Opaque Water Based PROCESS BLUE (QUART)

The Opaque series are a "READY FOR USE" ink that can be used directly out of the container without adding any pigments, binders, or extenders to the ink!  It is typically used as a direct white or under base white on dark garments.  You can use the Opaque White as an under base and over print with the other opaque water base inks. 

Opaque inks are thicker than your average water based ink and needs to be printed slightly different.  Use a lot of ink on the screen and remember to back flood.  We STRONGLY recommend the using Printgen MG to reduce or thin your ink and make it easier to print or work with. The more ink that you use in your screen and during your back flood the less likely the ink is to dry out and the easier it is to print.  Always keep a spray bottle handy to mist the ink if it starts to stiffen up.  Use Sprayway Water Based Screen Opener to open up clogged designs.  To clean the screen completely you can wet wash the screen using Enviro Solv.

Pantone Matching the Opaque Series of ink can be used for pantone color matching, use the OW matching system in the program and replace OW colors w/ the same opaque colors. The pantone system uses all 14 colors. You can order them as needed or all at once in one of our value kits.  Download this software FREE here.

Advantages Of Enviro Opaque Water Based Inks:
• Free of most environmentally damaging chemicals such as PVC, phthalate, heavy metals, azo compounds, nonylphenol and formaldehyde. (Note: Discharge inks do use formaldehyde and must be handled differently)
• Ability to use wide range of mesh counts up to 300++
• Softer hand than plastisol inks.
• Intense pigment colors
• Ease of use and great elasticity on the shirt.
• Ability to achieve entire Pantone Color range using our 14 basic Pantone colors.  Simply input the pantone number and ink amount into the software and quickly get your mixing formulations.  Download this software FREE right here.
• Formulated for tack free enhanced screen stability which prevents ink drying in the screen and allows for faster and cleaner prints.

When using Enviro-Line Water Based Inks, you'll need to use a water resistant emulsion like SWR-3.  If you do not use this type of emulsion then your stencil will break down prematurely and you'll have to setup your screen all over again.  If you're just getting into screen printing, you may consider getting a complete Chemical Starter Kit for Water Based Inks. For all of Ryonet's Enviro-Line products click on the pictures below.

Directions for use. Ryonet will soon release a comprehensive DVD covering all aspects of water base and discharge screen printing.

STENCIL/EMULSION: A water proof direct emulsion should be used for optimal performance. SWR-3.

SQUEEGEE: 60-80 Durometer square edge. (Ryonet recommends 60 or 70 Durometer)

PRINTING: For best performance heat the pallets to 140 degrees F. before printing.  Heating your pallets will help retain the ink on the garment and allow for wet on wet printing without flashing in between. For light color fabric use Matsui ECO-Series RC through a high mesh screen. For dark colored fabric the use of 301 Transparent White as an under-base. For a softer hand use Matsui’s DSPS Discharge (see under basing below).  Screens should be flooded if printing is stopped for any period of time.  When loading water base ink into your screens, use a good amount of ink in order to insure the ink doesn't dry in your screen.  Print with a pull stroke for best results.  Gently back flood the screen with a lot of ink gently so ink is not pressed through the design.  You shouldn't be able to see your screen or image through your back flood.

Under Basing: For dark garments Enviro Opaque inks can be printed direct or used with a Opaque White under base.  The ink will always look best on a white background so under basing with white is optimal. To stay environmentally friendly stick with the water based Enviro inks. Another not as enviro friendly option is to under base by printing discharge ink which discharges the dye from the fabric.  For the ultimate brilliance and soft hand results try our premixed White Discharge which has white pigment mixed in into the discharge leaving a discharged white under base. View our discharge inks here.

DRYING/CURING: The 301 Enviro-Series ink must be cured for 2.5 to 3 minutes at 300 to 320 degrees F under typical infrared heat.

REMEMBER, USE A LASER TEMP GUN OR TEMP STRIPS TO INSURE CURING TEMP IS REACHED!

Curing Options: Water based inks cure differently from standard plastisol inks.  While plastisol inks cure with infrared once reaching 320 degrees, water based inks cure best with air movement and heat.  Air movement is preferred to drive water out of the ink and blow away steam so heat can cure water base pigment properly. Without hot air movement across the ink the water based inks will take much longer to cure.  With good air flow, water based inks can cure in under 1 minute while it may take 2.5 to 3 minutes in a standard infrared dryer. (Paper can be allowed to air dry)

WE STRONGLY SUGGEST WASH TESTING AND DOCUMENTING CURE TIMES BEFORE BEGINNING PRODUCTION.

CLEAN UP:  Card off excessive ink and dispose of in trash.  Use WB Enviro Solv to break down ink then wipe residue from screens, screen frames, squeegees and any surfaces in contact with ink. Left over residue can also be washed in the sink with water after soaking.

View and download EnviroLine MSDS Sheets.