UNION ULTRASOFT PLASTISOL INK
Transfer and Direct Print Plastisol
APPLICATION
- WET-ON-WET DIRECT PRINTING
- LIGHT AND MEDIUM COLORED SHIRTS
- COLD-PEEL HEAT TRANSFERS
- HOT-PEEL HEAT TRANSFERS
- NYLON JACKETS (with Nylobond additive)
- PUFF PRINTING (with Plastipuff additive)
FEATURES
- PRINTS HAVE SOFT HAND
- SMOOTH AND CREAMY - EASY TO PRINT
- 56 STANDARD COLORS
- READY TO USE
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Highly versatile Lead Free type Plastisol Inks formulated for heat transfer and wet-on-wet direct printing with good opacity for medium colored cotton and cotton/polyester garments. Direct prints have a softer finish than all other UNION INK Plastisols except PLUM Series. PLUS Inks can be used to produce either Ultra-Soft or regular heat transfers, depending upon transfer methods used (see below).
Plus Series inks have become the workhorse of the industry. They have been specially formulated to work in a variety of applications, enabling the printer to maintain a reduced inventory of specialty inks. PLUS Series is really a FOUR-IN-ONE ink that works for DIRECT SCREEN PRINTING, AS AN EXCELLENT HEAT TRANSFER INK (both Hot-Peel and Cold-Peel), ON NYLON JACKETS (with the addition of Nylobond Bonding Agent) AND AS A PUFF INK (with Plastipuff additive).
DIRECT PRINTING:
PLUS inks are smooth and creamy and easy to use. They can be direct printed wet-on-wet without curing between colors. Because they are less "stringy" than most plastisol inks, build-up on the bottom of the screens is reduced. If flash-curing between colors is necessary, PLUS inks help maintain high production speeds because they can be flashed quickly. In most cases PLUS series inks can be printed with ONE HIT allowing increased production with less fatigue. PLUS inks should generally be used on light or medium colored shirts. For best results when printing on dark shirts use Maxopake PADM Series.
CURING OF DIRECT PRINTS:
Plus Series plastisol inks WILL NOT AIR DRY. They must be heat cured. PLUS Series inks will fully cure and withstand repeated washings when the entire ink deposit reaches 300 F (149 C). Curing can be accomplished with the use of a conveyer dryer, flash curing unit or simple infrared heater.
Important Note on Curing: Proper curing is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Poor washability of the print can generally be traced back to under-curing of a direct print or over-curing of a heat transfer. For more specific information on plastisol inks, curing, and drying techniques refer to Union Ink's Plastisol General Information Sheet.
HEAT TRANSFER PRINTING:
Heat transfer printing allows reduced inventory of pre-printed garments. PLUS Inks are the ORIGINAL "hot-peel" heat transfer ink and can also be applied with a "cold-peel" method. They can be printed on heat transfer release paper and then applied to shirts, baseball caps, and other textiles with a heat transfer press. (Caution: Do not use the Metallic colors for heat transfers.)
Ultrasoft transfers can be applied with the "hot-peel" method where the transfer paper is peeled off the hot transfer IMMEDIATELY after the transfer is applied. When the paper is peeled hot, a portion of the ink remains on the paper and the rest stays on the shirts. Hot-Peel transfers FEEL JUST LIKE A DIRECT SCREEN PRINT when made and applied correctly. Heat transfers made with PLUS can also be applied as a "cold-peel" where the transfer paper is allowed to cool down completely after application and before removing. This gives a standard rubbery feel to the print that is commonly found in sports applications.
CURING OF HEAT TRANSFERS:
Prints on heat transfer paper (Trans-Lith, Trans-French and Trans-55) should only be semi-cured. Over-cure may cause problems later on during transfer (more energy is needed to remelt a cured film than a semi- cured film). Semi-curing or drying the film only to the extent that the sheets can be handled, stacked, cut and shipped is the desired condition. The ink will semi-cure when the ink deposit reaches 250°F (121°C).
TRANSFER TIME AND TEMPERATURE:
REGULAR TRANSFERS: Transfer at 350°F (177°C) for 20 seconds or 400 F (204 C) for 5 seconds at 40-50 p.s.i. Allow transfer to cool completely (10-30 seconds) before stripping off the paper. HOT-PEEL ULTRA SOFT TRANSFERS: Transfer at 375 F (190 C) for 10-20 seconds, or 400 F (204 C) for 5 seconds, at 40-50 p.s.i. Quickly strip the release paper IMMEDIATELY after raising the transfer press platen while the shirt remains in the press.
REDUCERS:
PLUS Plastisols are supplied Ready-For-Use. If necessary, reduce with small amounts of PLUS-9000 Reducer/Detackifier. Reduction with Mineral Spirits should not be done. Always stir well to break down false body and determine the actual working viscosity prior to adding reducer! If using PLUS for Hot-Peel Transfers the ink should be used straight from the can.
SCREEN FABRIC:
Monofilament 86T-305T (34-120 metric) may be used. Meshes over 180T (71 metric) will produce very soft direct prints, but will diminish opacity on colored garments. For best results with the Firebrite colors do not print them through meshes over 160T. For Ultra-Soft hot-peel Transfers, use 83-110T (34-43 metric). Because the ink film splits on hot-peel transfers, the ink film should be printed thicker than for a direct print.
STENCILS:
TEXSOURCE Tex-Red or Tex-Blue emulsion is recommended.
WASH-UP:
STORAGE:
Store plastisols at room temperature. Prolonged exposure to high temperature can cause the curing process to begin while the ink is still in the container.
WASHABILITY:
Excellent. Dry cleaning is not recommended. Do not iron imprinted part of garments.
CAUTION:
Always pre-test for adhesion, crocking, opacity, washability and specific requirements. Wash metallic colors in cold water and mild soap to preserve brilliance. They are offered solely for your consideration, investigation, and verification. Pretest inks on surfaces to be printed.
ALWAYS TEST BEFORE USING IN PRODUCTION
While Union Ink Company believes that the data contained herein are factual and the opinions expressed are those of qualified experts regarding the results of the tests conducted, the data are not to be taken as a warranty or representation for which Union Ink Company assumes legal responsibility.
