Quick answer: standard plastisol cures at about 320–325°F (160–163°C) through the whole ink layer; low-cure inks made for polyester cure lower — Wilflex Epic Rival Sport at 250–300°F and WM Plastics Brute White at 230°F. DTF transfers usually press at about 285–315°F for 10–15 seconds. Use the chart for your exact ink.
| Ink or process | Cure temperature | Time | Flash (gel) | In stock |
|---|
| WM Plastics All Purpose (AP) plastisol | 325°F (163°C) | 1 to 1½ min | — | Brite Red AP Qt ($36.00) |
| WM Plastics High Opacity (HO) plastisol | 325°F (163°C) | 1 to 1½ min | — | HO Yellow Gold Qt ($40.00) |
| WM Plastics Low-Bleed Poly | 260–325°F (127–163°C) | 1 to 1½ min | — | Lemon Yellow Low-Bleed Poly Qt ($40.00) |
| WM Plastics Brute White (low temp, low cure) | 230°F (121°C) | 1½ to 2½ min | — | Brute White Qt ($33.00) |
| WM Plastics Metallic and Lustre | 325°F (163°C) | 1 to 1½ min | — | Metallic Silver Qt ($40.00) |
| WM Plastics Strong Glow | 325°F | 1 to 1½ min | — | Strong Glow Qt ($89.95) |
| Wilflex Epic Rio RFU colors | 266–320°F (130–160°C) | full cure through the ink film | 220°F (105°C) | Epic Rio Electric Pink 5 gal ($1093.74) |
| Wilflex Epic Rival Sport (low cure, polyester) | 250–300°F (121–148°C) | full cure through the ink film | 160°F (70°C) | Rival Sport White 5 gal ($689.51) |
| Wilflex Epic Quick White | about 320°F | full cure through the ink film | — | Epic Quick White Qt ($31.00) |
| DTF transfers (film + hot-melt powder), heat press | about 285–315°F press temperature | 10–15 sec at medium pressure, then a short post-press | — | CobraFlex DTF powder 5 kg ($156.00) |
How to make sure your prints are fully cured
- Measure the ink, not the dryer setting. The whole ink film must reach cure temperature, not just the surface. Use temperature strips or a probe on the shirt as it runs through the dryer.
- Slow the belt before you raise the heat. Thick deposits (white underbase, puff, high density) need more time in the heat, not just more heat.
- Polyester and blends: use low-cure, low-bleed ink. Dye migration starts as polyester gets hot, which is why low-cure inks such as Epic Rival Sport and Low-Bleed Poly exist.
- Stretch test. Stretch a cooled print; if it cracks or the ink lifts, it is under-cured.
- Wash test the first shirt of a new job.
Equipment that holds steady cure temperatures: automatic presses, Vastex conveyor dryers such as the LittleRed X1-30 ($4270.00), EconoRed II-30 ($8374.00) and BigRed 4D-30 ($16759.00), and flash units like the ROQDry Evolution 9000 M quartz flash ($5725.00).
Sources: cure figures are the ink makers' technical data (WM Plastics "Fusion/Curing" and Wilflex/Avient cure and flash specifications) as shown on each product page at bucketsofink.com; the DTF window is from the CobraFlex DTF powder product page. Always follow the data sheet for the exact ink and lot. Prices are today's Buckets of Ink web prices.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature does plastisol ink cure at?
Most standard plastisol cures at about 320–325°F (160–163°C) through the full ink film. WM Plastics All Purpose lists 325°F for 1 to 1½ minutes.
What is a low-cure plastisol ink?
Low-cure inks cure at lower temperatures to stop dye migration on polyester. Wilflex Epic Rival Sport cures at 250–300°F and WM Plastics Brute White at 230°F.
What flash temperature should I use?
Flash only until the ink is dry to the touch (gelled). Wilflex lists 220°F for Epic Rio and 160°F for Epic Rival Sport.
How do I know if my print is fully cured?
Measure the ink film temperature with temperature strips or a probe, then stretch-test and wash-test a sample shirt. Cracking or lifting means it is under-cured.
What temperature do you press DTF transfers?
Most DTF film and powder combinations press at about 285–315°F with medium pressure for 10–15 seconds, followed by a short post-press.
