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screen printing => Waterbase and Discharge => Topic started by: T Shirt Farmer on December 06, 2012, 11:53:14 AM

Title: DC Activator
Post by: T Shirt Farmer on December 06, 2012, 11:53:14 AM
I am curious to why and what effect of varying  the amount of activator in your DC recipes. The prints I have made so I far I have used the standard 6% activator.

Thanks for your reply's,
Robert
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: tonypep on December 06, 2012, 12:25:06 PM
Simple. The less activator the deeper the shade. Try activating 186 red with 1%, 3%, and then the 6%.
You should see obvious differences. Dark colors usually use around 2% . 6% will blow them out making them look dusty. This is something Wilflex didn't understand when they were just picking up the Oasis line and had problems color matcing. Your results may vary and may depend on variables such as the garment dye but I have found this to be true across the board with all DC systems.
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: 3Deep on December 06, 2012, 02:03:35 PM
Good topic, I had the same question about using to much activator, so Tony your saying using to much washes out the color you want , for example to much activtor will make a white DC grayest looking.

Darryl
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: tonypep on December 06, 2012, 02:25:35 PM
Hi Darryl. Not to be a smart ass but white is not technically a color :D Anyway too much activator has little affect on white other than it will shorten the shelf life. Lighter tints of color require maximum activator and less pigment. Darker hues less activator and maximum pigment.
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: Screened Gear on December 06, 2012, 03:20:19 PM
Hi Darryl. Not to be a smart ass but white is not technically a color :D Anyway too much activator has little affect on white other than it will shorten the shelf life. Lighter tints of color require maximum activator and less pigment. Darker hues less activator and maximum pigment.

Thank you for this post.
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: Itsa Little CrOoked on December 06, 2012, 11:07:55 PM
Hi Darryl. Not to be a smart ass but white is not technically a color :D Anyway too much activator has little affect on white other than it will shorten the shelf life. Lighter tints of color require maximum activator and less pigment. Darker hues less activator and maximum pigment.


Sheesh Tony, I didn't know that. Glad I caught this post.

You are a little like the old E.F. Hutton advertisement I remember from years ago. "When Tony talks, people listen...."  Thank you!

Stan
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: jasonl on December 07, 2012, 08:37:10 AM
Hi Darryl. Not to be a smart ass but white is not technically a color :D Anyway too much activator has little affect on white other than it will shorten the shelf life. Lighter tints of color require maximum activator and less pigment. Darker hues less activator and maximum pigment.


Sheesh Tony, I didn't know that. Glad I caught this post.

You are a little like the old E.F. Hutton advertisement I remember from years ago. "When Tony talks, people listen...."  Thank you!

Stan


Jedi Master!
Title: Re: DC Activator
Post by: Printhouse on December 07, 2012, 11:17:06 AM
That's what this forum is so good for...  mixing industry pros with newer printers.  I cannot wait to try some different ratios later this afternoon.