"flashing" ink

finalhourclothing · May 19th, 2008, 12:32 AM

i've seen places around that "flash" the ink before doing mulitiple colors or before they redo another coat. i was just curious on what "flashing" was and how its performed.

SkyLinePrints · May 20th, 2008, 08:16 AM

Flashing ink is the process where a stand alone heating element is positioned over the platten for 5-7 seconds to gel the ink not fully cure it. after this, the next coat or color can be applied without the two inks blending together.

finalhourclothing · May 20th, 2008, 04:21 PM

so if i print a light color on a dark shirt i would need to flash it so i can apply another coat to help darken it. am i right with that?

jr_sanford · May 20th, 2008, 04:50 PM

That is correct. Like printing white on black. Flood > Print > Flash > Flood > Print and you will see that your sublimation is reduced dramatically.

A tight screen (mesh) 156 or lower is preferred
A sharp squeegee (70 durometer or higher)
Proper "off contact" is crucial

J.R. Sanford
Production Manager
NW Awards
185 NW Chehalis AV
Chehalis, WA 98532
(shop) 360-748-7346
(cell) 360-880-6384
[email address]

finalhourclothing · May 21st, 2008, 12:39 AM

well i just started out printing and i have a 110 mesh and i couldnt tell you what the squeege is. i got it from a frined who got it in a black widow starter kit. will the 110 mesh ok for now until i get tighter screens? and besides a flask curer what would be the quickest way to flash and cure a shirt?

jr_sanford · May 21st, 2008, 10:05 AM

First of all the "110" part of the mesh has nothing to do with the taughtness of the screen.

110 means how many threads per inch. 110 would be considered a somewhat corse mesh suitable for thick inks such as QCM's XOLB-159 GLACIER PLUS which I use for cotton and cotton blends.

Here's their website QCM Glacier White

You will need some sort of Flash Dryer to hover over the garment AFTER you lay down the first coat of ink. The Glacier White flashes in about 5-6 seconds then you can lay down another coat of ink to give it that bright look you want.

J.R. Sanford
Production Manager
NW Awards
185 NW Chehalis AV
Chehalis, WA 98532
(shop) 360-748-7346
(cell) 360-880-6384
[email address]

finalhourclothing · May 23rd, 2008, 12:51 AM

thank you for your help. flashing my shirts helped them turn out alot better. the only thing is i had to use a regular heat gun but it worked just the same. again thank you.

jr_sanford · May 23rd, 2008, 02:17 AM

Remember that you only need to "Flash" the ink - not totally cure it before applying the second coat. The first coat only needs to be "gelled" (not transferring) before the next coat is applied.

J.R. Sanford
Production Manager
N.W. Awards
185 N.W. Chehalis, AV
Chehalis, WA 98532
360-748-7346
360-880-6384
[email address]