Author Topic: Liquid silver  (Read 1833 times)

Offline Croft

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Liquid silver
« on: January 27, 2017, 11:57:24 AM »
Hi does anyone have exp. with wilflex's epic liquid silver.

I need to print some 100% poly UA gear with a small logo and am wondering if it is holding up better than the old liquid silvers that use to go dull grey fast. It says on the info sheet cotton and cotton blends.

Or do you have any other inks you use?


Offline Frog

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2017, 01:12:31 PM »
To prevent tarnishing, the reason for the eventual dulling, with any true metallic, a clear overcoat is typically used.
One of the things that drove me to the alternative of shimmers years ago.
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Offline ttwo0603

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2017, 09:43:12 AM »
What type of clear over coat do you use?
Timm Towers
Production/Print Manager
ttowers@atriumco.com

Offline Frog

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2017, 10:18:05 AM »
Well, I don't, as I have discontinued my use of true metallics years ago in favor of shimmers, for a few reasons, including this.
But I would use any clear base. Back in the day, the clear was from Union, and was the same base we used to actually mix the metallic inks with metal powders.
Today, I would probably use whatever soft hand base I had around. Wilflex does not specify any specific clear in their instructions.
They also suggest it more to reduce abrasion, another issue with true metallic inks.
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Offline mimosatexas

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2017, 11:32:21 AM »
I print the epic liquid gold pretty frequently. Fantastic ink. I haven't done a clear coat on top or had anyone complain about dulling or tarnishing of any kind. I don't wear any shirts with that ink though, so my own wash and wear testing is limited to the 5 times I usually do as a test with new inks.

Offline Frog

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2017, 12:06:25 PM »
I print the epic liquid gold pretty frequently. Fantastic ink. I haven't done a clear coat on top or had anyone complain about dulling or tarnishing of any kind. I don't wear any shirts with that ink though, so my own wash and wear testing is limited to the 5 times I usually do as a test with new inks.

Well, perhaps your customers already know even without care instructions included, the manufacturer's laundry instructions to "Hand wash garments in cold water with a non-phosphate soap, such as Woolite. Avoid using a tumble dryer. Hang or air dry garments to avoid surface abrasion"
I was not as lucky, LOL!
I know that if, in the future, anyone insisted on these inks, I would include the care instructions as I do with transfers.
I also know that except for the end users of expensive bling, most folks are not going follow these instructions on a damn T shirt. My last client who wanted this ink was a roofing company.
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline Get Shirts

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2017, 12:01:55 PM »
I print the epic liquid gold pretty frequently. Fantastic ink. I haven't done a clear coat on top or had anyone complain about dulling or tarnishing of any kind. I don't wear any shirts with that ink though, so my own wash and wear testing is limited to the 5 times I usually do as a test with new inks.

Is the Epic Liquid Gold similar to a Gold Foil when printed?  We have an ink that is an awesome representation of Silver Foil, but we have yet to find a Gold equivalent that is not some version of Metallic Gold.

Do you have any images of the printed Epic Liquid Gold you could share with me?

Offline mimosatexas

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2017, 01:43:19 PM »
I would not say it is that similar to gold foil, but it is the closest ink I could find (and I spent a while looking).

Offline tonypep

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Re: Liquid silver
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2017, 02:51:59 PM »
Try clear transfer overlay