Find the right flash dryer for screen printing and the conveyor dryer to cure every print. Buckets of Ink carries Vastex RedFlash and AirFlash flash cure units (with the AutoFlash swing-away option), Vastex conveyor dryers from LittleRed to BigRed, and ROQ Sahara conveyor dryers, plus used screen printing dryers and used flash units. Not sure what to buy? Read what size conveyor dryer do I need and gas vs electric conveyor dryers, or call 480-229-7806 for a quote with freight from Tempe, AZ.
Screen Printing Flash Dryer FAQ
What is a flash dryer in screen printing?
A flash dryer is an infrared heater that swings or sits over the platen to gel (partially cure) a layer of plastisol ink between colors, for example flashing a white underbase on dark shirts before printing the top colors. It can also fully cure small runs one shirt at a time.
Do you need a flash dryer for screen printing?
For one-color prints you can cure with a conveyor dryer or heat press, but you need a flash dryer for multi-color work on darks, underbases, and wet-on-dry printing. Most shops buy a flash dryer with their first press.
How do you use a flash dryer for screen printing?
Print the layer, move the flash over the platen, and heat just until the ink is dry to the touch (gelled), usually a few seconds depending on the unit, distance and ink. Then print the next color. Test with a temp gun so you gel the ink without scorching the garment.
Can a flash dryer fully cure plastisol ink?
Yes, for small runs, if the whole ink film reaches full cure temperature. It is slow and uneven for production, so most shops use a conveyor dryer to cure and the flash only to gel between colors.
Flash dryer or conveyor dryer: which should I buy first?
Start with a flash dryer if you print multi-color jobs or on dark garments. Add a conveyor dryer when you need consistent, hands-off curing for production runs. Many starter packages include both.
