By Andrew Peterson - White Fish Printing & Apparel
Wilflex Epic Bolt LC White has become our go-to white ink due to its low-temperature cure requirements, excellent printability, high bleed resistance, opacity, and soft hand feel. The key to success with Epic Bolt LC White is to have the correct ink viscosity before moving into production. This article outlines some simple steps to achieve consistent, high-quality prints while maximizing production efficiency with this ink.
BATCH TO BATCH VARIATIONS
It’s important to note that viscosity can vary between different batches of Wilflex Epic Bolt LC. Even when purchasing the same product, you may notice slight differences in consistency from one container to the next. This natural variation means each batch may require slightly different preparation and handling. Always test and adjust new batches before beginning full production runs, even if you're familiar with the product.
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Here you can see two different batches of Wilfex Epic Bolt LC White with fairly significant viscosity differences.
MIX BEFORE MODIFYING
Always thoroughly mix your ink with a mechanical mixer or paddle before assuming it needs adjustment. Ideally, an ink mixer like the REVOLVINK Mixer should be used for at least 10 minutes prior to production or until the ink reaches the optimal temperature of ~75-85°F (24-29°C). Cold ink will be more viscous and may require warming to achieve optimal performance.
MAINTAIN OPTIMAL PALLET TEMPERATURE
Pallet temperature significantly impacts ink viscosity during production. Keep temperatures between ~130-140°F (35°C to 46°C) for best results. Monitor regularly with an infrared thermometer and adjust flash settings as needed. For longer runs, consider using cooling fans to maintain consistency.
UNDERSTANDING PROPER INK VISCOSITY
Once your ink is thoroughly mixed and at the optimal temperature, it should have a creamy consistency that slowly drips off a spatula, evenly floods a screen with a medium to fast flood, and clears from the mesh with a single print stroke.
These images show two different batches of Wilflex Epic Bolt LC White after 15 minutes of mixing. Both inks were at ~75°F. The image on the left shows the proper viscosity—the ink is creamy and flows off of the scoop without some effort to keep it on. The image on the right shows a batch of ink that is still too thick and needs further modification before going to production.
When Wilflex Epic Bolt has the proper viscosity, it should evenly flood the screen with a medium to fast flood speed. Visual cues can help identify if the ink needs further modification. Use these visual references as a guide to fine-tune viscosity.
The image on the left shows Wilflex Epic Bolt LC White at the correct viscosity, fully clearing the image with a single print stroke. The image on the right shows ink that needs further modification, and is not clearing the image with a single print stroke.
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STRATEGIC USE OF VISCOSITY BUSTER LC
If your ink has been thoroughly mixed and is at the optimal temperature (75-85°F), and the viscosity is still too high, a reducer (Wilflex Viscosity Buster LC K2912) can be added to help achieve the proper viscosity. The key here is to add the minimum amount of reducer needed to get the desired viscosity. Add in small increments of no more than 1% by weight, mixing thoroughly and testing between additions. Do not use more than 3% by weight. Remember that excessive reducer can result in altered printing characteristics, so use sparingly and document successful ratios for future reference. Due to batch variations, the amount of reducer needed may differ between containers, so always test before adding reducer to a new batch.
CONCLUSION
By managing these variables effectively and using visual references as a guide, you'll ensure Wilflex Epic Bolt LC White performs at its best. This ensures superior print quality and production efficiency, helping you achieve consistent, high-quality results in every run.
This guide was written by Andrew from Whitefish Printing & Apparel. Visit their website at whitefishprinting.com or follow them on Instagram at @whitefishprinting.