FORCED AIR FLASH DRYERS — A TOOL FOR WATER-BASED SCREEN PRINTERS
When browsing and searching for screen printing equipment, you may have seen a forced air flash dryer device. It exists for a reason, but for what exactly? A forced air flash unit serves a specific purpose, one that makes printers’ lives much easier. Let’s look into it.
WHAT A FORCED AIR FLASH DRYER IS
A forced air flash unit is a dryer that pushes hot air across a print. The flash also has a blower on the back of the device, which provides a steady stream of air throughout the shirt. The airflow helps distribute heat evenly without burning the garment or wooden pallet.
Standard flash units do not push air. Regular flash dryers solely emit heat that gels and/or cures a print. These flash units work well for the majority of print jobs. Forced air flashes are needed for a specific kind of print — water-based prints.
WHY SCREEN PRINTERS WOULD NEED A FORCED AIR FLASH
Print shops that print water-based inks frequently should consider investing in a forced air flash dryer.
To cure water-based ink, the water in the ink first needs to evaporate before the ink can cure. Forced air equipment ensures the water evaporates without burning the garment. It’s possible to cure water-based prints without forced air equipment, but it will take longer to reach full cure and it’s not guaranteed that it will completely cure. A standard flash dryer makes it challenging to determine if all the moisture has been evaporated and there’s a higher likelihood of burning the garment.
Having a forced air conveyor dryer is the most optimal device for curing water-based prints, but it requires a larger investment compared to a flash unit. That’s why many screen printers use a forced air flash: it’s a tool that speeds up the process, increases the quality of the product, and does not break the bank.
TIP FROM THE MECHANICS: Forced air flashes evaporate more than just the water from the ink, they also remove moisture from cotton garments.
When the day comes a printer can get a conveyor dryer, the forced air flash will still be beneficial. Many printers can shorten the dwell time in the conveyor after the print has been flashed by a forced air flash unit. Time is money. Every second counts in production. Minor adjustments can make a significant difference.
A forced air flash dryer is a device that emits heat while pushing hot air evenly across a print. Frequent water-based printers should consider getting a forced air flash unit to reduce the possibility of undercuring prints while streamlining production. Turn up the dial today.
