Curing · 7 of 8 · 1 min read
Energy and safety notes
Wilflex estimates that every 30°F you lower the oven set point saves about 10% on gas per oven, which is one reason low-cure inks are popular. Dryers and flash units run hot: keep lint and rags away, use metal safety cans for solvent rags, and give flash units clearance. Discharge ink releases formaldehyde when cured, so dryer exhaust matters.
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.