Do More with Water Based Ink Using 3 New Specialty Additives

Green Galaxy Water-Based inks are sustainable, friendly to the printer and planet, and economically priced. There are tons of options for specialty printing with these High-Solids acrylics (HSA) inks: puff, gold, silver, and more. Starting now, there are even more printers that can do with Green Galaxy inks. Make ink keep vibrancy, stretch further and stay wet on press longer with three new specialty additives. 

COMPOUND ND OPEN TIME EXTENDER

Picture this: you’re printing a run of prints with water-based inks. Halfway into the run, you get an important call and have to step away from the press. When you return, the ink has begun to dry on the screens. You’ll have to clean them out and start over. 

Frustrating, isn’t it? Water-based ink dries on the screen quickly. This can cause production to grind to a halt. Compound ND Open Time Extender increases the time water-based inks can stay moist on press before they begin to evaporate or thicken. Waste less time and ink by adding Compound ND. Focus on printing instead of keeping inks printable.

HOW TO USE

Using Compound ND is easy. Start by adding 2-3% by weight of the additive into water-based ink. Mix at a max of 5%. Compound ND works with all Green Galaxy water-based inks.

CURING

Because Compound ND increases water-based ink’s open time, it can take longer to evaporate and cure. Make sure to test cure times before heading to production. If needed, add Warp Drive to help cure the ink.

RELATED: IS WATER-BASED PRINTING RIGHT FOR YOU?

FIXATOR

If you want to get an extra boost of color in your water-based prints, use Green Galaxy Fixator NFO. This will allow increases in color density and durability of water-based prints. It improves the life of the print, or wash color fastness. Keep colors from fading with Fixator. 

HOW TO USE

Use Fixator to increase pigment load in an ink or to ensure a print won’t fade over time. Add 3% by weight to your fusion system formula to increase the pigment load capabilities. 

Another benefit of using Fixator in water-based inks is the lowered cure temperature. Fixator lowers the cure temp to 300°F. 

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STRETCH CORE

Stretch Core is excellent for printing water-based ink on stretchable fabrics like workout wear, leggings, swimsuits, or any time the ink layer needs added durability.

HOW TO USE

Green Galaxy Stretch Core can be used in two different ways. First, it can be added to a base white to increase the stretchiness of the ink. Add it into the Fusion Mixing System formulas to increase the stretch of custom mixes.

HOW TO USE IN FUSION SYSTEM

The great thing about Stretch Core is that it can be used at any percentage within the Fusion Mixing System. To add it to a Fusion Mixing Formula, replace the Opaque Core with Stretch Core for general purpose printing. 

Create your own ratio by creating a mix of Clear Core and Stretch to keep the ratio consistent across all of the ink colors. 

Adding a ratio of Stretch Core to the Fusion Mixing system is based on the needs of a design, shop environment, and the printer’s abilities. Always test inks before production and make adjustments if necessary.

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Make your prints do more for you with these three new water-based inks and additives. With unlimited possibilities, you print anything you can dream up. Check out all the other amazing specialty inks and additives that make Green Galaxy water-based inks stand out.