Can I Use A Flash Cure Unit To Final Cure My Tee Shirts?

[Catspit Productions]

Yes, it is possible to use a flash cure unit to fully cure plastisol inks printed on tee shirts or other garments. But the real issue here is the consistency and the production rates of such a curing process. It is true that any heat source that can raise the temperature of the entire printed plastisol ink layer to around 330 degrees Fahrenheit will cure the ink. The problem with using a small flash cure unit or other small heat generating device is that it is almost impossible to ensure that every part of the printed design will get the same heat for the same duration of time. This problem may be greatly exaggerated when dealing with an order of hundreds of garments.

With an open heating element such as a flash cure unit, things like drafts, fans or any subtle breezes in the shop may affect the cure. The pallet board itself may reflect different amounts of heat radiation from area to area. You would be surprised at how a little variable in the shop can adversely affect your final cure. Even humidity can be a factor when curing 100% cotton garments. Shirts cured with flash cure units may often have wash out problems in certain areas of the print. I don’t mean to make you think you can’t do it at all; rather it is difficult to do consistently and efficiently.

But either way with a belt dryer or flash cure unit if you want a final cure you need to get the entire ink layer up to about 330 degrees Fahrenheit for however long it takes to do that. I hope that helps out, good luck.

[Leadfoot]

I have been successfully using a flash to cure my shirts...but I am only doing small runs and keeping the design sizes manageable. It is definitely not the best idea for time spent but it gets the job done until I can get a proper space for a conveyor dryer. A temp gun is definitely a must of you do this. You can temp the different areas of the design to make sure it is reaching the ideal temperature. It sure gets my third bedroom HOT!!! But like I siad, it does the trick for now and if done properly with a temp gun you can get professional results!

[Catspit Productions]

Awesome tips. Thanks so much for sharing and posting about this topic. I think it will be of help to many people; great encouragement for people starting out with questions about using a flash cure for the final curing process.

Would anyone else care to share their thoughts about working with a flash cure unit for the final curing of plastisol inks?

[duckz10]

Hi guys, newbie here again!!!!
The above posts have been very informative and helpful, thanks guys.
I would like to know........ After the initial first flash cure, could a heat press (or other flat surface that can run the correct temp) fully cure the print?
I'm just starting to explore and experiment with plastisol inks and, like all folks just starting up, haven't got the funds to buy the "ideal" equipment so have to rely on the sound advice given here and a little bit of imagination and ingenuity!!!!!!!
Cheers!
Duckz10

[ApeShirt]

I've read numerous articles and testimonials stating that you can indeed use a heat press (with wax paper) to do a final cure. I've been using a flash dryer but that is time consuming. I've been wanting a heat press anyway for numbering and names so I may also use it for curing when I do get one. Of course, until I can afford a conveyor dryer.

[Catspit Productions]

I've read numerous articles and testimonials stating that you can indeed use a heat press (with wax paper) to do a final cure. I've been using a flash dryer but that is time consuming. I've been wanting a heat press anyway for numbering and names so I may also use it for curing when I do get one. Of course, until I can afford a conveyor dryer.

Yes, this is an interesting alternative curing method that I am planning on doing a video about. I have been told you can print the plastisol ink onto the shirt, dry it to the touch with a heat gun or a flash cure unit and then press it in a heat press for 30 seconds at 350 degrees Fahrenheit with a Teflon sheet over the print. I don’t know how well this works as I have never tried it yet but I will do an experimental video on this very soon.

If you had a heat press I would say try it out but if you plan on going farther with your printing and running commercial jobs you will want to cut down production time by using a little belt oven. Doing it with the heat press may work and it may work well but it will definitely be much slower than using a little belt dryer.

I sell very inexpensive heat presses here:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/ri ... pment.html

They are imported from China but I have been selling them for over 4 years now and no one has ever had any problems with these units.

[duckz10]

Thanks for the replies guys, really do apreciate all the advice given.
I've read an awful of entries on the entire forum, being new to the game advice from experienced guys is worth millions to me.
I would say though, and this is only a very hesitant suggeestion, maybe an article or a few videos showing how the complete beginner can produce the best work possible with a very limited budget might be helpful to some of the new guys out there? "How to start printing top quality shirts with a $200/£200 start-up budget"?
Just an idea!!!
DuckZ10

[Catspit Productions]

I have links for stuff like that here:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/sc ... -home.html

And hobby supplies here:

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

But I teach how it's done commercially so you can learn the process and perhaps adapt it to your end goals and budget.

Also my Favorites list on my YouTube channel will have home brew videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions

[duckz10]

Thanks guys, the info & advice supplied is, as always, invaluable to small run newbies like myself.

[Catspit Productions]

You’re welcome. Thanks for using the forum.