Curing · 4 of 8 · 1 min read
Do you need a conveyor dryer?
Sources honestly differ, so here are all three views:
“Nice-to-have upgrade”ScreenPrinting.com’s startup checklist lists a conveyor as an upgrade, and its help center gives tips for curing with a flash: keep the shop 70–80°F, minimize airflow, hold the flash about 2–3 inches above the platen, lift the shirt off the platen, and measure with a probe.
Flash curing “not recommended”Lawson says flash curing is not recommended because it can overheat the surface and leave the rest of the ink undercured.
Required for some inksScreenPrinting.com says a conveyor is the only way to cure discharge, and that a flash or small conveyor alone struggles with water-based ink.
Our read: you can start with a flash for plastisol, but then wash-testing every new shirt and ink is your job, and the process is slow. A conveyor makes cure repeatable.
Sources for this guide (18)
- Wilflex (Avient), Ink curing tips (2020, PDF)
- Avient, Mapping your conveyor dryer (PDF)
- Davis International, FAQs
- Davis International, Common issues
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, How do you cure water-based ink?
- Lawson Screen & Digital, Curing plastisol inks
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, What is cure temp?
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, How do you cure plastisol with a flash dryer?
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, Why does ink crack in a stretch test?
- ScreenPrinting.com, 4 curing methods
- International Coatings, Curing ink with a heat gun
- International Coatings, How do I test to make sure my inks are properly cured?
- Screen Printing Magazine, Figuring out flash-curing parameters
- Screen Printing Magazine, Curing comes clean through wash testing
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, What do I need to start a shop?
- Lancer Group, STI direct print silicone ink system (PDF)
- Northwest Graphic, Silextreme silicone ink
- PIA/SPTF, Textile plastisol curing troubleshooting (PDF)
Ranges are starting points from these sources. When a source and your ink’s tech data sheet disagree, follow the tech data sheet.