Full Version: Direct Printing on Silk
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
17 Nov 2006
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#1] 17 Nov 2006
The whole concept confuses me a bit. What ink? it will need to bond and be waterproof.
The print head should not touch the item so not even silk dust, (if there really is such a thing), will not get into the head. Silk is a long strand, far longer than cotton that I believe does not fracture as easily, so no problem there.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
17 Nov 2006
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#1] 17 Nov 2006
Jim,
Of the fabric I've seen directly run through printers, (Jacard?) it's been attached (somehow) to a carrier sheet.
Not sure how that's done.
I think it would be necessary to use a solvent-based ink, which would be more a concern over printhead wear, than silk dust.
EDITED: 17 Nov 2006 by DGL
From: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#4]
17 Nov 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 18 Nov 2006
The silk can be purchased in rolls with a paper carrier attached so it can be fed through the printer. The ink used is some kind of acid dye that I don't know much about yet. After printing, the silk has to be steamed to set the ink. Then it goes through an acid wash to remove any unset ink. I bought out a business that had just started doing this and have hired the former owner to be my graphic designer and large format printer. He had started out using an old Epson 9600 but multiple visits from diferent Epson techs have failed to get the old printer working properly. At one point they installed a new print head and after just a few hours of printing I was told there was already a noticable accumulation of silk fibers on the head. I wasn't there to see this and can't explain how or why it happens. I am obviously not at all knowledgeable yet about this process, but I have seen some excellent products that were produced on the old printer before it broke down.
Jim
EDITED: 17 Nov 2006 by PUZZLEHEAD
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#5]
17 Nov 2006
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#4] 6 Sep 2008
The large format Epson printers are actually made by Mutoh.
Knowing that all techs aren't created equal, maybe a second opinion from a Mutoh tech, would shed some light on the problem.
Just guessing, but I would suspect a buildup of silk fiber on the printheads could be caused by static electricity.
The good news is, even if the silk printing operation doesn't pan out, there are plenty of opportunities in large format printing.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#6]
18 Nov 2006
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#4] 6 Sep 2008
Are you sure it was silk fibers and not sizing?
As I said before, silk is very long fibers, maybe a yard long or more. The only way to get tiny scraps is by cutting the fabric.
Try using a lint roller first to remove any tramp surface material whatever it really is.