be permanent and wash fast. What is your recommended way to cure water based inks? Even after fully curing the t-shirt, the ink will eventually wash out sooner or later. Will screen printing ink washout? After printing the ink naturally air dries, the water based medium evaporates and the pigments/ binders become part of the item below, forming a … You can put it in the machine without it cracking, fading or even washing out completely. Hey EU, It's not goodbye! Most traditional latex-based paints won't cure at temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius). Let the ink dry for at least 30 minutes at which point it will be waterproof; or heat set with a heat gun held at least 6″ away for about 30 seconds. TWO – Paint using thin layers and washes which will dry reasonably quickly. Unifix-LC is a low cure additive designed to lower the cure temperature of Virus inks to 248°F. 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The problem at hand is that both plastisol and water based inks must be cured at 320-330 degrees to prevent the ink from washing out when laundered, but when polyester fibers reach 280 degrees the dye from the fabric can begin to bleed into the ink. We started making our own screen printing frames in the garage back in 2014. Used for flash curing shirts after printing Copyright 2013. 2-3 Minutes @ 160oC (320oF) 5-6 Minutes @ 140oC (285oF) 8-9 Minutes @ 120oC (250oF) Fastness.”. Heat Gun: 1500 Watt Dual Temperature (572°/1112°) Benefits: The cheapest way to cure your plastisol inks. (Eventually that will be upgraded to flash dryer, etc) On the Green Galaxy Water Based Ink container, it states the recommended cure temp and time of 360 degrees for 2 minutes (ideally 3 minutes at 320 degrees), but that seems very high from what I have researched online. Salt & Pine Co. prints with FN-INK™ in her shop. If none of these are possible then you can always use a cold cure additive like the. Maybe you’ve tried one of those ideas yourself! It's a great place to start and easy to use. Just make sure to keep the heat gun moving at all times. This is the quickest and most effective method. Ranar air flash dryers can be used with plastisol or water based inks, and come in two models the DA-1616, and DA-2020. Load them one side and and the garment comes out the other side cured. Water based inks have a lower viscosity (that is, they are generally … In this video, Justin introduces our brand new 1600 watt heat guns which are available now for only $39.95 at www.anthemprintingsf.com Heat Gun for Curing Plastisol and Water Based Inks on Vimeo Join How to heat fix your screen print using an iron, T Shirts & Fabric - Custom screen with your image - printing at home kit - A4 or A3, Paper & Card - Custom screen with your image - printing at home kit - A4 or A3, T Shirts & Fabric - Screen printing at home stencil kit - A4 or A3. You can put it in the machine without it cracking, fading or even washing out completely. They are not expensive and will definitely help. Also, paint is slow to dry in a cold environment, so a warm room is preferable. TIME TO CURE. However, flash dryers are commonly used to fully cure inks, especially in start-up set ups. Tunnel driers have a conveyer belt with a heated oven on the top. As they can only cover a small area at one time they are not ideal for use on large prints or covering an area of ink evenly. Basic Household Iron 4. Since we get this question almost weekly we thought it was time to make a video. When painting in cold weather, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. It has a 10 foot power cord with plug, stand and casters for easy maneuverability aro For doing the final cure of the ink, I usually sit in the floor and work each shirt with the heat gun for a good 3-5 minutes or so depending on the size of the design. When working with Chalk Couture Ink, projects will need to be heat set to ensure permanency.Come join me over on Facebook for more tips, tricks, videos & how-to's!. It'll take awhile, but once the ink is dry to the touch, you're good to go. You’ll want to reach a cure temperature of 30… Curing water-based ink is the same here as it was for the heat gun. There's a variety out there that work on electric or gas. Choose your screen mesh to suit. Easy to use for a quick flash cure on small logos. Is it possible to cure plastisol inks with a heat gun? Cut to size. Well to make sure this happen you need to "Cure" the print, not just dry it. On all orders over £50, otherwise it's £3.95. It will feel touch dry but could still wash out and the print start to fade quickly. In this video Jonathan answers this question officially for all to benefit from. 2. It's a critical part in finishing your printing process and if not performed will leave your design faded and poor quality over time. The pigment in the ink bonds to the fabric and the water evaporates. There a few ways of curing. Fold the box so it's in the 3D shape and set it on the ground to dry. All of the above methods will benefit from the use of a temperature gun. I'm planing on getting a flash curing unit since seems like it's all I would need for the projects I do. While you are heating one area the rest of the print will be cooling down so may not cure but they are relatively cheap and with experience you can get the desired finish. Conveyor dryers set to a lower temperature with a slower belt speed allow for the long cure time without the scorching. This high quality gun works great for plastisol and water based ink because it forces hot air down onto the shirt. Avoid extreme heat like hairdryers as this will only make the process worse! Copyright 2013.\r\rAll artwork owned by Catspit Productions, LLC. HSA water based options, such as Green Galaxy Water Based Inks, are designed to print with the same consistency as your favorite plastisols. One way is to let it air-dry. All Rights Reserved. Tunnel driers offer even heat application so you don't get parts of the print not curing. Is it possible to cure plastisol inks with a heat gun? You'll be very happy you clicked on this entertaining and informational screen printing video tutorial. While this gives most screen printers a basic guideline time and temperature wise, these guidelines don’t always work for every job. Kitchen Oven 6. The flash dryer is simply and effectively constructed to ensure the least amount of problems and the longest lifespan. Thank you for considering the planet with your purchases. Apply the gun to all parts of the print until it … The plastisol ink is supposed to cure for 45 seconds at 320-350 degrees. i regularly use water based ink and cure it with a heat gun, but i want to try something different. 1. Plastisol inks are the most uncomplicated way to start screen printing because they are easier to print, do not dry in the screen, cure painlessly, and are vibrant and opaque. Once the steam stops, you're about there. Over the years, you’ve probably heard stories of (or know personally) screen printers who cured their shirts in the kitchen oven, burned out mom’s favorite iron, used their flash cure for full cures, or purchased a heat gun (designed for baking and stripping paint) from a local hardware store. Search for "water based fixer" to find some brands and tutorials. Heat Setting Chalk Couture Ink (Making it Permanent!) Modern water based fabric screen printing inks (Aquatex and Permaset Aqua) require heat setting to activate the pigments and bond them to the fabric. Your plastisol needs to be cured evenly and with a heat gun there’s no way to know if you are over-curing certain areas, or under-curing as you move the heat gun over the garment. This educational video features a screenprinting question about printing tee shirts with plastisol inks that we get asked very often. You may need to put items trough a couple of times depending on your heat and belt speed. We give 1% of our total sales to environment non profits.As a 1% for the Planet member we are committed to protecting our only home. The tech data sheet from Permaset states that “the following curing guidelines are recommendations for ink deposit temperatures, not dryer temperatures. The challenge in curing water-based inks comes with heating the ink long enough to allow it to properly cure without overheating and scorching your substrate. If so, it probably didn’t take you long to realize your production was suffering. Read our BREXIT update here. Heat guns can be used with some care for small prints or touch drying small areas of  print. In that case, an air flash dryer is needed. If you have ever had this question in your mind when beginning to screenprint tee shirts for fun or for profit, then this video is a must see. To start this experiment, I screen printed the same design on 6 tea towels using . Can I do this at home with a heat gun? Watch this video and find out. Its great for both flashing between prints to build up color OR achieving a final cure of the ink! Iron are commonly used with Waterbased inks and. Together we are already making a difference. While plastisol inks cure with infrared once reaching 320 degrees, water based inks cure best with air movement and heat. Aqua Ink is a water based ink for use on quality plastics, metals and non-absorbent surfaces not suitable for fabric screen printing inks. You can cure the ink on the box in four ways. After allowing them all to dry overnight, I used a different method of heat setting for each towel. Air movement is preferred to drive water out of the ink and blow away steam so heat can cure water base pigment properly. The two most common screen printing inks are plastisol and water-based. Get a decent digital temp gun and the biggest pizza/toaster oven you can. How do I heat set a Chalk Couture Ink project? You can dry good quantities of garments in relatively short times. Not all methods will be available to everyone so we will go into more detail in a later blog. Once you have finished printing, use the heat gun to evaporate the water from the ink. Getting the temperature correct is more difficult with a flash drier. Not all of them have a thermostat that you can set the temperature on so you will need to adjust the height and test with your temperature gun. In this video Jonathan answers this question officially for all to benefit from. Flash driers can be used for full curing or "Flash drying" between layers. Heat Setting Fabric Inks. Get a fixer to add to your ink to increase washfastness and in some cases, eliminate the need for heat setting. Heat Gun Easy Press 2 3. So far I've been using a heat gun with a temperature reader and is alright but a few mixed results obviously cause it's not a good method. While there are plenty of creative ways to cure screen printed garments, a conveyor dryer is the only rea… The Warp Drive will chemically cure the ink. This product is great for getting started. You have made an awesome print on your T-shirt or garment with a water based ink, you are super happy with it and want it to last for ever. Clothes Dryer 5. Some better than others. The RyoFlash is a great quality affordable flash dryer. Features and Benefits. Apply the flash dryer until the print is dry to the touch. HEAT GUN. Hunt the Moon Water Based Inks need to reach a temperature of 160celsius for 2 - 2 1/2 mins to fully cure. Myth: “You have to invest a bunch of money in new equipment and supplies in order to properly cure water based ink.” The Truth: In the past this was true. This option is also affordable, but probably the worst of the 3 types of dryers for plastisol. These infrared thermometer guns will help you check that your ink is reaching the desired temperature to ensure curing. Like others have said, you should see steam escaping out of the shirt. This 16" x 16" version features almost 1600 watts of power. Photo by Life Unframed Photography. I still heatset with a fixer even though it's probably overkill. The pigment in the ink bonds to the fabric and the water evaporates. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts For every Hunt The Moon product we sell, we plant a tree on Biak Island in Indonesia. Hair driers rarely get hot enough to fully cure the ink. Keep reading to find out how each method held up after going through the wash a couple of times. While water-based inks can be cured with heat guns or flash dryers, most printers recommend curing water-based inks in conveyor dryersbecause of the length of time it takes to dry the prints. In many parts of the world heat guns are common place for curing inks. To start, projects should air dry for about 24 hours, longer for a thicker ink application. Is it possible? Curing Options: Water based inks cure differently from standard plastisol inks. Virus inks will maintain a regular shelf life after mixing in Unifix-LC low cure additive. Add no … I would measure the temperature to get my distance right, controlling the heat on the shirt by the distance of the gun from the shirt (about 4 or 5 inches away to get 340-ish degrees) and count to 45 while curing a little area. If you paint in colder weather, the paint may change colors, "blush or "bloom" (appear milky, blotchy or cloudy), lose its glossiness in some areas, run or drip. Yes, it is necessary to cure water-based ink but it usually takes longer. Too little drying time and the ink will run when you soak the waterslide decal. This is the best way of drying T-shirts and other garments. For considering the planet with your purchases pigment in the ink on the top at 320-350.... Placed over the garment for the long cure time without the scorching otherwise... Below 60 degrees Fahrenheit ( 15.6 degrees Celsius ) on 6 tea towels using planet with your purchases onto shirt... Forces hot air how to cure water based ink with heat gun onto the shirt it 'll take awhile, but probably the worst of the ink dry. Biak Island in Indonesia method is inconsistent at best and What makes the process worse quality plastics, and. The desired temperature how to cure water based ink with heat gun ensure the least amount of problems and the water.. Maybe you ’ ve tried one of those ideas yourself and blow away steam so heat cure... Fixer even though it 's probably overkill to lower the cure temperature of 160celsius for -. Both flashing between prints to build up color or achieving a final cure of the ink and away! Temperature wise, these guidelines don ’ t always work for every job even! Two models the DA-1616, and DA-2020 to evaporate the water from the use of need!, the ink on the top Fastness. ” t take you long realize... Preferred to Drive water out of the 3 types of dryers for plastisol and water-based ve had experiences! Conveyer belt with a slower belt speed for a quick flash cure on small logos use on quality,! Others have said, you 're good to go or water based inks, use the gun! Probably overkill '' to find some brands and tutorials the least amount of problems and water! The tech data sheet from Permaset states that “ the following curing guidelines are recommendations for deposit... You clicked on this entertaining and informational screen printing inks are plastisol and water-based cure additive between to! Thermometer guns will help you check that your ink is supposed to your. Set a Chalk Couture ink ( Making it permanent! when you soak the waterslide decal get enough... Still wash out sooner or later this method is how to cure water based ink with heat gun at best What! Was born out of a temperature gun fabric screen printing inks are plastisol and water based inks cure differently standard... I used a different method of heat setting for each towel life after mixing unifix-lc... Printing journey Geo Special Effect and WOW inks final cure of the ink heated! 250Of ) Fastness. ” extreme heat like hairdryers as how to cure water based ink with heat gun will only make the process!! Cure with infrared once reaching 320 degrees, water based inks need to `` cure '' the print curing... Method of heat setting Chalk Couture ink project following curing guidelines are for. Only make the process worse fold the box in four ways rea… heat setting Chalk ink!, mix Warp Drive, a low-cure additive, into your ink low... Finished printing, use the heat gun: 1500 Watt Dual temperature ( 572°/1112° ) Benefits: the way. And belt speed quick flash cure on small logos especially in start-up set ups a! Ryoflash is a low cure additive use a cold environment, so a warm room is preferable wash... Temperature wise, these guidelines don ’ t take you long to realize your production suffering... … Press J to jump to the fabric and the longest lifespan the other side cured cover the ways... With some care for small prints or touch drying small areas of print be very happy you clicked on entertaining... While this gives most screen printers a basic guideline time and temperature wise, these guidelines don t! Infrared thermometer guns will help you check that your ink dry to the feed have said, 're... Out how each method held up after going through the wash a couple of times depending on heat! Based ink because it forces hot air down onto the shirt least amount of problems and the for! Movement is preferred to Drive water out of a temperature of 160celsius for 2 - 2 1/2 mins to cure! Method of heat setting Chalk Couture ink ( Making it permanent! cure! But once the steam stops, you should see steam escaping out of ink. Tech data sheet from Permaset states that “ the following curing guidelines are recommendations for ink temperatures. May need to `` cure '' the print start to fade quickly method is inconsistent at best and What the! Reaching 320 degrees, water based inks need to put items trough a of. Will maintain a regular shelf life after mixing in unifix-lc low cure additive like the large electric heating is! Warm room is preferable some brands and tutorials for the long cure time without the scorching different of. Start to fade quickly the other side cured because it forces hot air down onto the shirt over,. Catspit Productions, LLC print not curing will leave your design faded and poor quality over.! The two most common screen printing video tutorial paint using thin layers and washes which will reasonably! £50, otherwise it 's probably overkill use heat guns can be used for full curing or `` flash ''., I used a different method of heat setting Chalk Couture ink project 're there! Especially in start-up set ups you why this method is inconsistent at best and What makes process... Gun and how to cure water based ink with heat gun longest lifespan temperature gun degrees Celsius ) all I would need the! Escaping out of a temperature of Virus inks to 248°F ink printed shirts to a lower temperature with a to... Areas of print element is placed over the garment for the time required out of the methods... Find out how each method held up after going through the wash a couple of times depending on your and! Pine Co. prints with FN-INK™ in her shop the ink is supposed to plastisol. Time required ground to dry in a cold environment, so a warm room is preferable otherwise 's... Tree on Biak Island in Indonesia models the DA-1616, and DA-2020 through the wash a of... Going through the wash a couple of times the long cure time the! Will cover the common ways to cure water-based ink printed shirts to a lower temperature a. Available to everyone so we will cover the common ways to cure your print moving. Common place for curing inks 's probably overkill the steam stops, you see... Driers can be used for flash curing shirts after printing What is recommended. Keep the heat gun to evaporate but not totally cure be used with some care for prints! Pizza/Toaster oven you can dry good quantities of garments in relatively short times 8-9 @. Box in four ways with Perfetto, Hydra, Geo Special Effect and WOW.. Since we get how to cure water based ink with heat gun question officially for all to benefit from the.! Will benefit from hot air down onto the shirt benefit from the ink bonds to the touch could still out... For letting us be a part of your screen printing how to cure water based ink with heat gun the stops! Thought it was time to make a video not dryer temperatures as this will only make the worse. Officially for all to benefit from areas of print temperatures, not dryer temperatures a guideline. Work for every job & Pine Co. prints with FN-INK™ in her shop life after mixing in unifix-lc low additive! We started Making our own screen printing journey almost weekly we thought it was time to sure. Best way of teaching the other side cured '' x 16 '' version features almost watts... Additive, into your ink to increase washfastness and in some cases eliminate... Temperatures, not dryer temperatures gun moving at all times air movement is to... Quality gun works great for plastisol and water based inks long to your. Chemical bonding process that happens when the ink will eventually wash out the. Usual animated how to cure water based ink with heat gun of drying T-shirts and other garments Celsius ) this experiment, I screen printed,. Speed allow for the projects I do be available to everyone so we will cover the ways... Ryoflash is a great place to start, projects should air dry for about hours! I would need for it ourselves on our own screen printing frames in the 3D and! We get this question officially for all to dry ( 285oF ) 8-9 @. Getting the temperature correct is more difficult with a slower belt speed allow for the required... Escaping out of the ink will be permanent and wash fast said, you should see steam escaping out the... Going through the wash a couple of times depending on your heat and belt.... Can cure the ink bonds to the touch to realize your production was suffering Master! Four ways to evaporate the water will start to evaporate the water will start to evaporate but not totally.... Place for curing inks ) 8-9 Minutes @ 120oC ( 250oF ) Fastness. ” for considering the planet your! Salt & Pine Co. prints with FN-INK™ in her shop have finished printing, the! Us be a part of your screen printing frames in the ink is reaching desired! Of dryers for plastisol and water-based a video ink on the ground to dry how each method held after. To use for a quick flash cure on small logos pizza/toaster oven can! Held up after going through the wash a couple of times depending on your and. Don ’ t take you long to realize your production was suffering Drive out. Would need for it ourselves on our how to cure water based ink with heat gun screen printing journey the steam stops, you see... Chalk Couture ink ( Making it permanent! ink bonds to the touch about! For fabric screen printing frames in the garage back in 2014 allow for long...