ICC3801 Foil Adhesive

3801 Foil Adhesive is used to produce brilliant metallic foil designs on textiles.

3801 Foil Adhesive can be printed directly onto the fabric and the foil applied to the dried adhesive. The adhesive can also be printed directly on the foil as a conventional transfer would be printed (mirror image).

Designs made with 3801 Foil Adhesive may be applied to light or dark fabrics.

RECOMMENDED FABRICS 100% Cotton Some Cotton/Polyester Blends 

INK APPLICATION Foil Adhesive 3801 should be  used right out of the container  without any modifications. Stir well prior to each use.

ADDITIVES Not recommend

SCREEN MESH 74-110 monofilament recommended.

EMULSION Any direct or indirect solvent resistant emulsion. Use 50 to 80 micron capillary film for best results.

SQUEEGEE 60-75 Durometer Sharp or beveled edge.

CURE TEMPERATURES Direct Print: 325ºF (163ºC) entire ink film.

Transfer Printing (adhesive on foil): 240°F to 275°F (116°C to 135°C). CLEAN-UP

3801 Foil Adhesive will spot dry, with a very low after flash tack. Dwell time is dependent on the spot dryer used. In some cases, you may have to lower the heat of the spot cure unit because too much heat may actually make the ink tacky. When you spot dry, you are only partially fusing or gelling the surface of the ink. The ink should be just dry to the touch, with no lift off, but not totally fused. Totally fusing the underprint may cause inter-coat adhesion problems with the inks printed on top. Final fusing or curing should occur in the dryer.

Foil is applied colored side up and aluminum looking (dull) side down. Rub foil with eraser immediately after application to help remove any wrinkles. Allow transfer to cool completely (20 to 30 seconds) after application before removal of foil sheet. Pull foil sheet off slowly.

Application Temperature:
300°F to 325°F (149°C to 163°C). Try lower temperature first for best results.

Application Time:
10-15 Seconds.

Application Pressure:
T-Shirts = Medium (40lbs.)
Sweatshirts = Medium to Heavy (40lbs. to 60lbs)

The brightest foil effect will result when the foil is first removed. To achieve a textured matte finish foil, re-seal the garment in the transfer press for 3-4 seconds after the foil carrier film has been removed.

For best durability of the foil after it is applied, it is recommended that the garment be hand washed or machine washed (delicate cycle) inside out, and then line or air dried. Do not use bleach. Do not iron printed area.

Note On Screen Mesh Selection
Recommend: 86 to 110 t/in or 34-43 t/cm mesh for T-Shirts
Recommend: 74 to 86 t/in or 30-34 t/cm mesh for sweatshirts

Test dryer temperatures and wash test printed product before and during a production run.