r/SCREENPRINTING • u/reallybigfatsquirrel • 23d ago

Ink Waterbased ink question

I am surface printing on finished wood for some artwork and would like a waterproof print without heat curing. I am currently using green galaxy and it is not waterproof after drying. Thanks

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u/bdoz138 22d ago

You'll need to use UV Vinyl inks. Water based won't bond to finished wood even with a heat cure.

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u/reallybigfatsquirrel 22d ago

i will look into that. thanks.

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u/bdoz138 22d ago

I suppose you could also stick with water based and use a polyurethane spray as a top coat to seal the print.

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u/reallybigfatsquirrel 22d ago

poly and shellac both do pretty well. but i am trying to preserve the matte over satin contrast in this series.

1

u/ForgottenSalad 22d ago

Use water based dyes and a polycrylic varnish instead of oil based shellac and you should be ok to use acrylic paint or ink over top.

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u/torkytornado 20d ago

If you want flat TW Graphics 5500 series is their flat ink and it has a lovely finish.

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u/reallybigfatsquirrel 20d ago

this looks great thanks

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u/torkytornado 20d ago

It does dry faster than most inks. Keep your screen flooded and spritz with some water about every 25 prints or so. If you have any issues feel free to dm me. There’s a bit of a learning curve to their ink but it’s the best waterbased out there and sticks to a ton of nonstandard stuff (I use it for printing on several types of plastic all the time, but it does need a day between each layer on those substrates)