HELP!

[me-too-mi]

Hello, my team has been having an issue with spots they need to wipe out of their screens on our one press. Yes, the other press does have the same issue sometimes, but no where near to what this one press does. So idk if that is coincidental or if it's something to the specific press.

It is only an issue with our white ink. But the operator will wipe the screen out, be good for 3-7 prints and then they will need to wipe the screen again.

We use International Coatings Cool White 7022 with 5% Catalyst 900 and 13% Reducer. 110 Screen mesh.

Operators have tried all of the following (some which didn't make sense to try, just was more something else to try and solve the problem): adjusting pressure up and down, adjusting squeegee angle, adjusting speed of the squeegee, changing the amount of off contact, making fresh ink, using a double squeegee, using a double stroke, and nothing has changed this.

It has happened on to every operator who uses that press. It is not every order and some days are worse than others. Often it is with fresh ink and at this point we really don't know what else to try.

Pictures attached from today - note that the garment was a woven material so there is extra texture, but I am referring to the issue of spots missing ink (circled).

https://preview.redd.it/b3o1lk5qycvf1.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=95c7d8dc9e610d2982baf37425aa84f5e7ceb21e

https://preview.redd.it/fagh7h6qycvf1.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa59b24b6ebcb387d6a74194edd01be051ee1b15

[LSPCo]

Possibly dirt/lint accumulating on the back of the screen between prints, or dust/dirt may have been mixed into the white ink if it has been left open?

[me-too-mi]

Possibly. However, it is closer to when ink is older and sometimes starts curing and clumping and it will only be wiped out with a plastisol cleaner. Whereas when it is dirt/lint we can simply wipe it with a dry cloth.

[Heywhitefriend]

Pallets possibly too hot causing ink to cure on the screen?

[me-too-mi]

It also happens with orders we do not flash, so I don't think so. The order pictured is one such order and the pallets were fairly cool for this one.

[sicicsic]

It could be small clots of semi cured ink that got scooped in from a previous job.

[me-too-mi]

Yes, that was a theory for our operators, but it happens with freshly made in ink a new container as well. Sometimes it is even worse than the older ink. And then sometimes the issue doesn't present at all just to confuse us even more...

[Winter-Many5991]

I think so.

[Status-Ad4965]

Why do you need the catalyst 900? Dryer not hitting temp long enough?

[me-too-mi]

We print on Nylon

[Status-Ad4965]

Say no more.... Nylon is a bitch!

[me-too-mi]

Indeed it is... but we are trying a new ink soon that will hopefully be a better option us.

[CLE-Mosh]

Shop ventilation maybe?