In very rare cases, it is actually the color that will let you down. When we talk about cover colors intended for printing on a dark shirt and it fails to meet its promise of coverage and vibrant color results, there are definitely other fundamental factors causing dissatisfaction. In what follows, we will look at all the factors on which the performance of light colors on a dark background depends. Is the color really to blame? Probably not. Perhaps …
Squeegee rubber
Are you using the right hardness of the squeegee rubber? The higher the hardness, the less ink will be pushed through the screen. The angle of the squeegee during printing is also important, as a lower angle reduces the amount of ink in the print compared to a larger angle. Is the edge of the rubber ground flat or rounded? A flat ground edge will reduce the amount of ink applied compared to a rounded edge. So, if you are not satisfied with the coverage, try a softer rubber with a larger angle and slightly slower motion.
Mesh density:
Are you using the right thread density mesh? Do not expect the same results if you print white ink on a black base with a 120T mesh or a 43T mesh.
Mesh tension, distance between screen and substrate, squeegee pressure:
Do your screens resemble a trampoline or the tightest string? Higher screen tension allows setting minimal distance between the print and the screen, consequently requiring less squeegee pressure. With less squeegee pressure, the ink will properly lay on top of the print, whereas excessive pressure would push the ink into the textile. It also increases production rates and reduces fatigue during manual printing, which results in higher profits and employee morale.
Thickness of the applied emulsion:
This is often the most important factor in creating high-quality prints on dark shirts. Your ink consumption is directly related to the thickness of the emulsion layer. Depending on the type of screen you’re using, it might be necessary to coat the screen as you usually do, then dry it and come back with an additional coat on the print side. If you do this, remember to recalculate the exposure time as the additional emulsion layer will cause underexposure. The outcome can be the breakdown of the emulsion.
Test
Always test ink durability before printing larger batches. As mentioned, other factors usually influence print quality, but occasionally there can be an issue with the ink. If you encounter ink that looks ‘strange’ or ‘is not functioning’, let us know and we will replace it.
… So, because you changed many things, you realized that the color is excellent and you will gladly continue to use it.
Let the print on the shirt also be your satisfaction!