Tonal Discharge technique

[srabadan]

Have seen this a few times at trade shows. I would like to try it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/trncre9sf6upoir/discharge.png?dl=0

White discharge paste is mixed with varying percentages (2, 4, and 6) of activator achieving 3 distinct tones to render the art. My question is how to handle the sep/screens. Normally I would do a simulated process but I am concerned about small dots drying in the screen and how any layering would affect a discharge print like this. What about an index separation at a lower (150 - 200dpi) resolution?

Does anyone print photographic work with discharge? any tips? I am planning to make a greyscale file with 4 screens (white, 2 greys and a black) dropping out the black.

Here is my art.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/30rc3u5tq4vfaaf/target_art.png?dl=0

Thanks everybody.

[Underbase37]

You will need to just do some testing, results may vary. That example looks to be white and grey, or white and base.

Your design looks to be what you are saying, white and two greys.

Try 2-3% on the darker grey. The darker the grey the less activator you should need.



Murphy

[srabadan]

Any insights on how to handle the screens though?

I have read that discharge can work better with an index sep where all the 'dots' are the same size.

[Colin]

Add in an ink retarder made for your discharge inks.  You want as little evaporation/drying in your screen as possible.

Make sure your screen ink is moving/printing as often as possible to also prevent drying in.

Your results will vary on your current ambient temperature and humidity combined with your inks.

I.e. you need to practice/test/practice/test as much as possible.

That design you linked looked like maybe SerJ had printed it?  It has the Magna inks byline...  Does anyone else recognize it? 

[Orion]

SERJ did do that...

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,73.msg152105.html#msg152105

He did not disclose print specs on this one, although I do suspect three whites with varying degrees of opacity all the same amount of activator added, just my guess though.

[srabadan]

I asked the folks at the Magna booth about it, they told me it was the activator creating the tones. It could have been incorrect.

I will try and get that confirmed, I have seen this done from them before.

Thanks everyone!

[tonypep]

One screen tonal DC flo orange. No retarders etc

[dirkdiggler]

1 screen

[Underbase37]

I don't disagree that this could be done in one color with one screen.

For the file in question.
If it's in the budget I still think the the addition of greys or other plates with varying white opacity gives more dimension.

Channels or index should work fine, more of by job decision.

On this one I would probably go channels....flip a coin. I could see it working good with either.

Murphy

[srabadan]

Will be working on this with our sample printers in China. I think it might be worth it to sep it both ways and see which prints and looks better.

Thanks for all the help everyone!