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Well, it's not really a rice bag. It's for fertilizer. I need to screenprint 2 colors on these 2'x 2' +/- fertilizer bags. I don't know the name of the material the bags are made of. The bags remind me of a really flimsy, cheap banner material, kind of woven-like. What inks should I use? If I used Plastisol, for example, wouldn't the heat melt the bag?? Also, how do I register for the 2nd ink color since I'm not printing on a solid substrate?
Thanks, Felix
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2290 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Felix, If this material is a plastic like those flimsy blue tarps or fruit bags you wont get any ink to stick to it. If it's a natural fiber you can use about anything.
As far as registering, the best solution that we've come up with it to take the film for the second color and register it under the screen. Than tape down the edge of the film to hinge it. Put your bag down, flip the film over, line it up, flip the film back and print it. Not fun and not cheap. You will probably be charging 4 times what the client bought the bags for.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1359 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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The Screenprinting Industry does multi-color printing on delicate Nylon Jersey's using plastisol. Contact someone associated with Soccer Apparel or similar that could offer a few hints or better yet print 'em for you.
-------------------- Rich Stebbing RichSigns Rohnert Park CA 707-795-5588 Posts: 755 | From: Rohnert Park, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Well plastisol cures at 325 so if this bag melts at that temperature then that would rule out plastisol. Their are other vinyl type screening inks that air dry and should work but may chip off or not stick at all. Do you have a 2 or more color press? I would make a platen that I could put the bag onto and I would spray the platen with spray glue that will hold the bag in place.
-------------------- Steve Eisenreich Dezine Signs PO BOX 6052 Stn Forces Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 2C5 Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
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The Manufacturer of Ink that we use, will do a compatability test for you. You just send them a sample of the material and they send it back to you screenprinted. As well as the recommended screen mesh and ink series.
I was surprised to find out that they manufactured additional inks that are NOT even LISTED in their catalog.
-------------------- Bruce & Deb Newton Graphic Lettering San Marcos, CA Posts: 126 | From: San Marcos, CA | Registered: Sep 2001
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Hey, Felix... just my dos centavos here...... Remember,,,, you are not doing Tee Shirts !!! You are doing a product that may be only seen once, stacked in a barn for a period of time, ripped open and flung in the landfill after only being used once. Just take that into consideration....(will your reputation hinge on color bleed over ??) As for inks.......... I have NO idea !! just commenting on one of your questions about registration, artwork, etc.
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 822 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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Most likely, the bags are made from polypropylene in which case you should use an ink such as Nazdar's "PA Series Poly-All Screen Ink".
If you are not sure what the material is, I recommend contacting Nazdar's technical department and send them a sample of the material. They will test it free of charge and recommend the correct ink for you to use.
John, I saw a big rice bag at the store & they have a 3 color print on it. Horrible quality. I kept telling the client to keep it simple (since its a throw away bag) but he insists on 2 colors.
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2290 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Just remember Felix. Most of the bags that you see are roller printed during the manufacturing process for pennies a piece not a buck and a half or whatever your going to have to charge.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1359 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think I would simply chose not to do this job in two colors. One or nothing.
In retrospect, some of the struggles I took on just because I knew ultimately I COULD find a way to pull it off, were not worth it financially and aged me early in wear and tear emotionally. And then, after I figured it out, there is never another job like it, and they don't stand there and blow a trumpet in my honor, either.
Like the single piece inlaid table top, onto which I once screened a simulation of a table cloth for the furniture market in High Point NC, and I had no insurance then in case I messed it up.
I will file away the very very good info that ink manufacturers might test a sample and make a recommendation. That is good to know!
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