THERMOCHROMIC PLASTISOL

Color Changing Plastisol
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FEATURES

* CHANGES COLOR WHEN EXPOSED TO BODY HEAT

* PRINTS LIKE ANY PLASTISOL

APPLICATION

* DIRECT PRINT OR TRANSFER PRINT

* ON WHITE AND LIGHT COLORED SHIRTS

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SPECIFICATIONS: PLVA Series
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GENERAL INFORMATION:

Thermochromic Plastisol Inks are designed to change color when exposed to sufficient body heat. This plastisol is formulated for wet-on-wet direct printing and heat transfer with good opacity for white and medium colored cotton and cotton/polyester garments.

DIRECT PRINTING:

PLVA inks are smooth and creamy and easy to use. They can be direct printed wet-on-wet without curing between colors and if necessary can be flash-cured between colors quickly. PLVA inks should be used on light or medium colored shirts

CURING OF DIRECT PRINTS:

Thermochromic plastisol inks WILL NOT AIR DRY. They must be heat cured. PLVA Series inks will fully cure and withstand repeated washings when the entire ink deposit reaches 300F (149C). Curing can be accomplished with the use of a conveyer dryer, flash curing unit or simple infrared heater.

Important Note on Curing: Proper curing is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Poor washability of the print can generally be traced back to under-curing of a direct print or over-curing of a heat transfer. For more specific information on plastisol inks, curing, and drying techniques refer to Union Ink's Plastisol General Information Sheet.

HEAT TRANSFER PRINTING:

Thermochromic plastisol inks can be applied as a heat transfer as well. They can be printed on heat transfer release paper and then applied to white or light-colored shirts and other textiles with a heat transfer press. It is recommended that these transfers be applied with the "hot-peel" heat transfer method where the transfer paper is peeled off the hot transfer IMMEDIATELY after the transfer is applied. When the paper is peeled hot, a portion of the ink remains on the paper and the rest stays on the shirts

CURING OF HEAT TRANSFERS:

Prints on heat transfer paper (Trans-Lith, Trans-French and Trans-55) should only be semi-cured. Over-cure may cause problems later on during transfer (more energy is needed to remelt a cured film than a semi-cured film). Semi-curing or drying the film only to the extent that the sheets can be handled, stacked, cut and shipped is the desired condition. The ink will semi-cure when the ink deposit reaches 250°F (121°C).

TRANSFER TIME AND TEMPERATURE:

Transfer at 350-375°F (177-190 C) for 10-20 seconds at 40-50 p.s.i. Quickly strip the release paper IMMEDIATELY after raising the transfer press platen while the shirt remains in the press.

REDUCERS:

PLVA Plastisols are supplied Ready-For-Use. If necessary, reduce with small amounts of PLUS-9000 Reducer/Detackifier. Reduction with Mineral Spirits should not be done. Always stir well to break down false body and determine the actual working viscosity prior to adding reducer! If using PLVA for Hot-Peel Transfers the ink should be used straight from the can.

SCREEN FABRIC:

Monofilament 86T-205T (34-82 metric) are recommended for direct printing. For hot-peel Transfers, use 83-110T (34-43 metric). Because the ink film splits on hot-peel transfers, the ink film should be printed thicker than for a direct print.

STENCILS:

Direct Emulsion Stencils such as UNION INK'S INMARCOL-R or INMARCOL-W are recommended. Capillary direct film gives sharper edge defintion and a thicker deposit of ink on heat transfers.

WASH-UP:

Mineral Spirits or biodegradable WASH-9900 Skreen Kleen.

STORAGE:

Store plastisols at room temperature. Prolonged exposure to high temperature can cause the curing process to begin while the ink is still in the container.

WASHABILITY:

Excellent. Dry cleaning is not recommended. Do not iron imprinted part of garments.

CAUTION:

Always pre-test for adhesion, crocking, opacity, washability and specific requirements. Wash metallic colors in cold water and mild soap to preserve brilliance. They are offered solely for your consideration, investigation, and verification. Pretest inks on surfaces to be printed.

ALWAYS TEST BEFORE USING IN PRODUCTION

While Union Ink Company believes that the data contained herein are factual and the opinions expressed are those of qualified experts regarding the results of the tests conducted, the data are not to be taken as a warranty or representation for which Union Ink Company assumes legal responsibility.