Hair-like ink stains on prints

[Meowth]

I really don't know how to describe it well, so I'm including images:





I thought the 'ink-strings' were caused by using unwashed fabric, so I used some up-cycled material that never let me down, but this same thing kept happening, even after I re-did the screen. I've been searching the internet for some answers to this, but have yet to find anything, even a name.

I was hoping someone here could help explain to me what this is, why it's happening, and how to prevent/correct it.

[SkatRadioh]

Something's affecting your stencil. How are you making your stencils?

[oldbox]

Hey!
Are the lines visible in your screen? if not:
my guess is the color is too thick and when you lift the screen strings form and splatter your print.
i didn't have that problem using vaterbased colors for tshirts tough... :/ also:
how is your off-contact?

[Work Of The Devil]

If thats plastisol ink yer putting it on too thick.

[ferg2001]

could be static. something similar happens when pad printing toys. try grounding your rig. sounds crazy but it works (if that is the issue)

[El Roacho]

^this. you need to check your off contact. make sure as you pull the screen naturally lifts away from your substrate as your finishing your pull. also, you could be putting it on too thick. when laying down light colors on dark surfaces you should not have to do any more than two passes. but that looks like some static issues there, a humidifier could help.

[El Roacho]

or grounding, never heard of that, but sounds high tech!

[Meowth]

It's coming up on both the screen and the prints. For what it's worth, I'm using Speedball water-based ink, but like I mentioned, this hasn't happened before. I read somewhere that it could be 'static string,' but couldn't find much help on how to prevent or stop it besides "BUY THIS! THIS WORKS! ONLY THIS WORKS!"

My off contact is normal - same as always, so I know it can't be that. My step up is pretty low-tech: I use some random piece of wood I found as my surface to put the fabric on, though I do this all surrounded by carpet. So...

[Thornysarus]

Test your ink. Looks like it's too thick/old/stringy... Off contact may help. As for static, try pulling your prints while standing in a bucket of water.

[Steph Nitro]

only ever had this with static. (printing on polypropylene and thick PVC) and/or with thick 2 component inks.





....just so you know