Matte finish

[avogel]

We are printing Pantone 5425 (plastisol) on a Navy shirt. The print has a glossy look to it. I have a small sample that was sent to me to match. It has a very matte finish. I am wondering if the sample is waterbase. I used standard inks (wilflex) to mix the color. We don't have a mixing system. Anything we can do to knock down the gloss? We are printing Quick White base, flash, smoothing screen, 5425 top color.

[Ross_S]

if you have some puff additive you can use 2% or something around that as a DULLING paste.  It won't puff up because there isn't much in it but it will take some of the gloss away.

[Frog]

if you have some puff additive you can use 2% or something around that as a DULLING paste.  It won't puff up because there isn't much in it but it will take some of the gloss away.

But then double check your color match as puff, suede, or dulling additives can lighten the ink a bit.
Another thing, excess heat in the dryer also exacerbates this problem.
Also, is the sample that was sent to you also on navy fabric? Print-flash-print or going over an underbase can also increase glossiness.

[Dottonedan]

If you want to not use puff or can't, I'd think you might try using a higher mesh on the base... Then I'd roll it after flash if you have that....and a higher mesh on the top color. This should allow for more airiness to the print, helping to matte the color...and leave less of a sheen plastic look. Just my approach if it were that required by the customer.

[bimmridder]

Is it worth asking if the sample was a mixed ink using UNcoated formula?

[avogel]

I tried to get more specs about the sample from my contact. She doesn't have any idea how they were produced, not even sure they were produced in the states. This is a large retailer that has 6 colorways for this logo. They run about 4000 per month of each color. They sent me 3x3 sample pieces of the partial print and said to match. I don't have any problem matching the color, just the dull matte look. These samples are soft and very opaque. It looks like layered waterbase to me. If I go to a higher mesh the print isn't opaque enough on the Navy blend shirt. I will see if I have some puff around.

[Frog]

I tried to get more specs about the sample from my contact. She doesn't have any idea how they were produced, not even sure they were produced in the states. This is a large retailer that has 6 colorways for this logo. They run about 4000 per month of each color. They sent me 3x3 sample pieces of the partial print and said to match. I don't have any problem matching the color, just the dull matte look. These samples are soft and very opaque. It looks like layered waterbase to me. If I go to a higher mesh the print isn't opaque enough on the Navy blend shirt. I will see if I have some puff around.

Otherwise, the ink companies offer a dulling paste. I use International Coatings 222 Dulling/Suede (amount used changes the effect. 2% for reducing gloss, 10-15% for suede effect)

[farmboygraphics]

Adjust your underbase. Either halftone it or if you leave it solid, don't print it so heavy (bright).

[RICK STEFANICK]

Another quick fix may be to remix your color using quick white in the formula as it is a matte white. That will help tremendously.