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TERMINOLOGY
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DEFINITION
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The
'sticky' or 'tacky' feel a Plastisol print has after
being flash dried or gelled. |
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The
final layer of white printed onto a Plastisol transfer
when high opacity is required. |
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BALANCED PLASTISOL
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A
Plastisol system that can be printed without any further
additives while still maintaining its durability,
light fastness, adhesion and curing properties - even
when it is classified as an additive or auxiliary.
Also known as Curable Plastisol. |
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BLEED
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The
appearance that a printed image has enlarged or spread
beyond the original printed area. Similar in appearance
to the effect of fountain pen ink on blotting paper.
Also know as Wicking or Haloing. |
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BUILD-UP
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The
paste-like deposit that accumulates on the print side
of the screen - caused by the wet ink deposit from
preceding colours in the print sequence that have
not been gelled. |
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The
ability of a printed image, once cured, to be stretched
and return to its original form without any damage
to the ink surface. |
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An
apparent washout of a printed image as a result of
the small fibres of the fabric protruding through
the ink film after the first wash - giving the print
a faded or hairy appearance. |
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FUSE (FUSING)
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The
application of Plastisol transfers on to a garment,
by means of a heat press. There are three important
factors in this process:- heat, pressure and duration. |
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Once
heat is applied to Plastisol the polymers begin to
swell and absorb plasticizer. At the critical point
(160º) it melts and forms a continuous film ensuring
optimal fastness properties. Also known as Curing. |
| GLOSS
VALUE |
The
amount of 'shine' a printed image has, once cured. |
| HAND
(HANDLE) |
How
the printed image feels to the touch, once gelled,
e.g. a thick deposit of ink will feel hard and rough,
whereas a thinner layer will feel softer and therefore
smoother. |
| INK
FILM |
The
layer of ink left on the fabric after printing. |
| INK FLOW |
The
rheology or 'movement' properties of an ink system
while being printed. |
| LIGHTFASTNESS |
The
degree to which the ink can maintain its colour and
integrity with prolonged exposure to UV light. |
| MATT |
Refers
to the microscopic unevenness of the ink film surface
which reduces it's reflectivity or gloss value and
enhances the depth of colour. |
| MATT
DOWN |
The
ability to hold down the small surface fibres of the
fabric resulting in a smooth printed surface, as well
as the ability to maintain this property after the
first wash. |
| MOIRé |
The
undesirable, distinctive pattern that occurs in halftone
printing, caused by the dots in the artwork positives
not aligning with the open area between the mesh strands
of the screen. |
| OPTICALLY
BRIGHT |
A
white that appears 'whiter that white' due to the
slight emission in the blue spectrum. |
| OVERPRINT |
A
second print on top of another print or ink film. |
| PASTELIZATION |
A
reduction in colour intensity due to the introduction
of white or reducing agent. |
| PICK-UP |
When
ink on a printed image is lifted off by the following
screen. This is usually caused by partial gelling
of the ink film prior to printing the next colour. |
| PRINTABILITY |
The
ability to print clear, crisp prints through a variety
of mesh counts. |
| RETARD |
To
slow down the gelling process, particularly when still
on the printing press. |
| SG |
Specific
Gravity. The ratio of weight versus the volume of
a product. (kilogram's versus litres) |
| SHINE |
Refers
to the microscopic evenness of the ink film surface
which causes reflection of light, resulting in a higher
gloss value and lighter colour. |
| SUBLIMATION |
Movement
of fugitive or residual dyestuff in the fabric into
the printed image on the application of heat. |
| SUBSTRATE |
The
surface of fabric onto which an image is to be printed. |
| TACK
VALUE |
The
degree of 'stickiness' of a printed image after flashing
or gelling. |
| UNDERBASE |
The
first print onto which all other colours are overprinted. |
| VISCOSITY |
Thickness
value or the 'resistance' felt when mixing a Plastisol. |
