FEATURED QUESTION What is Plastisol?
Plastisol inks are widely used in garment printing. They are easy to print, do not dry in the screen, can be very opaque on dark garments, and will adhere to most textiles. They are composed primarily of two ingredients, PVC resin (a white powder) and plasticizer (a thick, clear liquid). Plastisol inks have one outstanding characteristic, they must be heated to dry. They will not dry, or cure, at normal temperatures. For a complete cure, they must reach 290-330º F (143-166º C). A plastisol is a balanced dispersion of solid ingredients (polyvinyl chloride resins -PVC Plastic) in liquid plasticizers. This balanced system of solids to liquids is referred to as a “press-ready” plastisol. In other words, the plastisol is a finished product, ready to print. Additives (pigments, dye migration blockers, fillers, puff, stabilizers, and etc.) are incorporated into the formula depending on the final product requirements. Upon addition of these additives to the formula, the solid to liquid ratio i
