Hydrographic Printing Methodology Report

Hydrographic Printing Materials Lab Workshop

Objective The Materials Lab hosted a workshop on hydrographic printing, a method of applying printed designs to threedimensional surfaces. Participants learned how to transfer material patterns (including carbon fiber, marble, and wood grain) onto a steel camper mug. The patterns, printed with ink or paint are applied to a water soluble paper. The water soluble paper is placed in a warm water bath to dissolve. A chemical activator is then sprayed over the film allowing the ink to remain floating on the water bath surface in an oil-like state. The material to dip is then immersed into the water with the upward pressure of the water causing the ink to wrap around and adhere to the item.

Hydrographic Printing: Materials Lab Workshop 2

Researchers Advisor Course Semester

Alex St. Angelo Jen Wong Materials Lab Fall 2018

Materials

Sources

Tools

Stainless Steel Camper Mug Ozark Trail 18-Ounce (4” dia.x3.5”D) Aerosol Paint/Primer - Montana Black NC Formula Color: Ivory Hydrographic Prints - Dip Wizard/ Southern Hydrographics Hydrovator* - Dip Wizard/Southern Hydrographics

Camper Mug - Walmart/Jet Aerosol Paint/Primer - UT COOP Hydrographic Prints - Hydrographic Film Supplies/Dip Wizard/Southern Hydrographics/Amazon Hydrovator - Hydrographic Film Supplies/Dip Wizard/Southern Hydrographics/Amazon

Masking Tape Sand Paper Scuff Pad/Abrasive Sponge Latex Gloves Protective Eyewear Olfa Knife Straight Edge Electric Water Kettle Plastic Bin - (10”Wx18”Lx6”D)

*Hydrovator, a type of chemical activator dissolves Poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) paper allowing the ink to remain floating on the water surface in an oil-like state. This product requires specific safety and ventilation equipment (see Material Safety Data sheet).

Material determinant The hydrographic printing process typically works best with solid and rigid materials like metal, plastic or hardwoods. With appropriate preparation, these materials can be primed, painted and then dipped Materials like mdf or soft woods which might absorb water when dipped need to be properly sealed before priming. This workshop utilized stainless steel mugs for the printing process. The mugs were affordable and when properly sanded and cleaned, were simple to prime and print.

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Step 1 Mug Preparation • • • • •

Clean mug with soap and water. The object should be clean and oil free so the paint can adhere to the surface.

Mask any areas using tape that you do not wish to be decorated with paint or the print.

Gently sand the metal surface with a scuff pad or abrasive sponge. This will help the paint adhere to the surface.

Spray object with multiple light coats of neutral color aerosol paint/primer (this will be visible underneath the print).

Allow the paint to dry for 1 hour and then gently sand the surface with fine sandpaper. This will help the print adhere to the surface.

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Step 2 Film Preparation • • •

Choose a printed film pattern and cut to approximately 8” x 16” (The film should cover your dipped mug and fit inside the dipping vessel) Use masking tape to apply a border around the film (this controls the film expansion when the activator is sprayed on the water bath) Determine which side of the film goes into the water bath, using a damp thumb and index finger to pinch the corner of the film. The side that sticks to your finger should go down onto the water bath. Mark the masking tape on the downward side for your reference when dipping.

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Step 3 Water Bath Preparation • • •

Fill a plastic bin approximately 2/3 full with cold water from the hose Add water from the hot water kettle (approximately 1.5 x 1.7 L) Note: Water should be between 80-90 degrees F. This will feel like a warm bath or shower. If the water is not warm, add more hot water.

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Step 4 Film Hydration •

• •

Carefully lay film on top of the water with the sticky side down. This works best if you hold the film at the two furthest corners and bring the corners together so it resembles a sling. Then gently place the film on the water surface working from the center outwards. Try not to get any water on top of the film or allow air bubbles to be trapped below the film

Gently push any air bubbles that may be trapped under the film towards the edge.

Allow the film to hydrate for 60 seconds.

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Step 5 Activation • • • •

Shake the activator* can vigorously Spray activator approximately 12 – 18 inches above film. Spray straight down while moving across the entire film; about 5 seconds of spraying.

The film should have a glassy appearance and have reached a liquefied state. Spray more activator if the film is not liquefied.

Allow the film to activate for 20 seconds. *This product requires specific safety and ventilation equipment (see Material Safety Data sheet).

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Step 6 Dipping • • • •

Dip the mug into the film at approximately a 30-degree angle to the water surface. Roll the mug with a slow, smooth and even motion until the film has adhered to the painted surface (Practice this motion prior to dipping) After rolling, push mug down into the water and agitate gently so residual film and tape moves to the edge of the water bath.

Remove mug from water and wash under gently flowing, warm, tap water for 5 minutes to remove slimy residue from the surface. Do not touch the painted surface while wet as this could smear the print. The mug paint should have a dull appearance when completely rinsed. Allow the mug to air dry.

Optional: Spray mug with an aerosol clear coat to protect print.

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Unresolved Issues While hydrographic printing is a relatively simple method of applying printed designs to three-dimensional surfaces, there is a lot of potential for human error during the dipping process. It is difficult to get a high quality and consistent dip quality without multiple attempts. The workshop took place outside on a very cold and wet morning. These less than ideal dipping conditions necessitated that the water bath be warmer than usual so the temperature would not drop too quickly while the film was hydrating. The film, perhaps because of the cold ambient temperature, required more activator to allow the ink to become completely suspended on the water surface. While the workshop took place under a covered awning, it was almost impossible to ensure that the top side of the film remained completely dry during hydration. Water on the top side of the film will prevent the ink from properly adhering to the mug. Issues with the film during hydration might also be related to the quality of the product from the manufacturer. There were several films that despite repeated attempts, did not properly adhere to the mug when dipped.

Next Steps The film patterns utilized in this workshop were designed and ordered from a company that specializes in hydrographic printing. Further exploration might include designing and printing custom patterns utilizing an inkjet printer and Poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) paper, a water-soluble synthetic polymer paper printed with paint or ink. It is extremely difficult to coordinate the exact location that the print will adhere to the dipped object surface. A paper published in a collaboration between Zhejiang and Columbia Universities proposes a method for computational hydrographic printing, “a new method that inherits the versatility of traditional hydrographic printing, while also enabling precise alignment of surface textures to complex 3D surfaces” (http://www.kunzhou.net/2015/hydrographics.pdf). Without the aid of a detailed computer simulation and machinery for precisely dipping the object, hydrographic printing typically works best with repetitive patterns that are not specific to a given area on the dipped object surface.

Hydrographic Printing: Materials Lab Workshop 10

Hydrographic Printing: Materials Lab Workshop 11