CHT Alpaprint Silicone User Guide
Silicone Inks
A great option for your next project
OVERVIEW
CHT Silicone Ink is a 2 part system that consists of a White, Neutral Base, 12 Opaque Pigments and four Fluorescent Pigments. The system is PVC and Phthalate Free. In addition there is an Anti-Slip version as well as a High Density Gel that can be used as a metallic or glitter base.
ADDITIVES
- ALPAPRINT CATALYST (use @ 2% by weight)
- ALPA THIX A – Thickener for increasing viscosity
- ALPA OIL V 50 – Thinner for decreasing viscosity
- COLOURDUR AM ADDITIVE – Anti-migration additive (added @ 10%)
MESH
CHT Silicone Inks print best when printed through mesh ranging from 86 to 160 threads per inch. (32 – 64 threads per cm.)
FLASH CURING
Unlike traditional plastisol inks CHT Silicone Inks flash cure best at very low temperatures and at short flash cure times. We recommend flash cures set at no higher the 140 F and for no longer then 3 seconds. Preheating the pallets is strongly recommended. Higher flash cure temperatures will adversely affect the catalyzed ink life and the ability of the inks to remain open in the image area.
CURING TIMES
CHT Silicone Ink allows for migration free images on even the most difficult polyester fabrics. To achieve migration free prints with the softest, most opaque ink film we recommend a print production process where layers of ink are printed using 86 – 160 mesh, flash cured at low temperatures then repeated until the desired effect is achieved. For migration free prints curing needs to take place under the sublimation point of the dye in the garment. Using a double stroke print procedure is helpful to get the brightest whites and most opaque colors.
If higher levels of ink layers are needed we recommend using high density stencils ranging from 100 micron to 300 microns and printing using the same method described above.
