WHAT ARE TONAL PRINTS?
Tonal prints are achieved by printing clear ink onto fabric, typically a polyester blend but can also be done on 100% polyester. This process causes a chemical interaction that darkens the fabric, giving it a wet appearance without actually being wet. The effect varies based on the fabric's composition and the ink used (brand and type).
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THE SCIENCE BEHIND TONAL PRINTS
When clear ink is printed on polyester, it reacts with the polyester threads, darkening the fabric. This doesn't work with cotton, as the fabric doesn't change color. For example, a tri-blend white fabric with clear ink shows no color shift because the white polyester doesn’t darken.
EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT FABRICS
Different fabrics react differently to clear ink. Here are some observations on the shirts printed here:
- 50/50 Recycled Cotton and Polyester: Shows slight darkening
- Triblend (50% poly, 25% cotton, 25% other): Even though it’s also 50% polyester, this polyester reacts more to the clear inks printed on it.
- 100% Polyester: Reacted differently compared to the blended fabrics
Summation: As polyester fabric is manufactured a little differently all over the world, you will see differences between brand of garments.
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THE ROLE OF DIFFERENT INKS
Using different clear ink can and will result in varied tonal effects. For example, curable reducers and fashion soft bases can create different tonal shifts even on the same fabric. Experimenting with different clear bases, like extender base and halftone base, can yield unique results.
PRACTICAL TIPS AND REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES
Colin shares a real-life example from his printing career. While working on a large order, the team tested clear ink on a sample fabric. However, the production fabric reacted more strongly, resulting in a darker tone than expected. They had to quickly find a different product, in this case a curable reducer that would produce the desired effect.
ENHANCING TONAL PRINTS WITH COLOR
Adding a small amount of color to clear ink can deepen the tonal effect. For instance, adding just 0.5% black to clear ink can create a much darker and richer tone. This method can be used to achieve subtle color variations and enhance the overall design.
VINTAGE LOOK WITH WHITE INK
While adding white to clear ink is trickier, it can be used to create a vintage print. Mixing fashion soft with bolt white and printing through a high mesh screen with a hard squeegee can produce a thin, soft print that feels almost like water-based ink.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Clear Ink on Polyester: Darkens the fabric, creating a tonal effect.
- Fabric Variability: Different fabrics and blends react differently to clear ink.
- Experimentation: Testing various clear inks and fabric types is essential to achieve the desired effect.
- Color Addition: Small amounts of black can deepen the tonal effect.
- Vintage Prints: Using white ink in combination with fashion soft can create a beautiful vintage look.
Tonal prints offer a unique and subtle way to enhance your screen printing projects. By understanding how clear ink interacts with polyester threads and experimenting with different fabrics and inks, you can create stunning designs that stand out. So, get creative, experiment, and have fun with tonal prints!
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