Author Topic: Jellied ink?  (Read 1405 times)

Offline IntegrityShirts

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Jellied ink?
« on: October 04, 2013, 08:26:19 AM »
Has happened a couple times and might be narrowed down to my black pigment, but why does some waterbased ink "go jelly"? I don't get it, adding water only slightly helps but it is still a light jelly consistency. Still prints fine other than it sometimes won't lay on the screen during a flood stroke, it actually sticks to the squeegee and climbs a bit.


Offline Colin

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Re: Jellied ink?
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2013, 08:45:24 AM »
It has gone out of "PH Balance".  I unfortunately do not remember which way it has to go to turn "jelly like", obviously either more basic or more acidic.  What you need to do is bring it back inline with it's desired PH, I want to say you need to add something acidic, but my memory is fuzzy. 

Call your ink company and let them know.  Typically, your distributor will have little to no knowledge of what to do.

FYI, this should only happen to standard waterbase inks.  It has to do with the thickening agent used.  The thickening agent used in discharge is different.

Let us know what the outcome is!
Been in the industry since 1996.  5+ years with QCM Inks.  Been a part of shops of all sizes and abilities both as a printer and as an Artist/separator.  I am now the Ink and Chemical Product Manager at Ryonet.

Offline noortrd

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Re: Jellied ink?
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2013, 02:33:24 PM »
add little emulsifier . Alcoprint pdn