A Comprehensive Guide to Pallet Tack Adhesives for Screen Printing: Choosing Between Spray and Liquid Adhesives

If you're a screen printer, you know how important it is to have your garments secured in place on the printing pallet. The last thing you want is for the garment to shift during the printing process, ruining the final product. To prevent this, screen printers use pallet tack adhesives. In this article, we'll be discussing two types of pallet tack adhesives - spray adhesives and liquid adhesives - and their uses in screen printing.

What are pallet tack adhesives?

Before we dive into the specific types of pallet tack adhesives, let's first define what they are. Pallet tack adhesives are products that are used to hold garments in place on the printing pallet during the screen printing process. They are essential in preventing shifting or movement of the garment, which can ruin the final product.

Spray Adhesives

Spray adhesives are one type of pallet tack adhesive that screen printers use. They come in a can and are sprayed directly onto the pallet. The garment is then placed on top of the adhesive and smoothed out to ensure a tight hold.

Advantages of Spray Adhesives

• Easy to use: Spray adhesives are very easy to use, even for beginners. Simply spray the adhesive onto the pallet, and you're good to go.
• Quick drying: Spray adhesives dry quickly, which is ideal for high-volume printing.
• Reusable: Some spray adhesives can be reused multiple times before needing to be reapplied.

Disadvantages of Spray Adhesives

• Can be messy: Spray adhesives can be messy and get on your hands or other parts of the pallet.
• Can be difficult to remove: If not applied correctly, spray adhesives can be difficult to remove from the pallet.
• Typically more costly.

Examples of Spray Adhesives

Premium Flash Cure Spray Adhesive #1786 is ideal for high speed automatic presses with multiple flashes. It is stable at high temperatures, requires less frequent re-application and maintains tack. Premium Web Pallet Spray Adhesive #1783 is designed to provide tack for textured fabrics, fleece and hoodies. It creates a unique web pattern which dries quickly. Premium Web Adhesive has less over-spray than mist style aerosol adhesives       Premium Mist Adhesive #1787 is great for embroidery and cutting rooms. It can provide a temporary tack or permanent bond on a wide variety of substrates. It may be used to bond cloth, wood, film, plastic, cardboard and more.    

Liquid Adhesives

Liquid adhesives are another type of pallet tack adhesive that screen printers use. They are applied directly to the pallet using a brush or roller. The garment is then placed on top of the adhesive and smoothed out to ensure a tight hold.

Advantages of Liquid Adhesives

• Easy to apply: Liquid adhesives are easy to apply using a brush or roller.
• Can be applied precisely: Liquid adhesives can be applied precisely to specific areas of the pallet.
• Easy to remove: Liquid adhesives are generally easy to remove from the pallet.

Disadvantages of Liquid Adhesives

• Can be time-consuming: Applying liquid adhesives can be more time-consuming than using spray adhesives.
• May require more skill: Applying liquid adhesives correctly may require more skill than using spray adhesives.

Example of Liquid Adhesive

Saati Ultrafix PT Pallet Tack Adhesive can be applied directly onto pallet or on to pallet tape. You can use brush, roller, card or squeegee to spread a thin layer. Simply reactivate it with a sponge and warm water.

Choosing the Right Pallet Tack Adhesive

When choosing a pallet tack adhesive, it's important to consider your specific needs. Spray adhesives are great for high-volume printing and are easy to use. Liquid adhesives, on the other hand, allow for more precise application and are generally easier to remove from the pallet. Consider your printing needs and skill level when choosing the right pallet tack adhesive for you.

Conclusion

Pallet tack adhesives are an essential part of the screen printing process. They ensure that garments stay in place on the printing pallet, preventing shifting or movement during the printing process. Spray adhesives and liquid adhesives are two types of pallet tack adhesives that screen printers commonly use. While spray adhesives are easy to use and quick-drying, liquid adhesives allow for more precise application and are generally easier to remove from the pallet. When choosing a pallet tack adhesive, consider your specific printing needs and skill