Ink Mixing System: Union versus Wilflex

[kingscreen]

We mainly use Union inks already for plastisol so I lean in the direction. But I've also been looking at the Wilflex MX system.

[Frog]

Years ago, there were two reasons that I went with the Union Mixopake system.
1. it allowed pms matching for opaque colors that did not require an underbase (when I often used p/f/p. Still do when matching heat seal films on team orders that can't justify a second screen for UB)
2. it included formulas for standard Union colors when I ran out or needed one that I could then buy in the future.

To many, neither of these reasons are important. As I said, to me, they helped make the choice.

[blue moon]

We mainly use Union inks already for plastisol so I lean in the direction. But I've also been looking at the Wilflex MX system.

I can give you some feedback on Union's Unimatch if you need that info. . . 'have not tried Wilflex, so no comment there.
Union is OK, it has it's faults, but usable. Mixo does not work for us, we can't get close enough for what some of our customers are asking for. Unimatch works pretty good, but it needs an underbase. Yellows are a little too transparent, but otherwise we are happy with it.

what exactly are you looking for?

pierre

[tancehughes]

We bought the Wilflex system about 3 or 4 months ago and it's really good for us. No complaints so far other than its a little pricey

[kingscreen]

what exactly are you looking for?

pierre

Mainly we want to get away from "eyeballing it". Ease of the system is important. I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

[beanie357]

We use Wilflex pc.
Colors on the money.
Easy to use.
Works like the Wilflex bucket stuff, no production changes.
Would like to get to calibrating monitors / printers someday. But customers never do, so we would be all alone.
Bunch of Pantone charts around helps whole group be color aware.

[Frog]

We use Wilflex pc.
Colors on the money.
Easy to use.
Works like the Wilflex bucket stuff, no production changes.
Would like to get to calibrating monitors / printers someday. But customers never do, so we would be all alone.
Bunch of Pantone charts around helps whole group be color aware.

Pigment concentrate systems have one glaring weak point for some of us: the amounts of some colors components in some formulas is ridiculously tiny and difficult to measure accutrately if not mixing significant amounts.
Perhaps the OP is aware of that and does plan on small amounts and hence specified MX as the Wilflex candidate.

[Frog]

Availability of the pigments in anything but an almost lifetime supply for some is another potential stumbling block. (I do understand that they are considering quarts)

[tancehughes]

To me it definitely sounds like the Wilflex mx system would be perfect for you. Pigments would probably be too much. We use our mx system daily and it's really paying off big time for us

what exactly are you looking for?

pierre

Mainly we want to get away from "eyeballing it". Ease of the system is important. I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

[Frog]

Just a note on "eyeballing', since it's been brought up.

In and of itself, with the right eyes, the right inks, and the right goals, mixing without a formula can often work, but to achieve the all important repeatability, document component weights as you use 'em.

[blue moon]

I would imagine just about any system will get you close. How close will depend on what your customers are expecting.

Almost all of the colors print darker on the white shirt then they do on the underbase. For some colors we have a "on white" and "on underbase" mix. Obviously, the books only give you one color, so in the end you still might have to eyeball it and make adjustments to the formulas.

As Andy said, Mixo will give you opaque colors, but it makes it hard to hit some lighter shades. Unimatch is vibrant and will let you make just about any color you want, but it will need an underbase if you are color matching (even on light color garments. This is the case with any translucent mixing system, not just the Union's version).

what are you using now?

pierre

[kingscreen]

We rarely just p/f/p colors on darks. If it needs an underbase, we use one. My main concern is finding an easy and quick system for mixing small batches (quarts) as needed. Currently we have some of the Mixopake colors but not the system in it's entirety.

[Gilligan]

I thought the purpose for the "-opake" system was to reduce the need for an underbase?

I know we bought some hot pink in maxopake because it was recommended and that no one buys that color in ultra soft because of it's opacity.  We do underbase it, but can ALMOST get away without it.

[Frog]

I thought the purpose for the "-opake" system was to reduce the need for an underbase?

I know we bought some hot pink in maxopake because it was recommended and that no one buys that color in ultra soft because of it's opacity.  We do underbase it, but can ALMOST get away without it.

Not too long ago, shops generally had and used plenty of 110's, and often print-flash-printed most opaque inks without underbasing, especially on smaller runs.(Though even then, it was known that underbasing produced brighter colors)
Now, the trend is towards thinner prints, and some translucent colors just don't cut it over bases.

[screenprintguy]

We have had the Wilflex Epic MX system now for almost a year and love it. I will say this though, unlike Union Maxopaque systems, you will have to count on under basing your colors. Obviously there are some mixes that use a high enough amount of base and other component colors that may have a really good opacity on a dark shirt, but for the most part you can't pull off the PFP that Union Maxopaque inks are known for.