Author Topic: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?  (Read 4159 times)

Offline Prince Art

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 793
Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« on: October 16, 2019, 01:11:32 PM »
In some of our ink mixes, we use Multi-Tech Balanced Reducer. We've used it since we started out, and we like it for what we do with it. The problem: We can only get it through Lawson, and it is the ONLY thing we order from Lawson. I'd rather be bundling it with other supplies when we order it.

So that's the question: Is the same (exactly the same) product available through any other suppliers, perhaps under a different name/label?

(And if the answer is "yes, but the companies involved wouldn't want the info made public"... message me, maybe?)

Thanks.
Nice guys laugh last.


Offline Colin

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1610
  • Ink and Chemical Product Manager
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2019, 10:39:52 AM »
Sounds like curable reducer?

Do you have a tds/sds sheet for it?  a link?
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 RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2019, 11:17:12 AM »
Sounds like curable reducer?

Do you have a tds/sds sheet for it?  a link?

chino base should do what your needing
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline Flash Ink

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 111
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2019, 12:09:03 PM »
Or maybe SHAPE from Rutland? Here is the link https://www.rutlandinc.com/ink-product/ap-s-h-a-p-e/

Offline Prince Art

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 793
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2019, 01:42:54 PM »
Sounds like curable reducer?

Do you have a tds/sds sheet for it?  a link?

https://estore.lawsonsp.com/products/006-balanced-reducer

"Balanced Reducer: Curable clear liquid used to "thin" ink, but that means reduced opacity. Because of its curable formulation, any quantity can be used. Similar to MSB-100 Clear[/Soft Hand Extender], but thinner."

I appreciate everyone's input!

The key here is that it's a runny liquid, which I prefer for some specific applications over the other options.

I've used SHAPE & Chino base, and currently use Wilflex's Epic Soft Hand Clear. All good products. But those are all "buttery," not liquid. I've also tried One Stroke's Curable Reducer, which is runny, but it produces a somewhat "crunchy" hand in our mixes, where the MultiTech stuff is very soft.

Honestly, my bigger issue here is that MultiTech/Lawson doesn't provide CPSIA compliance documentation (Wilflex & One Stroke do, others may). I really want an equivalent product that I can use across the board, without thinking about what size shirts it will be used on. But it's also annoying to order only 1 product from a vendor.
Nice guys laugh last.

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2019, 01:45:03 PM »
ok . Primer clear is what your looking for
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline Prince Art

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 793
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2019, 02:01:47 PM »
ok . Primer clear is what your looking for

That might work! Happen to know if there's a Wilflex equiv of the same?
Nice guys laugh last.

Online Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13980
  • Docendo discimus
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2019, 02:02:28 PM »
This is what I've seen used for thirty years (though I'm sure it re-formulated a few years back like all plastisols)
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline Colin

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1610
  • Ink and Chemical Product Manager
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2019, 06:32:39 PM »
ok . Primer clear is what your looking for

That might work! Happen to know if there's a Wilflex equiv of the same?

Wilflex is Fashion Soft

I used to use the Ultrasoft Primer Clear from Rutland.

Both will do what you want :)
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 Prince Art

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 793
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2019, 10:58:01 AM »
Thank you!
Nice guys laugh last.

Offline inkman996

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 3760
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2019, 08:23:14 AM »
"No man is an island"

Offline Colin

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1610
  • Ink and Chemical Product Manager
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2019, 09:13:40 AM »
Don't forget polyone Viscosity Buster. Its a clear liquid.

https://sourceone.nazdar.com/P/3079/Epic-Non-Phthalate-Plastisol-Viscosity-Buster-Additive

As a reminder for the general public:  Viscocity buster and Detack additives are 100% plasticizer.  If you add more than the max of 3% (really it should be 1%-2%) your ink will NOT cure and the only way to fix it is to add more plastisol ink to what you mixed.  But the printer typically realizes this when the job is returned... 
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 mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2019, 09:29:43 AM »
Don't forget polyone Viscosity Buster. Its a clear liquid.

https://sourceone.nazdar.com/P/3079/Epic-Non-Phthalate-Plastisol-Viscosity-Buster-Additive

As a reminder for the general public:  Viscocity buster and Detack additives are 100% plasticizer.  If you add more than the max of 3% (really it should be 1%-2%) your ink will NOT cure and the only way to fix it is to add more plastisol ink to what you mixed.  But the printer typically realizes this when the job is returned...

You add more than 3% and you're pouring it out of the bucket anyway.  That stuff is serious.

Offline inkman996

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 3760
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2019, 03:56:32 PM »
Don't forget polyone Viscosity Buster. Its a clear liquid.

https://sourceone.nazdar.com/P/3079/Epic-Non-Phthalate-Plastisol-Viscosity-Buster-Additive

As a reminder for the general public:  Viscocity buster and Detack additives are 100% plasticizer.  If you add more than the max of 3% (really it should be 1%-2%) your ink will NOT cure and the only way to fix it is to add more plastisol ink to what you mixed.  But the printer typically realizes this when the job is returned...

Never added more than recommended, it is great for de-tacking inks for wet on wet and loosening up some of the more viscous inks.
"No man is an island"

Offline Prince Art

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 793
Re: Balanced reducer, one supplier, can we get it elsewhere?
« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2019, 10:47:05 AM »
Viscosity Buster is for accomplishing different things than what we're after. We use curable reducer for very soft hand, tone-on-tone prints. Essentially weakening the ink, without losing ability to cure fully.
Nice guys laugh last.