ECOTRANS® AQ PRINTABLE ADHESIVE TECHNICAL INFO

ECOTRANS® inks and adhesives are used to produce soft handle and flexible heat transfer labels for apparel, sportswear, healthcare, workwear and promotional items.

ECOTRANS® inks and adhesives are:

• ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certified
• STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Product Class I compliant
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 6.0 Approved
• Restricted Substance List (RSL) compliant to the World's leading brands
• EU REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 compliant
• RoHS compliant
• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) compliant
• washable up to 95°C
• suitable for printing on or applying to a wide range of substrates
• non-hazardous
• formulated to be free from APEO, cadmium, formaldehyde, organotin, phthalates and PVC

ECOTRANS® AQ Printable Adhesive are water based screen printable adhesives with stretch and resistances to suit a wide range of apparel, sportswear, healthcare, workwear and promotional items. 

82-HA-

Screen

ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® (OEKO-TEX® Label Check)

STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Product Class I

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 6.0

Adidas A-01 Test Standard

Nike, Inc. Chemistry Playbook & Restricted Substance List May 2020

Laundering / Washing

AATCC TM61 Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated

AATCC TM135 Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering

ISO 105-C06:2010 Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering

ISO 105-C08:2010 Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering using a non-phosphate reference detergent incorporating a low-temperature bleach activator

ISO 6330:2012 Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing

Marks and Spencer Fabric Durability (C15)

Marks and Spencer Print Durability (P5)

Dry Cleaning

AATCC TM86 Drycleaning: Durability of Applied Designs and Finishes

ISO 105-D01:2010 Colour fastness to drycleaning using perchloroethylene solvent

Bleach

ISO 105-C09:2001 Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering — Oxidative bleach response using a non-phosphate reference detergent incorporating a low temperature bleach activator

Chlorine

ISO 105-E03:2010 Colour fastness to chlorinated water (swimming-pool water)

Tumble Dry

ISO 6330:2012 Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing

Ironing

ISO 105-X11:1994 Colour fastness to hot pressing

Abrasion

AATCC TM8 Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter

ISO 105-X12:2016 Colour fastness to rubbing

ISO 12947-2: 2016 Determination of specimen breakdown

ECOTRANS® AQ 60°C Wash Adhesive (82-HA-DW)

For domestic washing.

ECOTRANS® AQ 95°C Wash Adhesive (82-HA-IW-WB)

For industrial washing.

ECOTRANS® AQ Retarder (82-AD-RE)

Use up to 5% if the adhesive dries too fast.

Notes:

1. We recommend to only use the additives listed above to ensure the heat transfer labels produced with ECOTRANS® inks, additives and adhesives are STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Class 1 compliant.
2. We recommend not to use >5% of any combination of additives in ECOTRANS® AQ Printable Adhesives. 

None.

This product is designed to be printed on a thoroughly dried print of ECOTRANS® AQ inks.

The completed heat transfer construction can be applied onto the following substrates:

Fabrics

Cotton

Elastane

LYCRA® 

Nylon

Polycotton

Polyester

Spandex

TENCEL™

Notes:

1. Application substrates must be tested for suitability with the ECOTRANS® AQ adhesive prior to production runs being carried out. Always test application fully before beginning production run as there is often considerable variance in substrates from different manufacturers and even between different batches.
2. The release substrate and application substrate must be STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Class 1 compliant to ensure the heat transfer labels produced with ECOTRANS® inks, additives and adhesives are STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Class 1 compliant. 

• ECOTRANS® AQ adhesives must be stirred thoroughly before printing. 
• Print two layers of adhesive with screen mesh of 36T.
• Each print layer must be thoroughly dried as per the drying conditions below before additional layers of adhesives are printed.
• The completed heat transfer construction should be applied as per the application conditions below.

Drying Conditions

ECOTRANS® AQ 60°C Wash Adhesive (82-HA-DW)

Drying Temperature: 90 - 100°C

Duration:  60 s

ECOTRANS® AQ 95°C Wash Adhesive (82-HA-IW-WB)

Drying Temperature: 70 - 80°C.

Duration:  60 s

Bonding / Application Conditions

ECOTRANS® AQ 60°C Wash Adhesive (82-HA-DW)

Pressure: 1 bar

Temperature: 160°C

Time: 12 s

ECOTRANS® AQ 95°C Wash Adhesive (82-HA-IW-WB)

Pressure: 2 bar

Temperature: 200°C

Time: 12 s

Notes:

1. The maximum temperature specified in the drying conditions must not be exceeded.
2. Printed transfers must be allowed to cure for a minimum of 24 hours before application.
3. Standard Wash & Durability Performance will be achieved 48 hours after application.

• The optimum print room temperature is 18-20°C.
• The optimum relative humidity is 50-60%.
• We recommend using in a well ventilated area.
• We recommend that tunnel dryers are turned on and allowed sufficient time to reach the required drying temperatures before printing commences.
• We recommend the use of a humidifier in the printing area to prevent drying-in of the inks on the screen mesh.
• We recommend the use of water misters in the printing area.
• The screen emulsion must be suitable for use with water based inks.
• We recommend a square edged triple layer squeegee with 65/95/65 shA.
• The squeegee must be suitable for use with water based inks.
• For best registration it is recommended that the substrate is conditioned to the ambient temperature and humidity of the print room prior to printing.
• We recommend that the design for the adhesive is slightly larger than the previously printed ink layers to ensure complete coverage.
• We recommend that adhesive is replenished onto the screen in smaller quantities more frequently rather than larger quantities less often to keep the screen open. This will improve production efficiency and reduce downtime as printing will not need to be stopped for screen cleaning.
• If printing is interrupted for more than 5 minutes then the screen mesh must be cleaned thoroughly to avoid adhesive drying in the screen 
• PERFECTOS® Screen Refresher (99-10-83) can be used to keep the screen stable and open when printing small image areas or keeping the ink soft prior to screen washout.

• Remove excess ink from squeegee and screen mesh immediately.
• Remove any remaining ink from the screen mesh with water. A pressurised water-jet will give best results.
• Use PERFECTOS® Cleaner (99-10-82) for final cleaning the of the squeegee and screen mesh to prevent ghosting.
• Ensure all ink is removed from the squeegee and screen mesh to avoid damage.

Notes:

1. If it is not possible to clean the screen mesh immediately then PERFECTOS® Screen Refresher (99-10-83) can be applied to the screen mesh to delay the ink drying. Storing the screen in a plastic bag until it can be cleaned may also be helpful.

Ink Range

1kg, 5kg, 20kg and 250kg.

Additives

1kg, 5kg and 25kg.

Inks

3 years from date of manufacture in unopened containers.

Additives

3 years from date of manufacture in unopened containers.

Notes:

1. Products must be stored in the supplied containers with closed lids.
2. Products must be stored in between 5°C and 35°C, out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources.

ECOTRANS® AQ (82-08-) inks and adhesives are water based inks used to produce stretchable, soft handle and flexible multi-layer heat transfer labels with unrivalled 100% stretch and return memory.  

ECOTRANS® AQ Ultimate Stretch has been developed to provide stretch of up to 200% for single colour tagless heat transfer labels. Suitable applications include tagless care labels on elastic, Lycra, Spandex, intimates and sportwear apparel.

ECOTRANS® (86-OK-)

ECOTRANS® inks are low odour solvent based inks used to produce stretchable, soft handle and flexible multi-layer heat transfer labels.

LITHOTRANS® (10-10-)

A fast-drying vegetable oil based single pack ink system suitable for producing durable printed transfers when used on offset lithographic printing machines. A super high definition transfer that generates photographic quality transfers by co-use of white backer by screen printing ECOTRANS® ATHLETIC 82-08-HS- water based high stretch ink with hot melt powders or printable adhesives. 

None.

1. Why are my printed substrates sticking together (blocking)?

• This is often caused because the prints have not been thoroughly dried.
• Ensure the drying temperature and duration is correct.
• Ensure the drying method has sufficient air flow and extraction to ensure all solvents are removed from the prints.
• Consider increasing the drying temperature and/or duration for larger print designs.
• If printing on a roll-to-roll screen machine, adjust re-wind tension to prevent rolls being re-wound too tightly.  

2. Why are my prints missing details?

• This can be caused by dust, other particles or dried adhesive blocking the screen. Ensure the screen is thoroughly cleaned.
• Dust or other particles can also settle onto the substrate preventing the adhesive from printing correctly.
• Ensure the screen snap-off distance is uniform to prevent uneven squeegee pressure distorting the print.
• Consider using a dyed/yellow screen mesh instead of a white screen mesh for sharper prints.
• Ensure screens are in good condition with a consistent mesh tension accross the screen.

3. Why do my prints feel greasy?

• Prints can sometimes feel greasy and appear to have liquid on the surface.
• This is often caused because the prints have not been thoroughly dried.
• Ensure the drying temperature and duration is correct.
• Ensure the drying method has sufficient air flow and extraction to ensure all solvents are removed from the prints.
• Consider increasing the drying temperature and/or duration for larger print designs.

4. Why are my transfers not releasing from the release substrate?

• Ensure the appropriate release substrate is used.
• Check the release substrate is within its expiry date.
• Confirm the release substrate has been printed on a side with a release coating if not double sided. 
• Check both the inks and the additives are within shelf life and expiry dates.
• Ensure the inks are fully cured before attempting to transfer.
• Ensure a compatible adhesive is used. 
• Ensure that the maximum temperature specified in the drying conditions has not be exceeded when using ECOTRANS® AQ Printable Adhesives.
• Ensure sufficient time has elapsed between printing the inks and adhesives and attempting to transfer. 
• Ensure application temperature is correct. If the platen temperature is too low then the adhesive may not melt completely and therefore not be able to flow into the application substrate correctly. Be aware that the platen temperature can reduce after multiple transfer applications.
• Ensure the platen pressure is correct. If the pressure is too low then the adhesive may not be pushed into the application substrate sufficiently to adhere and pull the printed heat transfer label from the release substrate. Please note that the inlet pressure does not equate to platen pressure.
• Ensure the application dwell time is correct. If the dwell time is too short then the adhesive may not melt completely and therefore unable to flow into the application substrate.
• Ensure the application instructions are followed for cold-peel or hot-peel release substrates.
• Hot Peel release substrates can typically be removed 1-2 seconds after application.
• Cold peel release substrates can typically be removed 10 seconds after application.

5. Why are my transfers changing colour immediately after application?

• Ensure the appropriate release substrate is used.
• To confirm that the discolouration is not due to the release substrate, process this through the drying tunnel and heat-press without having been printed. Some substrates are known to yellow with heat and this can affect the shade of the print.
• Ensure the platen temperature is correct. If the platen temperature is too high this may cause dye migration from the application substrate to the transfer causing discolouration.
• Consider using ECOTRANS® AQ Dye Migration Blocker to reduce discolouration caused by dye migration.
• Consider printing additional layers of ECOTRANS® AQ Dye Migration Blocker. 

6. Why do my prints have liquid pockets on the surface?

• Prints can sometimes appear to have liquid pockets on the surface. 
• This may be caused because the prints have not been thoroughly dried leaving trapped moisture within the transfer.
• Ensure the drying temperature and duration is correct.
• Ensure the drying method has sufficient air flow and extraction to ensure all solvents are removed from the prints.
• Consider increasing the drying temperature and/or duration for larger print designs.
• Ensure the appropriate release substrate is used.
• Ensure the release substrate is stable at drying and application temperatures and does not suffer from shrinkage.

7. Why are my applied transfers not stretching as expected?

• Ensure correct adhesive has been used.
• Ensure correct ink range has been used.
• Confirm that crosslinker has been added to the inks at the specified percentage and mixed thoroughly. Adding excessive crosslinker can reduce the flexibility of the applied heat transfer labels therefore limiting stretch as well as potentially reducing wash & durability performance.
• Consider increasing the number of layers in the transfer construction as a multi-layer transfer usually stretches more than a single layer transfer due to increase film weight.
• Consider using ECOTRANS® AQ Ultimate Stretch  to give the most stretchable heat transfers.

8. Why are my applied transfers tearing when stretched?

• This may be due to inconsistent screen printing of the inks causing an uneven film weight, mesh-marks or pinholes creating weak spots within the transfer.
• Examine each layer after printing and drying to ensure a uniform film thickness.
• Ensure correct adhesive has been used.
• Ensure correct ink range has been used.
• Confirm that crosslinker has been added to the inks at the specified percentage and mixed thoroughly. Adding excessive crosslinker can reduce the flexibility of the applied heat transfer labels therefore limiting stretch as well as potentially reducing wash & durability performance.
• Ensure the application substrate is suitable for the selected ink range and adhesive used.
• This may be caused because the prints have not been thoroughly dried leaving trapped moisture within the transfer.
• Consider using ECOTRANS® AQ Ultimate Stretch  to give the most stretchable heat transfers.

9. Why are my transfers wrinkled or distorted after drying?

• This may be caused because the PET film is not heat stable at the current drying temperature.
• Consider using a PET film that is heat stable at the required drying temperature.
• Consider reducing the drying temperature and increasing the duration if it is not possible to change the PET film.

10. Why are my applied transfers not meeting the expected wash or durability performance?

• This is often caused because the prints have not been thoroughly dried.
• Ensure the drying temperature and duration is correct.
• Ensure the drying method has sufficient air flow and extraction to ensure all solvents are removed from the prints.
• Consider increasing the drying temperature and/or duration for larger print designs.
• Confirm that crosslinker has been added to the inks at the specified percentage and mixed thoroughly. Adding excessive crosslinker can reduce the flexibility of the applied heat transfer labels therefore limiting stretch as well as potentially reducing wash & durability performance.
• Check both the inks and the crosslinker are within shelf life and expiry dates.
• Ensure crosslinker has not been added to the screen printable adhesives.
• Ensure additives are not used in excess of the recommendations.
• Ensure printed substrates have been allowed to stand for a minimum of 24 hours before application. 
• Ensure the applied transfers are given the required 48 hours after application before testing.
• To improve colour fastness to rubbing and abrasion resistance, consider mixing the first printed layer with clear ink or if not possible, print a protective first layer of clear ink.

Please read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before use.

All information is given in good faith but without warranty expressed or implied.

Version 3.13 Published 03 August 2023