Heat Activated Color Changing Inks

[SteveS]

I had a client inquire about this for an event series t-shirt design. It seems like I've something about this but can't find any information on it.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[Frog]

I had a client inquire about this for an event series t-shirt design. It seems like I've something about this but can't find any information on it.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Here's one manufacturer
http://www.qcrsolutions.com/Site/Thermochromic_Pigments,_Inks,_and_Plastics___QCR_Solutions_Corp_files/Thermochromic%20Textile%20Screen%20Ink%20%7C%20Plasticol%20Based%20%7C%20Technical%20Data%20Sheet%20%7C%202011%20%7C%20QCR%20Solutions%20Corp.pdf

[Pangea]

You're looking for thermo-chromic inks like used on Coors labels (the mountains turn blue when it's cold!). Hallcrest sells pigments that can be put in to clear bases but it's very DIY and would need wash tests:

https://www.thermometersite.com/water-based-touch-sensitive-thermochromic-ink-kit

There's also shirts that are heat activated if you could sway them in that direction:

http://www.dyemurex.com/

[SteveS]

I just stumbled across this too.

https://www.solaractive.com/raw-materials/screen-print-inks/

Anyone ever use any of this stuff?

[Frog]

I just stumbled across this too.

https://www.solaractive.com/raw-materials/screen-print-inks/

Anyone ever use any of this stuff?

But that stuff is Photochromic and changes with light, not heat

[SteveS]

My goodness.... I had it all wrong.

They want sweat activated.

They want something like this...
https://www.viewsport.us/

Is this proprietary or is there a process that is available to the general screen printer?

[Frog]

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php?topic=15127.0

Another even older thread
http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php?topic=5019.0

[SteveS]

Yeah....we're out on this stuff. I know someone that told me that the shirts only last for about 10 washes and if the owner doesn't care for the shirt (hot wash, hot dry), the image will lock and it won't shift anymore.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. I'll refer that job down to the competition. LOL

[Pangea]

I just stumbled across this too.

https://www.solaractive.com/raw-materials/screen-print-inks/

Anyone ever use any of this stuff?

I've mixed my own up that's water based, haven't done proper wash tests though:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfqbrjmlCuz/?taken-by=pangeaprinting

[Colin]

My goodness.... I had it all wrong.

They want sweat activated.

They want something like this...
https://www.viewsport.us/

Is this proprietary or is there a process that is available to the general screen printer?

Looks like a clear ink that prevents the garment from soaking up water.  When the garment gets wet - it darkens up - the printed area cant get wet - it stays the shirt color.

I would ask ink companies about a waterbase clear that would do this for you.

[Frog]

My goodness.... I had it all wrong.

They want sweat activated.

They want something like this...
https://www.viewsport.us/

Is this proprietary or is there a process that is available to the general screen printer?

Looks like a clear ink that prevents the garment from soaking up water.  When the garment gets wet - it darkens up - the printed area cant get wet - it stays the shirt color.

I would ask ink companies about a waterbase clear that would do this for you.

Yep, these inks are actually described like a rabid critter, "Hydrophobic"

[Colin]

Sounds like the people who only drink diet coke

[dallen48]

Has anyone found a viable solution for this? I'm keen to get some samples made up for a team of weight loss people I train.

Does anyone provide a small run custom design service for these moisture activated shirts?

[kingscreen]

We have used Solar Active. Excellent product but is VERY expensive. And as previously mentioned, it is UV reactive in the sun. Not with heat.

[dallen48]

I may be coming at this from the ring direction. Maybe a water repellent ink or Teflon base as ideally it needs to be invisible. Is this possible?