Which Ink To Use For Skate Decks???

Here you can discuss any issues related to working with plastisol screen printing inks. This would include curing, mixing colors, additives, brands, usages and much more.

Moderators: Shamax, Leadfoot, ApeShirt, Catspit Productions

LacedUp73
Screen Trooper
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:51 am

Which Ink To Use For Skate Decks???

Post by LacedUp73 »

Hey guys, I just got a small job for a few bands that want to get their names, logos, and/or images onto the bottom of a skate deck. I haven't seen the artwork yet, but I have the feeling that it's mainly a spot print image, with little, or no gradient detailing. Now, so far all the jobs I've had, were done with Plastisol inks. But, I'm thinking that this is not a job for Plastisol, and that I'll be needing some type of specialty ink, for this particular surface??? I briefly talked to another screen printer, and was told that I'll need an "EPOXY INK", but I have no idea what that is!?!?!??! Can anyone shed more light on this "EPOXY INK", for me, and how it's to be applied??? Or, should I be seeking another route/ink, altogether??? Thanks, so much \m/
User avatar
Catspit Productions
Site Admin
Posts: 1995
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:47 am
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Which Ink To Use For Skate Decks???

Post by Catspit Productions »

Now I have no idea what ink would be best on a skate board but if the board is finished with any coatings or gloss an epoxy might work. But you are correct in that plastisol inks will not work for this.

If you are printing directly onto wood then a poster ink may work as well. Either way a poster ink or an epoxy will be an air dry ink and it will be more difficult to work with. This video shows how to work with an air dry coroplast ink which is like poster inks.



It will be similar for any air dry ink you work with. What I would do is speak with your board vendor and find out what makes up the surface you are printing on. Then I would contact an ink manufacturer like Nazdar or Dubuit.

Ask them what in to use on the material you wish to print. That is always the best solution. The key is knowing what material you are printing on.

You may want to read this thread as well:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/fo ... =44&t=2279

Let me know if that helps out some.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
User avatar
upperhandprinting
Senior Screen Printer
Posts: 59
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 3:05 pm
Location: Washington, DC
Contact:

Re: Which Ink To Use For Skate Decks???

Post by upperhandprinting »

Nazdar 2700 is the standard I've heard from my research. It's water based, so make sure to keep your screen flooded and work quicker than normal so it doesn't dry in your screen. Good luck!
Craig
Upper Hand Printing - Custom band merch
http://www.upperhandprinting.com
Trumpet The Harlot - My band
http://www.trumpettheharlot.com
User avatar
Catspit Productions
Site Admin
Posts: 1995
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:47 am
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Which Ink To Use For Skate Decks???

Post by Catspit Productions »

Thanks Craig! I think you are our resident skate board printing expert ;)
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
brianjaramillo
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:17 am

Re: Which Ink To Use For Skate Decks???

Post by brianjaramillo »

I also use Nazdar 2700.It is water based,safe and easy to use and clean up.I printed some T-shirts with that.
click on this for more detail
Post Reply