Waterbase and Discharge Ink Printing
Objectives:
- To improve production performance, minimize down time, and optimize screen life by preparing durable stencils with quality products and screen making techniques.
- To understand the importance of a properly designed stencil making area.
Aquasol HV For Water Base Discharge and Plastisol Inks (Aquasol HVP Aquasol TS are also good choices)
Details:
- Preparing quality screens for water base and discharge textile printing.
- Proper Coating, Drying and Exposure of emulsion for waterbase and discharge screens.
- Mesh and Squeegee selection. Press Set Up, Printing with waterbase and discharge inks.
Orientation: Understanding how many factors influence the success of the screen.
Control these 8 areas for durable screens.
- Water base and especially discharge inks are highly aggressive and require a durable stencil prepared with special emulsions and handling.
- Understand & Control the key variables to standardize processes, techniques and materials to yield the most durable stencil possible.
- Preparing Quality Screens is the key to faster and consistent production without having to go through costly down time due to premature stencil breakdown.
Topic 1: Mesh Selection
- Water base and discharge need S thread mesh or Murakami’s LX Mesh where optimum ink laydown is needed, (in red.)
- Notice that the meshes in red also have the largest open area in their mesh count. This open area allows discharge ink and waterbase to print easier, with better color and less prone to drying in the mesh.
- You will notice that there is both an LX Mesh and standard polyester mesh in the same mesh count. LX-Mesh is a totally new and unique mesh with very smooth mesh knuckles and a proprietary thread that allows inks to print easier and yet still have excellent tension re-tension and low elongation. LX-Mesh can withstand reclaiming better. Never use a pinpoint pressure washer spray on S or LX mesh which can damage fine meshes.
Topic 2: Preparing the Mesh for Emulsion
Murakami HR-701 Non-caustic haze remover designed to remove stains in mesh without damaging the threads that is typical of caustic haze removers.
Murakami DGR-801 Murakami degreaser is designed to clean the mesh to remove grease and contaminants. Avoid stiff bristle brushes as they can damage fine mesh. Instead use a sponge like the one shown to the right for degreasing the screen.
Click here to continue reading the article: Creating Durable Screens
For more information and specifications on using Murakami products in production please contact our Technical Support Representatives available Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm PST at: (323) 980-0662
