Stock gray = PMS 429?

[Gilligan]

Does anyone have a stock gray that is basically a 429?

OR, should I bite the bullet on a PC system?

OR, should just buy a gallon of a mixed 429 ink?

I currently MOSTLY use Union, but have a few others as well.  My main suppliers are GSG and Reece, both have free shipping and deliver twice a week to my shop.

[broadway]

This is what i do for my stock greys, 432C, 430C and 428C (or so). I have the mx mixing system but for the greys i just use matte black plastisol and white plastisol. I might add some curable reducer, soft hand... I can mix it by eye. You will eventually need the mixing system. For me this works just fine. Try Wilflex russell grey #13300 or dark grey #14600. These numbers might be old.

[Inkworks]

Same here, white + black plastisol, sometimes you need a touch of yellow or blue too.

[Frog]

I think that a a lot of this decision should be based on the customer, and their fussiness.
If he calls for a Pantone color, I'm assuming that he knows that some grays are greenish, and some are reddish, and some like this one have blue as a component.

The Union Mixopake formula asks for twice as much Blue (red shade) than the black in it.

The standard Pantone offset formula calls for reflex blue, but only about half as much as the black.

Hopefully, you do have a swatch book to at least have a visual goal to match if you do try it on your own with stock inks.
Otherwise, I vote for buying a mixed bucket of how ever much you need, (or can use in the future)
This vote is based partially on how I know that you don't like to spend any more than necessary, and only you know if a mixing system is necessary yet.
Then you need to decide between pigment concentrates and complete ink systems.

[tancehughes]

Kevin get a mixing system, you won't look back!

Yes we actually use 429 here more often for grey than any other shade. It's our most popular grey.

[Printficient]

Yep.  Xenon Dk Grey.  $49 per Gallon and $220 per 5.  It is a nice clean grey.

[Gilligan]

Yeah frog, I'm a cheap bastard, but I don't mind investing for "long" term gains... Which these PC systems seem to have.

So what are the downside to a mixing system?

[Prosperi-Tees]

Downside? Maybe time spent mixing up a color and keeping your containers labeled which I am horrible with.

[Gilligan]

On average, how long does whipping up a half a quart or so take?

[Prosperi-Tees]

If you are organized 5 minutes or so.

[Frog]

On average, how long does whipping up a half a quart or so take?

Pints, and other small quantities can be fairly tricky with some colors with a pigment system. Get ready to accurately measure down to hundredths of grams.

As for time, it would depend on how many colors are involved.
I just mixed 600 grams of 237 Cancer Ribbon Pink, with the Mixo inks, and it was less than 5 minutes but was only white and cerise.

[Gilligan]

That's why I said "on average".

[Gilligan]

Just remembered...

This is going on Maroon 100% poly shirts.

I'm going to need to have bleed blocking ink.

What is the best option there?  Is that something that you can also mix with an IMS?

[Printficient]

Xenon Dk Grey.  $49 per gallon.  Same formula as Reg White.  Also can make a Mustang formula Dk Grey as well.  Adjust your dryer and all is well.

[Gilligan]

Xenon Dk Grey.  $49 per gallon.  Same formula as Reg White.  Also can make a horse formula Dk Grey as well.  Adjust your dryer and all is well.

Are you saying your Dk Gray is PMS 429 AND it's bleed blocking?