How to Use Screen Printing Foil and Discharge

Screen Printing Foil can be seen on a lot of t-shirts today and combining foil with discharge gives you a soft, eye catching look. Foil will stick to all plastisols, so if you want to combine the foil with discharge or water-based inks then you must add plastisol foil adhesive for desired foil areas.

Foil is an exciting product that adheres to various types of fabrics by using a heat press. Foil transfers can be a valuable asset for any screen printer wanting to create an eye-catching graphic effect. It also makes an interesting alternative for applications that have reflective inks. Foil is a great way to accent any garment. It is simply done by applying foil over plastisol transfers or screen printable adhesives and then using a heat press.

First, print your water-based/discharged design. Once the design is fully cured, then you can print your plastisol foil adhesive on the areas where you would like the foil to stick.

FOIL APPLICATION

• Foil is applied colored side up and aluminum looking (dull) side down. Heat Press at 300°F to 325°F. Allow transfer to cool completely (20 to 30 seconds) after application before removal of foil sheet. Pull foil sheet off slowly.
• It can be helpful to tint the International Coatings 3801LF Foil Adhesive, to the color of the foil being applied, with a small amount of conventional concentrated plastisol (7400 Series). This process will help to keep small pinholes in the applied foil film from being noticeable. As example: Use a few grams of yellow or gold plastisol in the 3801LF Adhesive when using gold foil. Use a few grams of black or gray plastisol in the 3801LF Adhesive when using silver foil.

APPLICATION TEMPERATURE

• 300°F to 325°F (149°C to 163°C). Try lower temperature first for best results.

APPLICATION TIME

• 10-15 Seconds, this time depends on the color of the foil. Certain colors require a longer time.

APPLICATION PRESSURE WITH A HEAT PRESS

• T-Shirts = Medium (40lbs.) Sweatshirts = Medium to Heavy (40lbs. to 60lbs)
• The brightest foil effect will result when the foil is first removed. To achieve a textured matte finish foil, re-seal the garment or hat in the heat transfer press for 3-4 seconds after the foil carrier film has been removed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• For best durability of the foil after it is applied, it is recommended that the garment be hand washed or machine washed (delicate cycle) inside out and line or air dried. Do not use bleach. Do not iron printed area.