Screen Printing - April/May 2020 - 15

FOIL WITH HIGH DENSITY
Utilize all that hard work above by
applying foil to our high density after
printing. The two biggest components
you'll want to consider when doing
this are temperature and pressure. You
won't want to apply too much additional heat to the ink as it can cause
it to begin to re-gel and lose some of
the crispness of the print. Applying too
much pressure will crush it. To achieve
the outcome without a lot of effect, you
can R&D tap the high density (lightly)
as it's coming out of the dryer to
"speckle" the print (see Image 4).

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

APPEARING INK (WHEN WET)
A new(ish) effect is an ink that blocks
the garment area where it's printed
from getting wet (see Image 5). When
used on heathered garments (not too
light, not too dark), the ink is invisible
when not wet, and "appears" when
the garment is wet. Being utilized for
water entertainment venues and within
the fitness industry, it's becoming a
new craze in printing. While it looks
great on its own, it can really add a
wow factor when added to another
image on the garment. This particle
wet appearing ink is a water-based ink
and therefore you must prepare your
screens appropriately. The most common problem with screens when prepping for printing with water-based ink
is under exposure. This will cause the
emulsion to break down on the press.
You'll want to ensure you're using
an emulsion that can handle waterbased inks, but if you're not exposing
correctly, you won't stand a chance.
Pull out your exposure calculators on
a regular basis and document your
results. Also consider post exposure
and temporary hardeners when needed.
You'll want to pay attention to your
dryers and ensure that cure times and
temperatures are being met. Other than
that, it's a breeze to work with.

IMAGE 3

CRACK INKS

IMAGE 4

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

Gone are the days of pulling and
stretching at the end of the dryer with
your fingers crossed that crack ink
worked. New crack inks will dry on
press (with the use of a flash) so you'll
know they've reacted correctly before it
goes into the dryer. From deep effects
to simpler overlays on top of contrasting colors, crack is back (see Image
7). Achieving great deposit and being
patient with your dwell and flash times
will be the saving grace with this ink.
Use the information on screens, capillary film, durometer, and exposure in
the high density section to make your
screens to produce a great looking print.
Exploiting the press dehydration of this
ink (what makes it crack) will make it
effortless as long as you do some investigation into temperature and timing.
Break out your donut probe and ensure
you're applying the heat consistently
without breaks to allow it to cool down.
Now, off to the presses!

Tiffany Rader-Spitzer is the operations and

PHOTOCHROMIC
A dramatic special effect that can create great drama in so many designs
is the use of photochromic ink. Now

widely available and in assorted color
shades, photochromic inks activate
or produce color when exposed to UV
rays (sunlight or black light). Without
them, they appear clear (or sometimes
another color). Depending on the ink
used, you'll want to apply directly to a
light colored garment or onto a base.
Laying on top of a light color will assist in getting the most dramatic shift
in color and true pigmentation of the
shade chosen. One of the most difficult
parts for someone trying the ink out
for the first time, specifically in production, is registration of the ink. Being that it's clear when not in the sun
(and most shops are indoors), it can be
handy to keep a black light around to
shine on the garments when registering on press. Cure temperatures and
times are going to be the most vital to
provide the best effect (see Image 6).

technical product manager at garment screen
print supply house Roeder Industries and
owner/operator of consulting company

IMAGE 7

RedHeaded Step Shirt.

APRIL + MAY 2020 | SCREENPRINTING

Screen Printing - April/May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Screen Printing - April/May 2020