In the early 1980's the industry's first introduction to UV chemistry was the screen print industry and its ability to print colorful information displayed on the outside of semi trucks. Fergesen was called to replace the older solvent method because the method used then was racking and air drying, which in many towns was being prohibited because of danger to the worker and air pollution to the town. The process changeover was very successful. Fergesen installed UV lamps and developed UV chemistry, which is 100% reactive and means there is no solvent pollution. Also we found many other reasons to use the process such as lower energy, much faster throughput and higher gloss.

Fergesen and CRS recently joined forces to better serve screen printers. CRS International was established in New York City in 1990 and worked closely with Advance Process Supply, American equipment, Nazdar and Rutland. In 1999 they opened their first manufacturing facility and they began their R & D program to develop and manufacture screen print inks in 2002. These inks are now available for sale through Fergesen Design Co.,Inc. After you choose the product you wish from those listed below and are ready to order or have tests done on your substrate to confirm feasibility, contact Dave@FergesenDesign.com.

UV Curable Screen Ink

UV 1000 Series MULTI-PURPOSE UV Curable Screen Ink

This is a multipurpose UV screen ink with superior adhesion to a wide variety of substrates: Coated paper, vinyls, polystyrene, ABS, butyrate, cardboard, hardboard, pyroxyln and Coroplast. It is available in a pre-mix, one-part system, and is ready to use straight from the container.

Finish: High Gloss Coverage: 3000 ft2 per gallon. Suggested screen fabric: Mesh counts 390-465 (156-186T European) monofilament for most applications, Cure: UV cure required using one or more 200, 300 or 600-watt mercury lamps. Lamps and entire systems are available from Fergesen Design Co.,Inc. on products page under American Ultraviolet and Fergesen LLC. Packaging: 1 quart (0.945 Liter) 1-gallon (3.78 liters) 5-gallon (18.9 Liters) All colors are formulated using nonleaded pigments, unless otherwise noted.

Opaque colors available: Super White, Opaque White, Primrose Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Ultra Orange, Holiday Green, Deep Green, Brilliant Blue, Orbit Blue, Regal Blue, Deep Peacock Blue, Fire Red, Satellite Red, Deep Red, Permanent Magenta, Permanent Cerise, Brown, Black

Transparent Colors Available: Process Yellow, Monastral Green, Permanent Blue-R, Process Blue, Permanent Violet, Permanent Red-Y, Permanent Rose Red and Process Red. Pantone matching colors are available upon request.

Other types of UV inks used in the industry are as follows:

UV 2000 series UV-Curable ink for special application not mentioned above

UV 3000 series UV-curable ink designed especially for difficult Coroplast applications

UV 4000 series Thermo formable UV Curable Ink

UV 5000 series Glass/Metal UV curable screen ink - This has superior adhesion to a wide variety of glass. It is a fast-curing formulation and has high resistance to chemicals, scuffing and marring. It is a high-quality UV ink and can be used to print most glass, metal, rubber and some plastics. Opaque colors available: Super White, Opaque White, Primrose Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Ultra Orange, Holiday Green, Deep Green, Brilliant Blue, Orbit Blue, Regal Blue, Deep Peacock Blue, Fire Red, Satellite Red, Deep Red, Permanent Magenta, Permanent Cerise, Brown, Black

Transparent Colors Available: Process Yellow, Monastral Green, Permanent Blue-R, Process Blue, Permanent Violet, Permanent Red-Y, Permanent Rose Red and Process Red. Pantone matching colors are available upon request.

Water based ink:

WBGR 1000 Series Water-Base Multipurpose Graphic Ink

Description: WBGR 1000 is in demand for the characteristics of excellent adhesion and light fastness to most substrates used by graphic printers. WBGR 1000 is a single-part ink series which does not require the exotic additive to improve adhesion.

Stock and End Use: Coated or uncoated papers, vinyl, top-coated polyester, Tyvek, foil, polycarbonate, polyethylene, banner stock, cardboard, styrene materials, certain vinyl plastic coatings, moldings, castings, and extrusions.

Coverage: approximately 1,000 square feet per gallon

Screen fabric: Mesh counts between 230 and 355 monofilament polyester (90-140T European mesh)

Cure/Drying: Air dry, approximately 30 minutes in room temperature air and 50-60 seconds at 190 F forced air drying

Packaging: 1 quart (0.945 liter) 1-gallon (3.78 liters) 5-gallon (18.9 liters)

Colors: Opaque colors available: Super White, Opaque White, Primrose Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Ultra Orange, Emerald Green, Deep Green, Brilliant Blue, Deep Peacock Blue, Fire Red, American Red, Permanent Cerise, Black and extender base.

Transparent Colors Available: Process Yellow, Process Blue, Permanent Red-Y, Permanent Red-B, Process Red and halftone base. Pantone matching colors are available upon request.

Wash-up Solvent:

T-925 Wash up or equivalent

SC-510 Biodegradable wash-up

Solvent dispersed screen inks available as listed in the sections below.

15000 Series All Purpose Ink dispersed in solvent

Stock-use: ABS, acrylic, coated polyester, polystyrene, card stock, coated papers, vinyl, rigid vinyl and synthetic papers.

Description: 15000 series all purpose ink is formulated for indoor and outdoor POP advertising and display applications. It has excellent print quality with high opacity. Note: Pretest on actual substrates before any full production run.

Finish: Scuff resistant, gloss finish

Coverage: 1,000 square feet per gallon through 250 mesh (100T/cm European) monofilament polyester

Opaque Colors Available: Super White, Opaque White, Primrose Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Ultra Orange, Holiday Green, Deep Green, Brilliant Blue, Orbit Blue, Regal Blue, Deep Peacock Blue, Fire Red, Satellite Red, Deep Red, Permanent Magenta, Permanent Cerise, Brown, Black

Transparent Colors Available: Process Yellow, Monastral Green, Permanent Blue-R, Process Blue, Permanent Violet, Permanent Red-Y, Permanent Rose Red and Process Red. Pantone matching colors are available upon request.

7000 Series Multipurpose Screen Ink dispersed in solvent

Description: One ink for various screen printing applications. Mild odor, formulated using non-leaded pigments. 7000 has excellent adhesion and is durable for outdoor exposure. Free of chromate, heavy metal and lead. The 700 series inks are formulated for ultimate economy and convenience in multiple printing such as POP displays, signage and industrial applications. It provides superior adhesion to a wide range of substrates.

Stock/End-Use: ABS, acrylic, butyrate, polycarbonate (Lexan), polystryrene, vacuum formed plastics, pyroxylin, PVC, cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, wood, coated metal and paper

Coverage: 1,000 Square feet (101 m2) per gallon through 250 (European100T) monofilament polyester

Screen Fabric: mesh count 200-350(80T-122T European) monofilament polyester for highest quality results

Drying: Solvent evaporation. Air dry in 10 to 20 minutes: Jet dry in 10 to 15 seconds at 140 to 160 F (60-71C)

Opaque Colors Available: Super White, Opaque White, Primrose Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Ultra Orange, Holiday Green, Deep Green, Brilliant Blue, Orbit Blue, Regal Blue, Deep Peacock Blue, Fire Red, Satellite Red, Deep Red, Permanent Magenta, Permanent Cerise, Brown, Black

Transparent Colors Available: Process Yellow, Monastral Green, Permanent Blue-R, Process Blue, Permanent Violet, Permanent Red-Y, Permanent Rose Red and Process Red. Pantone matching colors are available upon request.

2000 Series Air Dry 2-Part Epoxy Screen Ink

Description and use: 2000 series inks are two-part ink systems and must be initiated with 20900 catalyst prior to use. To initiate 2000 series add 25% 20900 catalyst by weight. Note: pretest on actual substrate before any full production. Ideal for electronic and industrial applications. Excellent adhesion to metal and glass Superior abrasion resistance and chemical resistance, Outstanding screen ability. Free of chromate, heavy metals and lead.

Stock and End Use: Epoxy, melamine, treated polyethylene, treated polypropylene, metals, glass, PC boards. Note: 2000 is recommended for indoor applications.

Finish: High gloss finish. For matte or stain finish, add FP084 flattening powder. Mix 1 to 6 ounces of FP084 with T-967B thinner. Stir to a paste consistency and add mixture to one gallon of 2000 series ink.

Coverage: Approximately 1000 square feet (101m2) per gallon through 250 monofilament polyester

Screen Fabric: Mesh count 200-305 monofilament polyester or stainless steel mesh

Opaque Colors Available: Super White, Primrose Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Ultra Orange, Holiday Green, Deep Green, Brilliant Blue, Orbit Blue, Regal Blue, Deep Peacock Blue, Fire Red, American Red, Satellite Red, Deep Red, Permanent magenta, Permanent Cerise, Brown, Black

Transparent Colors Available: Process Yellow, Monastral Green, Permanent Blue-R, Process Blue, Permanent Violet, Permanent Red-Y, Permanent Red-B Permanent Rose Red and Process Red. Pantone matching colors are available upon request.

NP Series Plastisol Ink for Nylon Fabric

Description: This ink has excellent adhesion to nylon fabrics and excellent opacity on dark and light color backgrounds. It also has excellent flexibility and film strength and is free of heavy metals, aromatic amines and formaldehyde derivatives. It is a single package system ready to print straight from the container. It may also be catalyzed for special printing requirements. Note: Pre-test on actual substrate before any full production run for dye bleeding, adhesion, wash fastness and other desired effects.

Finish: Smooth, stain finish will usually result. Finish varies depending on substrate.

Coverage: Approximately 700 to 900 square feet per gallon (67 m2-85m2 per 3.78 liters)

Screen fabric: Mesh Count up to 230 (92T European Mesh) monofilament polyester

Cure: Heat cure to ensure maximum adhesion for one to two minutes at 275 F (135C).

Special Instructions: When printing textiles use a medium hard ( 65-70) durometer squegee. Plastisols respond to heat. Always store at a temperature below 85 F (29C).

Packaging: 1 quart, 1 gallon, 5 gallon

Bleed Resistant High Opaque Colors: Opaque White, Lemon Yellow, Chrome Yellow, Golden Yellow, Athletic Gold, Burnt Orange, Bright Green, Kelly Green, Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Flag Red and Black

Transparent Colors: Process Yellow, Process Blue, Process Red 9, Magenta and Process Black

Optima CRS 710 is a 100% Biodegradable Screen Wash and Stain remover.

Research has been completed and CRS 710 is now available for sale. It is a unique product which is biodegradable but still works as a solvent and has excellent stain and ink cleaning characteristics.

General Description:
Optima CRS 710 is 100% biodegradable stain remover and is an excellent replacement material for standard screen and press washes. Note, it is made from "green" ingredients which are non-petrochemical solvents.

This product is formulated for use with all types of meshes and rollers. It is in compliance with California Proposition 65 and its environmental regulations.

Advantages of CRS 710:

1. Powerful solvency and exceptional performance
2. Completely water soluble at all temperatures
3. Safe on all fabrics
4. Extremely slow evaporation rate and very low volatile VOC's
5. Non-corrosive, non-carcinogenic, non-ozone depleting
6. Non-HAPS and SARA 313 (superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act) reportable
7. Essentially no oral and inhalation toxicity problem
8. Readily biodegradable and breaking into carbon dioxide and water
9. Easy to recycle
10. No Hazards or Concerns associated with traditional products

Application for screen printers:

Step 1: Remove the emulsion completely from the screen. Spray or wipe manually on both sides of the screen. Then use a non-abrasive scrub brush or pad to agitate all areas of the screen.

Step 2: Allow CRS 710 to remain on the screen a minimum of three to five minutes. Rinse the screen with high-pressure water (1000PSI-1500PSI).