help on discharge inks

[3Deep]

Ok i,m at the stage where I,m ready to do discharge printing, checked union inks site not much info, so I,m coming where I know I,ll get some real help.
I,m using unions plasticharge additive, now I read where it says to mix half and half.  Now hwta has me is they say to add 6% of the ZFS agent, how do I get to the 6% ZFS if I only want to make a qt of ink.  I guess I,m asking how do I measure or weight to get the ZFS mix right, I get the half and half of the ink and additive.

Darryl

[JBLUE]

Weigh the amount of ink that you plan to use and multiply that amount by .06. So if  you want to make 800 grams of ink it would be 800 x .06= 48 grams of additive.

[3Deep]

Looks like I,m not ready then, my scale is to small so I'll have to get sometime bigger...I was thinking I could use my old pad printing weigh scales, but the volume of ink is to much for it.  Thanks

D

[mk162]

get a $40 scale from bed bath and beyond.  It doesn't have to be super accurate for discharge.

[RICK STEFANICK]

Darryl, remember on yellows and reds union recommends 30-35 percent color.. also, you will get the best results using the PADM series inks with the plasticharge base. also i never use over 5% powder..

[mk162]

Hmm, for yellows and reds you can use 60% high opacity colors 40% base and then measure 4% of discharge powder

[RICK STEFANICK]

no ... 70 percent base and 30 percent color with 5% powder BY WEIGHT!.. using maxopakes.

[screenxpress]

I've only used Union discharge a couple of times, but will post what the sales rep from Union gave me -

Mesh between 156 and 180 - too low of a mesh will be too much ink content and will not let the oxidizing process complete properly leaving the print muted and not bright.

The Activator powder is the bleaching (oxidizing) agent.  Suggested activator is 6% to 8% with 8% as the maximum.

Suggested dryer time is 90 seconds and the print should reach 320 for at least 75 seconds.  Do not get the print temperature too hot at the exit point.

Multicolor discharge can be printed wet on wet, but some flashing may be required (possibly with more than 2 colors).

Excess pressure is not needed.  The inside of the shirt should/should not show the oxidizing effect all the way through as if too much mix gets through the front fibers, it's possible to double print on the back in the dryer.  The image should not bleed all the way through to the inside.

-Plasticharge (white or base clear)
___________________________________
- White - White is white but to make less opaque, try 186 mesh or add discharge clear base to base down the White opacity for a lighter print.
- Clear can be mixed with Mixopake or Maxopake products, not Ultrasoft.  Ultrasoft is not a discharge ink.
- For the mixing with Maxopake or Mixopake with clear base, the normal ratio is 50/50 (+ activator).  The best Red is Maxopake Flag Red.  Mixing a White would be the Maxopake PADM 1030 (1001 will work and is slightly less opaque-test-test).  Since the normal mix is 50/50, to get a less opaque print, decrease the ink percent increasing the CLear base percent.  It's possible to go all the way down to 10% ink and 90% discharge clear base. 

[Evo]

get a $40 scale from bed bath and beyond.  It doesn't have to be super accurate for discharge.

Or spend about $20 more and get a nice scale from a head shop. Yes, the kind you weigh pot and cocaine on.

A well built scale with .1 gram accuracy for $60? Yes please.


Just don't use it for discharge activator AND cocaine. Buy separate scales for that. Accidentally mixing the two would be a really bad idea.

[mk162]

Well, those numbers work as well, according to the Rutland rep that held a discharge seminar here.

[3Deep]

Well thanks for all the advice and answers to my questions, but one rings out to me on ink, my rep tells me you can mix any brand ink with the plasticharge I bought even the ultrasoft from union.  I see i,m just going to have to dive in and see what works and what won't at this point  I,m going to buy a scale, but won't be weighing coke LOL.  Evo what you know about that stuff anyways LOL.

Darryl

[Frog]

Any brand is one thing, but Ultrasoft, being quite translucent to start with, will not impart as much color to the mix as an opaque ink will. Even with the opaque inks, my results required quite a bit of fudging color formulas. Hybrid discharge color mixes can be lot more pastel.
Be prepared to be frustrated if you expect good color matches. For that, I think you want to look into running a discharge base, and the true color on top.

[tonypep]

Or dive right in with PC/Base but don't bother without a good scale. This will yield stronger vibrant colors and an even improved hand. Whomever told you about "any brand" is misinformed. "Most" would be a better choice of words. Certain Maxopaques contain a high amount of fillers that will not combine with the aqueous solution. Some work some do not. If you wind up with a cheesy mixture thats a fail.

[mk162]

mmmmm.....cheese.

[RICK STEFANICK]

tony , I agree about the opaque inks. but unions maxopakes are really good when used with their plasticharge base.