14The ink room · Fourteen applications
Every ink
we run.
Plastisol through water based discharge, high density and foil. If it can be pushed through a screen, it runs on this floor, in Phoenix, on contract and full package programs shipped nationwide.
- Ink applications
- 14
- Colors, one pass
- 18
- Mesh
- 230
- Flash temp
- 320°F
01The ink room
Fourteen inks,
at macro scale.
Plastisol carries most of this floor. The specialty inks are what a garment is remembered for: raised, soft, reflective, metallic or photoreal, all run on the same automatic presses and cured in the same tunnel.
PlastisolOpaque, durable, the workhorse that carries most of this floor01
Water basedSoft hand, sinks into the fabric02
DischargeDye removed, not covered03
Simulated processUp to 18 colors, photoreal04
High densityRaised, sharp edged ink05
PuffExpands under heat06
Foil & metallicMirror finish over adhesive07
Glitter & shimmerLight in the ink film08
ReflectiveFlash returns the light09
GelClear, raised, glass slick10
SuedeMatte nap, soft touch11
CrackleSplits as it cures12
Vintage soft handWorn in from the first wash13
Glow in the darkCharges in light, prints at night14
02Three techniques, in depth
Pick the ink
for the garment.
Every ink has a job. Three families cover most programs; each has its own page with when to use it, what it needs from the art, and the questions buyers ask.
- Water based & discharge
- Soft hand prints that sink into the fabric instead of sitting on it. Discharge removes the garment dye and replaces it with yours. Soft hand printing
- Simulated process
- Photoreal art on dark and light garments from halftone separations, up to 18 colors in one pass, separated in house. Photoreal printing
- Specialty inks
- Puff, high density, foil and metallic, glitter, reflective, gel, suede, crackle and glow in the dark: the raised, textured and lit effects. Specialty effects
03The specification
The press,
in writing.
Specialty ink only looks special when the press underneath it holds. These are the numbers every run is printed to.
| Colors, one pass | 18 | Including simulated process. Most programs land well under that. |
|---|---|---|
| Max print area | 20 x 28 in | Placement is confirmed against your garment before anything burns to screen. |
| Registration | ±0.5 mm | Automatic press, tunnel cured, wash tested. |
| Mesh · emulsion | 230 · 25µ | Squeegee 70A. Flash temp 320°F. |
| Inks | Compliant | Lead free and phthalate free. Compliance documentation is supplied with the program on request. |
| Before production | Sample | A high resolution digital proof, a written print spec and an approved sample before the run starts. |
04Questions
Inks and art,
answered.
What buyers ask before a specialty run, answered straight.
- 14.
Which ink systems do you run?
Plastisol, water based and discharge, plus simulated process, high density, puff, foil and metallic, glitter and shimmer, reflective, gel, suede, crackle, vintage soft hand and glow in the dark.
- Yes.
Can you print photoreal art?
Simulated process runs up to 18 colors in one pass, and we build the separations here.
- Yes.
Are your inks lead and phthalate compliant?
Every ink we run is lead free and phthalate free, and compliance documentation is supplied with the program on request.
- Yes.
Can you separate my artwork?
Art is separated and output in house. Send layered files where you have them and we will work from your originals.
- Yes.
Can specialty inks run in the same design as standard ones?
A design can carry plastisol, water based and specialty screens together; the written print spec calls out each one, and the approved sample proves it before the run.
- Yes.
Will you sample before the run?
You get a high resolution digital proof and a written print spec, and an approved sample before production starts.
Talk it through sales@halftonetextilemfg.com
Quote a specialty run