Impressions - June/July 2017 - 30

New Screen-Printing Products
Sign up at impressionsmag.com to get the Impressions Product Guide
to Screen Printing Equipment, Accessories and Supplies, which will be
emailed July 25.
1. Brown Mfg. PonyXprs
Mobile, multicolor printing and drying unit  Ideal for small spaces  Printer
features a wrenchless X-Y-Z micro-registration system and individual head offcontact control  Dryer features easily adjustable heater height
Use Info⋅Action #400 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

2. RhinoTech M-10-2 Recirculating System
Maximizes screen-cleaning economy and enables reuse of screen-cleaning
products  Fits securely under a washout booth when floor space is limited
 Operates with an air-operated trigger action and flow-through brush
Use Info⋅Action #401 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

3. Insta Graphic Systems 158 Digital Auto Release Digi-Press
Ideal for screen-printed transfer applications, according to the company
 Includes auto-open feature with the lightweight, ergonomic design of a
manual clam-shell heat press  Can be a pre- and post-curing agent for the DTG
marketplace
Use Info⋅Action #402 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

4. International Coatings Guardian Gray
Bleed-blocking underbase that protects against dye migration  Proprietary
formula uses a unique hybrid technology  For use on polyester and
performance fabrics  A wide curing range makes it suitable for various inksystem top coats and substrates
Use Info⋅Action #403 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

5. Ryonet ROQ Oval Evolution Automatic Screen-Printing Press
Designed for high production, cut pieces, allover printing and special effects
in an infinite number of colors, according to the company  Oval design makes
it possible to add as many stations as needed  AC electric print heads have
independent elevation and feature pneumatic high-lift position for quick-andeasy frame cleaning
Use Info⋅Action #404 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

6. Waterbase Ink USA Aquo-Paque Super White Ink
Premium water-based white ink for use where excellent coverage is needed
 Offers opacity and color brightness  Designed for printing on dark 100%
cotton, blends and synthetics  Soft hand, excellent fiber matte-down
properties and easy printability, according to the company
Use Info⋅Action #405 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

2. Properly tensioned screens (>25 N/cm2) to allow for minimal
squeegee pressure and minimal ink penetration into the fabric.
3. Use of a 75/90/75-durometer squeegee, which will transfer
the desired ink film onto the fabric surface without overshearing.
4. Use of fast-flashing, high-opacity white ink with good shear
characteristics and minimal after-fl ash tack to ensure optimal
printing speeds, especially on automatics.
5. Minimal flash temperatures (150˚F-250˚F) to ensure a proper
gel without curing the underbase ink film's surface, which could
result in poor intercoat adhesion.
Nearly all ink suppliers offer products designed for printing on
these fabrics. Dye-blocking grays and blacks have special absorbing
components and dyes that are released into the ink film through the
sublimation or migration processes.
The downside to printing on fabrics with a high potential for excessive dye migration or sublimation is that the fabric may require a
thicker dye-blocking underbase ink film to ensure any released dyes
are absorbed. Some inks flash and cure at temperatures as low as
260˚F to assist with this process.
The exception is printing on athletic fabrics, such as sublimated,
dyed polyester, which may require a heavier underbase (printed through
a 125 or 110 mesh) to meet the ink's demands to properly preform.
P.30

I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M JUNE/JULY 2017

Colored & SFX Underbases
Most screen printers simply use a white-ink underbase when printing a multicolored graphic on a dark garment to achieve the desired
effect. In many growing shops, this can be a challenge if a graphic
requires a bright white or the press situation limits the press operator
due to the number of available print heads.
For instance, a graphic with a medium-to-light shade of gray will
make an excellent underbase. In this situation, it would act not only
as the base for the remaining colors, but also is the additional color
needed for the graphic. This is an "outside-the-box" separation technique that will be dependent on the graphic in question, but can solve
many problems in the correct situation.
Special-effects (SFX) underbasing is a process that few screen
printers have used. For those who offer a variety of SFX techniques,
underbasing with different inks tailored to this type of printing can
offer an array of eye-catching effects.
Puff or suede underbasing is an easy way to achieve a multicolor
puff print without printing and flashing multiple colors. The basic
process involves printing a puff underbase to achieve the intended
amount of loft for the desired effect, then flashing and overprinting.
This allows for printing multiple special effects with 3-D details.

http://www.impressionsmag.com http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM

Impressions - June/July 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - June/July 2017