BENEFITS
- FN-INK™ Metallic Silver can be printed on its own or mixed with other colors, so printers can add a shimmering effect to any print.
- The metallic ink maintains the soft-hand feel printers have loved with the FN-INK™ line.
- It's a vibrant, sparkly ink that's extremely easy to work with, so printers will experience a streamlined production while producing jaw-dropping results.
While FN-INK™ Metallic Silver is a low cure ink, the flakes will reflect heat when cured in an electric dryer. It will slow down the cure process in comparison to other FN-INK™ colors. Proper wash testing should be performed to ensure cure parameters are optimal before running any production.
FN-INK™ Metallic Silver is not a low bleed ink. If printing on a poly or poly blended garment, please consider using a low bleed underbase like FN-INK™ Barrier Black.
Unlock specialty printing today with FN-INK™ Metallic Silver.
FEATURES
- Vibrant & sparkly
- Easy to work with
- Soft-hand prints
- Can mix with other colors or print on its own
RECOMMENDATION FOR USE
Printing direct to fabric: It will print easily through mesh counts ranging from 110–230.
Printing over a base white or another color: 156–230 mesh is recommended for better control of the ink deposit
Adding color to silver: Depending on the shimmer or sparkle effect desired, you can add as much color to FN-INK™ Metallic Silver as needed. You can also add the metallic silver to another ink as a tint. Please note that all silver flake products will introduce a gray value to the ink. Also, not all colors will look the way you want or expect.
Example: You will never get a true red or yellow. The silver flake (composed of black and white values) will tint a red towards a brick shade and a yellow will take on a muddy green look. While colors like royal blue or green take will not change as much as colors like yellow or red. They stay truer to their color while displaying a silver tint. Always test new colors thoroughly before starting production.
If adding white, it is recommended to use a mixing white like FN-INK™ Mixing White. Standard white ink has “opacity boosting additives” that can cover up the silver flake easily. Again, perform a print test to confirm the ink will look and behave as you expect.
*Some colors are inherently translucent and any addition of a clear additive will create a loss of opacity or coverage.
STENCIL & EMULSION GUIDELINES
Any emulsion works with FN-INK™ Metallic Silver. Depending on the needs of the art, mesh counts ranging from 110–230 are best.
MIXING
Be sure to stir the product prior to use. Stir thoroughly. Print and perform a wash test before production.
MODIFYING
The ink is ready to print right out of the container, no modification is necessary. If desired, you can modify it with a curable reducer at up to 5% by weight. If a greater stretch is required for troublesome garments, add FN-INK™ Stretch starting at 5%. Add more if a greater stretch is desired.
PRINTING
Use a 70 durometer or a 65/90/65 squeegee blade to produce an even print with enough flake deposit. Using a blade that is too soft will not properly shear the ink. Using a squeegee with a stiffer, harder blade will result in a thinner ink deposit.
When possible, do a flood print. The flood stroke will pre-fill the stencil and make it easier to fully clear the ink and flake from the screen. It will make a smoother ink deposit.
CURING
Even though FN-INK™ Silver is a low cure ink, FN-INK™ Metallic Silver can reflect heat in electric dryers, which means the metallic ink takes longer to cure compared to the classic line of FN-INK™. Increase your dwell time (retention time in your dryer) or the temperature to ensure the ink reaches full cure.
TESTING & PRECAUTIONS
When testing cured ink, perform a wash test to ensure proper cure prior to going into production. If the silver prompts any issues after a wash test, then the metallic ink did not reach full cure.
CLEAN UP
Use any press wash to clean it up.
STORAGE
Keep container(s) tightly closed. Store in a cool, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight.
