White ink/Black ink questions

[Shanarchy]

I use Miami Superior white. I like it. It's a cotton only white. 80% of what I print is 100% cotton. And it's cheap.

I was stocking QCM XOLB 158 for 50/50's and a poly white for 100% poly and heavy bleeders.

I ran the QCM out and have been using Miami Poly white on anything that has poly in it. I don't like it.

Ideally I'd like to stock 2 inks, one for cotton and one for poly and poly blends. Is there a poly white that is prints real nice? I like the idea of using poly ink on anything that would have the chance of bleeding. I've seen black 50/50 tees with white ink take on a gray tint. I'm sure my dryer was too hot, but the idea of eliminating any concerns is very nice to me. Anyone else doing something like this? Poly white ink suggestions?

Black ink. I'm finally getting to the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket of QCM XOLB black. I'm honestly not sure why you would need a low bleed black, but I don't like printing with it. I mix it with soft hand clear and still have to double stroke. Anyone have a particular black ink they like?

[mimosatexas]

I hope Alan chimes in here. I know he has tested damned near all of the options and has settled on a good one(s).

[Prosperi-Tees]

For poly I have tried Triangle, International Coatings and Rutland and honestly they all sucked. Got a sample of Wilflex Top Score and love the way it prints. The only concern I would have is fiber matte down using it on anything other than 100% poly.

[mimosatexas]

You should look into the one stroke inks.  The samples I have tested are pretty impressive honestly, though some aren't exactly cheap

[sqslabs]

We're currently using One Stroke Production White for 50/50 (thanks to Alan for the recommendation), and really like it.  It's expensive, but it works well, prints great, cures at a low temp and as a side effect, relieves stress. 

[dirkdiggler]

Legacy White for 50/50 and 100% and the price is right!  Wilflex Performance white for Polys.  Wilflex Matte Black.

[Binkspot]

IC Legacy white, Wilflex Top Score for Poly and Wilflex Print Black

[Printficient]

Xenon has a great black.  MK162 uses it.  $175 a fiver.

[tonypep]

Rutland White Plus. We mix our own black. Well, you asked!

[Homer]

for what it's worth, from the 30-40 different whites we tested, it comes down to working temp of the ink more than the ink/brand. pick one you can get from your supplier, who cares what the price is. learn how to print with it and at what temp it likes to be at. in this day and age, I don't think any manufacturer makes a "sh*tty" ink, you just have to learn how to use it...my take anyway...


for us, 50/50's get triangle phoenix white and for cotton we use wilflex solar white...

[bulldog]

Figured I'd throw this in since no one has mentioned it. On 50/50s I use WM Plastics 9008PW Titan Poly White. I love it.

[alan802]

One Stroke Production or Production Plus White for poly.  It's the easiest working poly ink I've tried, and I've tried a lot.  The plus has a little more bleed resistance if you have sublimated jerseys or 100% poly red or camo. 

[blue moon]

too many different opinion on whites so I'll stay out of it.

Use Unimatch Black for union. Best black I've tried. Prints awesome WOW, holds a good edge and it covers great. Give it a shot if you can get it.

pierre

[alan802]

And I forgot, One Stroke WOW Black.  We print on top of our black a lot and need a WOW black more than anything and this one doesn't build up, at all.  I've not used as many black inks as white, and I'd love to try the Unimatch Pierre mentioned.

[mimosatexas]

for what it's worth, from the 30-40 different whites we tested, it comes down to working temp of the ink more than the ink/brand. pick one you can get from your supplier, who cares what the price is. learn how to print with it and at what temp it likes to be at. in this day and age, I don't think any manufacturer makes a "sh*tty" ink, you just have to learn how to use it...my take anyway...


for us, 50/50's get triangle phoenix white and for cotton we use wilflex solar white...

I have to disagree.  After testing around 50 white inks now, I can say with 100% confidence that 3 or 4 of those were absolute horseshit.  Granted they were 30-40 a gallon, but they had really terrible issues that makes them a poor value even at that price.