How to Make Glow in the Dark Ink for screen printing?
Making your own glow in the dark ink is a fun and easy project that can be done with materials that you probably have lying around your house. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps of how to make this cool ink, and show you some fun ways to use it!
How Does Glow in the Dark Plastisol Ink Work?
Glow in the dark ink is made with phosphors, which are materials that emit light when exposed to an energy source. When the ink is printed on a garment and then exposed to light, the phosphors absorb the light energy and store it. Once the lights are turned off, the stored energy is released in the form of glow-in-the-dark light!
What You’ll Need:
To make your own glow in the dark ink, you will need:
• Phosphorescent powder (you can find this online or at a craft store)
• White plastisol ink (you can find this at a screen printing supply store)
• A mixing container
• A stir stick
The process for making the ink is pretty simple
Start by taking the highlighter apart so that you are left with just the ink cartridge. Cut off the tip of the cartridge, and then carefully empty the ink into your container. Once all of the ink is in your container, add a few drops of water and mix it together until you have a desired consistency. And that’s it- your glow in the dark ink is ready to use!
Tips and tricks
- If you want your ink to be more fluorescent, try using a highlighter with brighter ink.
- To make the ink glow even brighter in the dark, add a few drops of phosphorescent paint to it. You can find this type of paint at most craft stores.
- Store your glow in the dark ink in a cool, dark place when you’re not using it. This will help it stay glowing for longer periods of time.
FAQs
Q: Can I use this ink for other purposes besides screen printing?
A: Yes! You can use your glow in the dark ink for all sorts of crafts. Try painting with it, using it to make slime, or even writing secret messages that can only be seen in the dark. The possibilities are endless!
Q: Will the ink stain my clothes or furniture?
A: Unlike regular highlighter ink, glow in the dark ink is non-toxic and will not stain your clothes or furniture. However, we recommend doing a patch test on an inconspicuous area before using it on fabric just to be safe.Have you ever made your own glow in the dark ink? What did you use it for? Let us know in the comments below!
Q: Can I use this ink for other purposes besides screen printing?
A: Yes! You can use your glow in the dark ink for all sorts of crafts. Try painting with it, using it to make slime, or even writing secret messages that can only be seen in the dark. The possibilities are endless!
Q: Will the ink stain my clothes or furniture?
A: Unlike regular highlighter ink, glow in the dark ink is non-toxic and will not stain your clothes or furniture. However, we recommend doing a patch test on an inconspicuous area before using it on fabric just to be safe.
Have you ever made your own glow in the dark ink? What did you use it for? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that you know how to make your own glow in the dark ink, what will you use it for? Will you screen print with it, or use it for another project? Let us know in the comments below! We can’t wait to see what you create!
Do you have any tips or tricks for using glow in the dark ink? Share them with us in the comments below!
Q: Do I need a special kind of highlighter to make this work?
A: Nope! Any old highlighter will do. Just be sure to empty out all of the ink before adding water.
How to choose the best glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink?
| Image | Product | Rated |
|---|---|---|
USE ON FABRIC, PAPER OR CARDBOARD  | Speedball Wood Printing Screen
| Check Price |
Plastisol Inks cure as low as 270°F  | Rapid Cure Plastisol Glow in The Dark Ink
| Check Price |
For use on light colored fabrics  | Speedball Acrylic Screen Printing Ink
| Check Price |
Glow in the dark screen printing ink differs widely based on its ingredients, colors offered, and price. Materials like plastic screens, squeegees, gloves, jars of glow-in-the-dark paint (for working with small surfaces), and helmets are typically used for applying this type of paint. The most important factors to consider when purchasing glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink include brightness level, price, coverage area, and color.
Brightness Level This characteristic determines how noticeable your fabric’s glowing effect will be once it has been exposed to light. Cheaper versions of this product tend to be less bright than their pricier counterparts.
You can use these paints for decorative purposes or special effects but they often emit low levels of light. Brightness is caused by the density of phosphor within the ink. The denser the phosphor, the brighter your fabric will glow in dark conditions.
Price
Glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink typically costs less than $20 per liter for wholesale purchases and around $10 per liter for smaller quantities.
The best deals on this type of paint are available online where you can compare prices across several stores to save money.
Coverage Area and Color
You should consider whether you’ll need only one color or several before deciding which brand to purchase. Some options offer a limited number of colors while others provide an extensive range.
Custom ink manufacturers typically let you choose from a larger spectrum of shades when designing your own.
What types there is glow dark screen printing ink?
Glow in the dark screen printing ink is available in two forms: premixed or custom solutions. The first one has already been mixed to create a phosphorescent charge when applied to surfaces. Custom manufacturing allows you to choose from several shades that aren’t offered by premixed versions.
What are the characteristics of good glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink?
The best glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink provides bright LEVITATING phosphor particles at high concentrations so they emit bright light for outdoor applications. It should come ready to use or easily mixed with water. Avoid products that have been premixed with solvent or other additives.
Before you buy glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink, compare prices across several stores to get the best value for money. Check availability of accessories like gloves and masks if needed. Read customer reviews so you’ll be better informed before making a purchase decision.
SUMMARY
The best glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink offers bright LEVITATING phosphor particles at high concentrations so they emit bright light for outdoor applications.
It should come ready to use or easily mixed with water. Avoid products that have been premixed with solvent or other additives.
Before you buy glow-in-the-dark screen printing ink, compare prices across several stores to find out which one has the lowest price for this paint. Check availability of accessories like gloves and masks too. Read customer reviews to be better informed before making a purchase decision.
Table of Contents