Dark DC Colors

[sqslabs]

We hit a wall today on this one.  The grey and off white landed perfectly, but every mix we tried of the olive green was too light and ended up the same tonal range as the grey so there was no contrast whatsoever.  I've tried boosting the pigs and lowering the activator, but am getting a similar result every time. 

After giving it some thought, my gut is telling me to just keep adding black pigment to the mixes (and rolling back on white) until we get to where we want, but I was just checking to see if there's any other secrets to mixing dark DC colors that might help before we try again in the AM. 

Pic attached which shows a portion of the artwork.  Thoughts?

[mimosatexas]

depending on how dark you want it, what about just straight waterbased ink.  No DC Base, no activator, etc.  IN my experience, even unactivated DC base will lighten a bit.

[sqslabs]

depending on how dark you want it, what about just straight waterbased ink.  No DC Base, no activator, etc.  IN my experience, even unactivated DC base will lighten a bit.

Thanks for the response.  One of the last things I tried today was a WB mix but it pretty much just disappeared on the black shirt.  It was Matsui base though which is all we currently have in house, and tends to run a bit thinner than CCI.  I didn't try DC base without activator though, do you think it would give better results?

[jsheridan]

start with black ink and add your white till you hit your grey.

[sqslabs]

start with black ink and add your white till you hit your grey.

Thanks John.. I have a whole library of greys so I'm good there.  It's the olive color that's giving me the issues.  It has to be dark enough to contrast with a fairly dark grey, and still be a discharge or wb ink if possible.

[kingscreen]

Not sure what your formula is, but on a Black tee our Olive formula would have no White pigment in it.
2-3% activator, 15-20% pigment load.

[sqslabs]

Not sure what your formula is, but on a Black tee our Olive formula would have no White pigment in it.
2-3% activator, 15-20% pigment load.

Makes sense.  If you wouldn't mind sharing it, please feel free to send the formula via PM.  I have Matsui NEO, CCI and Magna mixing systems in house.

Thanks! 

[kingscreen]

What's the PMS you're shooting for?

[sqslabs]

I don't have my book in front of me, but if I recall correctly it was 5753.  Looking at an online chart, I think 5757 would probably work as well.  I'm trying for a dark olive.