Images Magazine November 18

STEP-BY-STEP: PRINTINGWITHMAGNAPRINT EMBOSS INK www.images-magazine.com NOVEMBER 2018 images 81 TIPS & TECHNIQUES A 43T (110) mesh is most suitable for MagnaPrint Emboss Ink. Make sure the screen is fully clean prior to printing. 1 2 Only 100% polyester garments can be used with the Emboss Ink. The ink works by expanding, which contracts certain areas of the polyester fabric to create a permanent, embossed effect. Ensure there is around 5mm of off-contact distance between the screen and garment. Using a medium 65 ° shore rectangular squeegee, set the blade angle to 15 ° . 3 4 Enough ink should be added to ensure that the screen-mesh is fully flooded. Print two strokes followed by a four-second flash cure at 100 ° C, followed by another two strokes. Magna used an eight-station M&R Sportsman EX press. Make sure excess ink is collected and the screens are cleaned thoroughly. 5 6 Before the curing stage the printed area will appear flat and semi-translucent. For best results, cure the garment at 170 ° C for 2-2 ½ minutes. Magna used an M&R MiniSprint 2000 dryer. Once cured, the ink will have turned white and the 3D embossed effect will be apparent on the garment. The remaining ink now needs to be washed off the garment. Magna recommends a one-hour cycle at 60 ° C and 1,400rpm, including a pre-wash setting. It used a Miele domestic washing machine and an optical brightener-free washing powder. 7 8 Once dry, the final printed design is visible on the fabric and the excess ink has now been removed. Note the permanently raised, 3D-effect areas in the design.