ITW Trans Tech: Troubleshooting Guide: Color does not match original part.

Transfer Pad Printing
Troubleshooting Guide
PROBLEM:
Color does not match original master part.

	Cause	Solution
Ink	Ink is too thin; print looks washed out.	Adjust viscosity of ink.
	Ink is cured at high temperature	Try a lower temperature for a longer time.
	NOTE: Make sure ink is releasing from pad. See "Pad is not releasing from part" guidelines.
Cliché (plate)	Cliché has wrong etch depth.	Check depth and remake cliché if necessary.
Cliché (plate)	Wrong etch method is used; screened or solid etch.	Color matcher must know method and depth of etch before formulating.
Material (substrate)	Color of substrate is bleeing through print.	1. Double-hit parts. 2. Print a white background.
	Translucent parts show light bleeding through.	1. Double or triple-hit parts. 2. Print a white background.
	Color of substrate has changed from original color match.	Rematch new color.

Note: When having a color match done, the technician must know the following:
1. What type of ink is being used?
2. Are parts being single or double hit?
3. What is the color of the substrate that is being printed? (If substrate is not black or white, a sample part must be submitted.)
4. Screened or solid type of cliché etch?
5. Depth of etch? How many microns?
6. Is the image going to be printed on a radius, therefore stretching or compressing the ink?

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