Screening Vinyl Stickers

[ClutchInc]

Im wanting to get started screening my own stickers for my company. Ive read a lot about how, but havent really seen what materials to use. What type of vinyl? What brand of air-dry inks? Type of emulsion needed? Any help would be great. Thanks.

Scott

[Catspit Productions]

I really don’t know if I have all the specific answers to your questions. But I believe we can print on any vinyl sticker material with an air dry vinyl ink. It will be a solvent ink so the emulsion should be resistant to solvent based inks.

Graphic HU by SaatiChem would work well:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/sa ... icals.html

You can get Dubuit vinyl inks form this vendor:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/in ... plies.html

Generally speaking we will use a higher mesh count with this thinner type of ink. A harder squeegee will do well too.

[derekprins]

I have printed stickers with a solvent based ink successfully. However, when I used the same ink on corrugated plastic boards (estate agent type) the ink printed perfectly but when you just put masking tape over it and peel it off, the ink comes off as well. How do I solve this issue? Should I wipe the boards with paint thinners or something similar?

[Catspit Productions]

No, I think you’ll actually want to use a coroplast ink for the signs. The ink should bond to the corrugated plastic signs and not rub or peel off. Just like the ink for vinyl stickers would bond to vinyl.

Corrugated plastic is not vinyl I’m pretty sure. You would think they are similar enough but when it comes to inks and bonding, the right ink makes all the difference.

[Saati]

Not to hijack this thread but Catspit is right. Typically vinyl stickers are a little more forgiving to get ink to adhere to. Most graphics solvent based inks will work for pressure sensitive vinyl.

Coroplast is an animal that is totaly different. So much so that most mfg make a ink that is speciffic to it. We have been real sucessiful with the CO series from Dubuit for lawn signs and such but it has a limited outdoor resistance. if you require 3-4 year outdoor life I would look for something with automotive grade pigments.

[Catspit Productions]

Not at all Saati, I was actually thinking of you when I answered this and thought, Saati would know the answer to this for sure

Thanks for helping out with the details!

[derekprins]

Thanks to Jonathan and Saati, your info was very hel[ful and solved my problem. Thanks again.

[miller]

Hi guys! First post here... I'm just now getting started in the screen print world (simply as a form of art and expression), and would like to start printing my own stickers. Does anyone have sugestions as to the best quality vynil and ink to use for this process? Thanks in advance!

Miller