Spandex/Nylon ink suggestion

[tancehughes]

What does everyone here prefer to use on products that may have around 5% spandex or nylon in them? I've got a few ideas but wanted to see if anyone around had any suggestions before I proceed with this. Thanks!

[brandon]

For us it depends on the design and also the color of the garment. And of course the client's needs. What kind of action do you have you going on? Small white print on black, or say a huge jumbo print on white?

[Frog]

The two are not usually lumped together like that unless, it is a nylon/spandex blend.(which I've never seen)
Spandex is usually added about 5% to cotton, or i guess polyester.
If so, your ink needs to stretch so you need an additive or an ink that contains the additive already.

Nylon like used in jerseys, shouldn't need anything. The Nylobond type additives are pretty much designed for adhesion to the waterproofed type nylons like umbrellas, some totes, jackets, rip stop tents, etc.
That said, some folks, even someone here, do use it on shiny dazzle type fabrics, though the ink company folks I have talked to for more than 20 years say it should not be necessary.

I've also seen folks use the Nylobond catalyst just as an aid to curing when they are scared of the usual temps, but low temp cure additive is probably the better choice there as well.

What are you looking at?

[tancehughes]

I am not sure of image size. I realize they don't go together normally I was meaning what do you use for each? Have a customer wanting some garments with spandex and possibly some with nylon.

[blue moon]

for spandex I would guess stretch additive or silicone ink. Would make that decision once the garment is in hand.

For nylon, as Frog mentioned, plain plastisol usually works fine. If it's shiny and coated (waterproof), add nylonbond.

This is one of the "what if's" I don't have an answer to at 7am on sunday morning. The ink choice would probably be made when the fabrics are in house. If it's anything out of the ordinary, I tell the customers to get us a sample and we'll check it out. Even then, we have had to resort to pressing transfers when the material was not what we thought it was!

pierre

[tonypep]

HD Clear= stretch additive. 10% usually does the trick.

[Socalfmf]

the new silicone ink is really nice...I know we did testing last week and now have it in our ink line up

sam