Author Topic: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats  (Read 4085 times)

Offline DannyGruninger

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Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« on: August 25, 2014, 10:48:36 AM »
I have a client that wants me to print a couple thousand yoga mats with glow in the dark style ink(they do yoga at night outside) and was curious if anyone as any suggestions? I know in the past we have used special inks for yoga mats since they are highly used/abused/rolled up so I know std plastisol wont do the trick.


Let me know if anyone has any suggestions

Thanks
Danny Gruninger
Denver Print House / Lakewood Colorado
https://www.instagram.com/denverprinthouse


Offline tonypep

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2014, 10:51:41 AM »
An FYI glow in the dark inks don't have much staying power. They will fade to nothing after a full charge in just a few minutes

Offline Colin

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2014, 10:55:21 AM »
There are a number of glow powders on the market that have a super long charge.  They are also much more expensive.  The only supplier I know of off the top of my head is Glowzone.

Not knowing what ink carrier you are going to use - plastisol/waterbase/solvent base/etc...   I would talk to your manufacturer and see what they have tested and recommend.

Best of luck!
Been in the industry since 1996.  5+ years with QCM Inks.  Been a part of shops of all sizes and abilities both as a printer and as an Artist/separator.  I am now the Ink and Chemical Product Manager at Ryonet.

Offline jvanick

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2014, 10:55:47 AM »
experienced this ourselves...

we did 2 layers (pfpf) of white underbase to give it a REALLY bright reflective underlayer..

and then did a pfp of the the glow in the dark, and even after putting the shirts in the sun for like 15 minutes, it maybe lasted 5-7 minutes in the dark..

kinda bummed out because it was a cool idea.

Offline cleveprint

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2014, 11:02:18 AM »
a little off subject, but what inks do you use to print on yoga mats. (not glow in the dark). we do a lot for yoga studios, id love to be able to sell/print some other stuff for them.

Offline ericheartsu

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2014, 11:07:41 AM »
a little off subject, but what inks do you use to print on yoga mats. (not glow in the dark). we do a lot for yoga studios, id love to be able to sell/print some other stuff for them.

this is something we are trying to figure out too. We actually had pretty good luck with a p/f/p with the Xenon Mustang white.

Allure Glow is another company that makes glow in the dark powders as well
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Offline mk162

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2014, 11:10:47 AM »
Ask subway, they use the same chemicals in yoga mats in their bread. ;)  try mayo.

I would check with Nazdar for a good base.  I am sure they have something that will work.


Offline Frog

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2014, 11:25:49 AM »
Doesn't help you with this particular print job, but for all other Yogis-in-the-dark, I have two words for you: fiber optics

Here's the new field to explore, adapt this technology to yoga mats. They have fabric already.
http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Fiber_Optic_Fabric.htm
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Offline Inkworks

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2014, 12:36:30 PM »
http://www.umccorp.com/luminova.htm

By far the best powdered glow-in-the-dark pigment I've used, easily many hours of residual glow.
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Offline jvanick

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2014, 01:27:56 PM »
was just reading about that pigment powder.. would you just mix that into standard (say white?) plastisol?  or would you end up mixing it into some clear base?


Of topic: they recommend that it be 'lit' with sub 350nm light.. I wonder what happens with these products under all the LED lights that are coming out today... betting things won't glow as much.

Offline Inkworks

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2014, 02:02:36 PM »
I would suggest mixing it into clear and printing on a white base if possible.
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Offline Frog

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2014, 04:05:45 PM »
Another thought on these. Hopefully they start in bright sunlight, and then there's an eclipse.

Otherwise, if stored and transported to the final location rolled up for a nighttime session, this ink won't get charged.
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Offline mk162

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2014, 04:19:43 PM »
you know they might do this under blacklights as well...which makes phosphorescents POP.

Offline DannyGruninger

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #13 on: August 25, 2014, 04:23:21 PM »
Thanks everyone for the help..... So after talking with my client they are thinking ink that can change under black light would be a better option. Anyone care to help me with locating the correct ink for this?

Do you need to print on a base or can you print without a base?


Danny Gruninger
Denver Print House / Lakewood Colorado
https://www.instagram.com/denverprinthouse

Offline mk162

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Re: Glow in the Dark - Yoga Mats
« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2014, 05:02:17 PM »
nazdar...but glow in the dark inks glow under a blacklight as well usually.