Screen Printing on Tyvek?

[Dyf]

Hi,

Anyone have any experience of screen printing on Tyvek?

We are doing a project with a local youth club and need to print some time credit notes - basically fake money.

Have tried screenprinting tyvek with water-based ink, the paper prints fine but the ink rubs off. Maybe a solvent based ink would work?

I have also been looking for rag paper or cotton paper which is more like what they use for real money. Anyone know where I can find some cotton paper in the uk? Needs to be quite light weight - less than 100gsm.

Many thanks

[vrooooom]

Real currency paper is provided by Crane from what I understand, and they make text weight papers. I'm sure the actual currency is specially formulated.

You need a different ink, but I'm not sure which. Call up an ink supplier, stat! They don't charge for info.

[squeegeethree]

They make a Tyvek coated for digital printing you could use WB inks on

[Thornysarus]

I was part of the beta test group hired to perfect screen printing and offset printing on tyvek, back when FedEx was considering using it for their envelopes. Before that, it was only available to NASA.

There is a special ink for it... Nasty stuff back then, but maybe it's gotten a bit easier to work with. Nazdar sells it according to their ink chart. I think International Coatings sells it too.

[paul204]

Get a Nazdar catalogue, there is a handy chart at the front that cross-references about 30 substrates with all their ink lines and tells you which are compatible.

Knock yourself out on Tyvek with:

2700 Aquasafe w/flattener
7200 Lacquer w/flattener
9700 All Purpose w/flattener
9800 Poly Plus w/flattener

plus a bunch of UV inks.

[steve w]

I read something about a guy getting arrested for inquiring about currency paper and those ink colors.
Have fun with that

[Dyf]

Thanks for the information, will get in touch with Nazdar in the uk and try and get hold of this stuff I think - 2700 Aquasafe w/flattener.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.

[Thornysarus]

I read something about a guy getting arrested for inquiring about currency paper and those ink colors.
Have fun with that

A dude I worked with way back in the day in Mobile, Al got busted for screen printing C-Notes. The feds came in looking for the press and the plates, not thinking anyone could get that level of detail screen printing. He was hired by Impressions Magazine to push the envelope in fine, process color screen printing.

Never did get to see the actual bills, but I heard they were "flawless."

He did 10 years at the pen in Atlanta.

True story.

[exxxlonghair]

Union Aerotex ink will work on tyvek and it washes up with water. You have to let it cure for a day or so but it's super tough and flexible. I've printed a bunch of glossy vinyl outdoor art with aerotex that can really take a beating.

[alexfugazi]

Wait- all these years I've been screenprinting posters to sell for money, and I could have just been printing the money. Man, I'm such a jerk.