Do you struggle with having to stop screen printing frequently to clean plastisol ink off the back of your screen?
Discover these expert tips to prevent ink buildup and keep your t-shirt printing process smooth and efficient.
Ways to Reduce Plastisol Ink Build Up
Use these tips in order to get the most out of Multi-Tech's screen printing plastisol inks and reduce plastisol ink build up.
- Regularly wipe the back of the screen with a lint-free cloth and Lawson's PW-305 Press Wash sparingly during long print runs to remove any buildup before it becomes an issue.
- Print with properly tensioned screens. Ensure screens are properly tensioned. Loose screens allow ink to pass through inconsistently, increasing the chance of buildup.
- Select a mesh count appropriate for your design. Higher mesh counts reduce ink deposit and minimize buildup.
- Adjust the screen's off-contact distance to prevent excessive ink from being pushed onto the back of the screen during printing.
- Use a sharp, hard squeegee (70-Durometer) with a moderate squeegee angle (around 45 degrees) and avoid applying too much pressure, which can force too much ink through the screen mesh.
- Reduce ink viscosity with Multi-Tech's Thinner DT and/or MSB-100 Clear Soft Hand Extender.
- Use a smooth, even flood stroke to distribute ink without overloading the screen.
- Choose Lawson's Plastisol Inks designed for easy flow and low tack to prevent excessive adhesion to the screen.
- High temperatures can cause plastisol ink to become stickier, increasing the risk of buildup.
- Over time, screens can degrade, leading to uneven prints and buildup. Regularly inspect and replace screens as needed. Check out our Frame Exchange Program.
- A quicker squeegee stroke pushes less ink through the screen mesh, reducing the likelihood of excess ink transferring to the backside of the screen.
- Ensure your screens are accurately registered so overlapping areas are minimized, reducing unnecessary ink deposition.
- For overlapping or multi-color prints, flash cure each layer before printing the next to prevent wet ink from transferring to the back of the screen.
- Print lighter colors first, followed by darker ones, to minimize ink mixing and buildup in overlapping regions.
Lawson Screen and Digital has everything you need, offering a wide selection of plastisol inks and essential tools to enhance your shop’s efficiency.
Are you an existing customer with Screen Printing questions? Contact us!
