ISS Atlantic City March 8-10, 2013

We are entering our busy Tradeshow season with another ISS Show coming up:  ISS Atlantic City, March 8-10, 2013.

John Levocz, our North East Regional Sales Manager will be on hand to showcase our latest inks and techniques.  Stop by the Nazdar SourceOne (Booth 1301),  Davis International (Booth 1236) or Garston (Booth 933) Booths and check out what we have to offer!

John will also be printing live at the show. Come out and check out the show!

John Levocz, International Coatings’ Northeast regional sales director, has been in the screen printing industry for more than 30 years and has broad experience in graphics and textile printing. John is a contributor to International Coatings’ blogs and holds print seminars all over the country.

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of phthalate-compliant screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

DAX Kansas City 2013 Today and Tomorrow

If you live in or around Kansas City, come to the DAX Kansas City Show being held at the Hilton Garden Inn/Jack Reardon Center.

John Levocz, our North East Regional Manager is on-site showing the latest print techniques and inks.  Be sure to stop by SPSI’s (Booths 202, 203) or Atlas Screen Supply’s (Booths 603, 605, 607, 609) booth.  John will also be printing live at the show so be sure to catch him!

John Levocz, International Coatings’ Northeast regional sales director, has been in the screen printing industry for more than 30 years and has broad experience in graphics and textile printing. John is a contributor to International Coatings’ blogs and holds print seminars all over the country.

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of phthalate-compliant screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

   International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

What comprises plastisol ink?

Here is a short description by Kieth Stevens, recently published in Printwear:

Plastisol inks are the preferred type of inks used in garment printing because they do not dry on the screen and are easy to print. In addition, they come in a variety of special effects and can be used as adhesives for caviar beads, flock and foil.

The basic recipe for plastisol inks is pretty simple. They are made of a mixture of a resin (typically a white powder) and a plasticizer (usually a clear, thick oily liquid). Pigments are then added for color, as well as other additives to give specific properties to the ink. I.e. additives such as a “blowing agent” make the ink puff up in the dryer; glitter or metal flakes may be added to create a shimmer or metallic ink. What makes one ink different from another is what type of ingredients are used and in what proportions.

Plastisol inks do not “dry” or cure at room temperature. Instead, the ink has to be heated to around 320º F. They can be printed on just about any surface that is porous and can withstand the heat to cure it.

Generally, plastisol inks do not contain solvents or volatile organic compounds, making them safe to use and handle with reasonable care. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s product data sheet for details about the particular ink you are using and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for any safety precautions needed.

In the case of printing textiles (garments), the plastisol ink penetrates the fabric and creates a bond by attaching itself to the fibers. For nylon or non-woven fabrics, the ink needs a boost from a bonding agent in order for the plastisol to adhere.

Kieth Stevens is the Western regional sales manager for International Coatings. He has been teaching screen printing for more than 10 years and is a regular contributor to International Coatings’ blogs. For more information, visit iccink.com and read the company’s blog at internationalcoatingsblog.com.

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of phthalate-compliant screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

   International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

Combat Dye Migration

Here is a quick tip on how to combat dye migration, published in Printwear by Ed Branigan…

Top 5 Considerations for Color Communication

Ever have to print color logos for a team and match the team colors for your order?  Here is an article by Kieth Stevens that was recently published in Impressions Magazine on what to look for when communicating colors with your customer:

Communicating with a customer or a vendor about printed colors may sound easy at first, but it can actually become a complicated chore without some sort of standard to measure against. Fortunately, there are color books on the market that the printer and customer can use as points of reference.

The most popular color standard used today is the Pantone® color system. I have learned through the years that even though you may have a “standard” to compare against, there are still many pitfalls and derailments associated with color communication.  Here are some considerations when communicating about color:

Pantone or Color Books
Let’s start out with the standard measuring tool itself. When visiting printing shops, I have often observed that their color books need some serious updating. Some color books are so torn and smeared with ink that the original color is barely visible. Do yourself and your customers a favor: Replace your color books regularly. The colors contained therein can fade over time due to sunlight exposure and just age.

“New” colors also sometimes are added. If a customer asks for a new color, having an updated color book will obviously help in identifying it.

Also — and this seems like a no-brainer — make sure the customer is using the same color book brand that you use. For example, Pantone does have coated and uncoated color books, and there are other branded standard color books available.

Viewing Light
An often-overlooked part of color communication is lighting. Colors look different in different lights, so when communicating about color, be sure to mention the light you are using. For example, if you are looking at your color book in daylight, but your customer is viewing it under fluorescent light, the color will look different.

Computer Screens
Different computer screens vary in resolution and color output. Hence, make sure you don’t match a color based on what it looks like on someone’s computer screen. Get a standard color book to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Inks
Translating color to inks also requires some considerations. For example, when matching a color using plastisol inks, remember that the finished print can either be glossy or matte, depending on the ink. However, when using a water-based ink, the finished print will usually be matte. Also, be aware that color can shift — albeit slightly — and look different from the original depending on the ink type used.

Substrate Color
Next, consider the color of the substrate being printed. When printing on a white shirt, the matched color may look pretty close to the original. But what about when it’s a darker or black shirt? Some adjustments may need to be made, or a white underbase may be needed, to ensure the printed color comes close to the original.

One important final point regarding color is the temperature factor: Some dyes may look different when they are heated or while they are still in a heated stage. For example, some red pigments will appear darker when heated, so look at the print after it has cooled to ensure it matches the original on the color chart.

Kieth Stevens is the Western regional sales manager for International Coatings. He has been teaching screen printing for more than 10 years and is a regular contributor to International Coatings’ blogs. For more information, visit iccink.com and read the company’s blog at internationalcoatingsblog.com.

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of Non-Phthalate and Non-PVC screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

Print Clean, Crisp Images

Want to achieve a clean, crisp image in screen printing? Here is a tip from Kieth Stevens, recently published in Printwear Magazine, on how to achieve this:

The width of the squeegee may make a huge difference.

First, consider the squeegee size in relation to the size of the image. Use a squeegee that not only covers the image entirely, but overlaps it by a good margin—at least an inch or so. If the squeegee is not wide enough, the edges of the image may come out blurred or smudged. This is due to the fact that most of the pressure exerted in printing is focused more toward the center of the print rather than the outer edges.

Similarly, if the image is too close to the edge of the screen, it is likely there will not be enough printing pressure on the edge or that the edge of the screen will not make good contact with the fabric.  Either way, the edges of the image will be smudged.

Make sure that the inside screen edge is far enough away from the design. Or, if that isn’t possible, decrease the off-contact. The delicate relationship between off-contact and the image distance from the edge of the screen frame plays a big role in achieving a clean, crisp image.

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of Non-Phthalate and Non-PVC screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

Thank You For Visiting Us At ISS Long Beach!

Diplay Wall at ISS Long Beach 2013

ISS Long Beach last weekend was a great success for us.  We would like to thank everyone who came by the booth!The response to our newly reformulated 7014 Legacy™ and 7031 Ultra™White was also very positive.  Everyone who printed with the inks in our booth loved the short body, coverage, and brightness of the inks.

For those who would like more info on the inks used on our print sample wall (at the back of the booth), here is a link to the list of products:

http://www.iccink.com/iss2013howto.htm

Once again, thank you for your participation at the show!

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of Non-Phthalate and Non-PVC screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

What are the different types of squeegees and which should I use for any given scenario?

Recently, Printwear published this mini article written by Kieth Stevens in response to an inquiry they received in their Q&A section:

What are the different types of squeegees and which should I use for any given scenario?

Asked by –     Printwear Reader

Here’s what to look for when choosing a squeegee for the printing job at hand:

Handles: When printing manually, choose one that fits your hand comfortably. There are many types from which to choose and include wood, plastic or metal. Some are ergonomically designed.

Blade shapes: There are three different types—square, round and V-shaped.

• Square (straight edge) blades are most often used by screen printers. They work well for standard or regular ink applications.
• Round (ball nose) squeegee blades deposit more ink. Use this type for special effects inks such as gel or puff.
• V-shaped (single- or double-bevel) blades are typically used for printing on irregular or cylindrical-shaped substrates.

Durometer: Denotes the hardness of the blades.

• A 50-60 durometer is soft blade that will deposit more ink. Choose this durometer for heavily-textured fabrics to lay down more ink (may help with fibrillation) or for use with special effects inks, such as gels and puffs.
• A 60-75 durometer designation ranks medium on the hardness scale. It is good for general printing.
• The hardest option is an 80 durometer blade. It will deposit less ink and is great for printing fine detail or four-color process prints.

Composite blades: This type of squeegee blade consists of a couple or several different blades of varying durometers sandwiched together, such as a 60/90 or a 70/90/70. The benefit to using this type is that the harder durometer gives the squeegee great support, yet has the softer edge for printing.

—Kieth Stevens, International Coating

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of Non-Phthalate and Non-PVC screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

Join Us At ISS Long Beach Jan 18-20

Come join us at the upcoming ISS Long Beach Show January 18-20, 2013..  We’ll be showcasing the most innovative textile screen printing inks and techniques.

 

International Coatings™ will be highlighting our new expanded Axeon™ line of Non-PVC, Non-Phthalate Specialty and Special Effects inks as well as our new 7100 Performance Pro™ Line, specifically formulated for todays’ demanding athletic and performance fabrics. Be sure to visit our booth #1913 to check out these next generation products. We will be holding live print demos throughout the day.

 

Register TODAY to get your free 2013 ISS Long Beach Show pass, courtesy of International Coatings™.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

 

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of Non-Phthalate and Non-PVC screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice

Get Cleaner Exposures

Here is a quick tip from Kieth Stevens on how to get cleaner exposures, which translates for the better images on the screen.  This quick tip was recently published in Printwear Magazine:

Using lower-wattage light bulbs to expose screens can result in images that aren’t crisp or in the emulsion washing out where it’s not supposed to. Instead of spending a lot of time touching up the screen with screen filler, try using dual cure emulsion.

Although the Diazo is the most forgiving of the various types of emulsions, it is also the slowest to expose. Dual cure hardens (cures) faster and can especially make a difference for those using a weak source of light for exposure.

Secondly, use a reliable, industry-supplied light source. Screen print equipment and materials manufacturers and distributors can guide you to the right choice for your setup.

—Kieth Stevens, International Coatings

International Coatings manufactures a complete line of Non-Phthalate and Non-PVC screen printing inks, including a wide variety of whites, specialty inks, special effects inks, color matching systems, additives and reducers.  For more information on our products, please visit our website at www.iccink.com.

    International Coatings:     The Intelligent Choice