ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder ADHESIVE TECHNICAL INFO

1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 20kg and 120kg.

1 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.
3. Products must be stored in dry conditions.

ECOTRANS® AQ

ECOTRANS® AQ Ultimate Stretch

ECOTRANS® SB

ECOTRANS® SI

Notes:

1. ECOTRANS® SI inks are only compatible with ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesive for 60°C Wash (82-HP-E-82) and ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesive for 90°C Wash (82-HP-A-82).

None.

1. Why are my ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives not melting?

• This can be caused by the melting conditions not being met.
• Check the temperature settings of the tunnel dryer are correct.
• Consider attaching a temperature test strip to the surface of the transfer substrate and putting this through the tunnel dryer to confirm correct melting temperature is attained.
• Check the hot melt powder is reaching the required melting temperature for the entire duration of the melting time and not just for a brief period. The hot melt powder adhesive will transform from matt, rough, opaque, gritty to smooth, semi-gloss, translucent when correctly melted.
• Consider reducing the belt speed of the tunnel dryer to increase the melting duration.

2. Why are my ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives not covering the whole wet screen printed ECOTRANS® ink?

• This can be caused by a malfunction of the powder applicator machine. Ensure the powder applicator machine is operating correctly and able to apply the ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives evenly.
• Ensure the ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives are not damp as this can cause the powder to clump preventing an even layer of powder being applied.
• ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives should be applied immediately after printing. If there is delay then the inks may dry and prevent the ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives from binding correctly.
• Consider the use of the appropriate retarder additive to reduce the ink drying time allowing more time to apply the ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder Adhesives.

3. 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 melting conditions has not be exceeded when using ECOTRANS® Hot Melt Powder 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.

4. 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. 

5. Why are my applied heat transfer labels 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.

6. Why are my applied heat transfers labels 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.

7. 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.

8. Why are my 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 2.6 Published 02 September 2024.