Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive – Enhanced Flexibility & Low-Temperature Cure for Plastisol Inks

Inktek

INKTEK LOW CURE ADDITIVE

Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive solves two of the most common problems in modern garment printing: cracking prints on stretch fabrics, and scorching or dye sublimation on heat-sensitive substrates. A single additive reduces cure temperature to approximately 270–290°F while adding flexibility to the cured ink film — making it essential for athletic wear, tri-blends, performance fabrics, and spandex.

Reduces Cure to ~270–290°F

Adds Ink Flexibility

Prevents Scorch on Tri-Blends

Mix 10–30%

Athletic & Stretch Fabrics

Reduces Dye Migration Risk

Same-Day Shipping Before 3:30 PM CTFree shipping on orders $200+  |  (512) 454-0505

Price range: $34.99 through $89.99

SKU: Printers Choice Stretch Additive Categories: , Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Description

Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive – Stop Cracking on Athletic & Tri-Blend Garments

Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive solves two of the most common problems in modern garment printing: cracking prints on stretch fabrics, and scorching or dye sublimation on heat-sensitive substrates. A single additive reduces cure temperature to approximately 270–290°F while adding flexibility to the cured ink film — making it essential for athletic wear, tri-blends, performance fabrics, and spandex.

Available in Quart, Gallon, and 5-Gallon. Compatible with all Inktek LB and LBX plastisol inks.

Is This the Right Product for Your Job?

Use This When You Need To…
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Prints are cracking on stretch or athletic fabrics

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Printing on tri-blends prone to scorching at 320°F

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Working with spandex, Lycra, or compression fabrics

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Printing on polyester where lower cure temp reduces bleed risk

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Fabric is distorting or yellowing at standard cure temperature

Not the Right Fit If You Are…
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Standard 100% cotton garment printing at normal temps

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High-opacity dark garment underbase work where full coverage is needed

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Polyester jobs where bleed resistance needs to be maximized (use LBX + Gray Blocker)

Key Features

Pairs Best With
Use LBX + Stretch Additive together on polyester — low-cure reduces bleed AND protects fabric
Add Gray Super Blocker underbase on demanding polyester for full two-layer protection

Fixing Cracking Prints, Scorching & Bleed Problems on Stretch & Synthetic Fabrics

Athletic Jerseys & Performance Sportswear
100% polyester athletic jerseys and performance tees require both low-cure temperature and low-bleed ink. Add 15–25% Stretch & Low Cure Additive to Inktek LBX inks to bring cure temperature down while maintaining bleed resistance. Prevents scorch marks and keeps colors true across the full production run.
Tri-Blend Apparel
Tri-blends are among the most demanding fabrics to print. The rayon content scorches, polyester bleeds, and the fine knit requires careful pressure. Adding 20–30% of this additive reduces all three risks simultaneously — lower cure temp, more flexible ink film, reduced bleed exposure.
Spandex & Compression Fabrics
For garments with high spandex or Lycra content — yoga pants, compression gear, athletic base layers — standard plastisol cracks with the first wear. At 25–30% addition, this additive transforms the ink film into a flexible elastic layer that stretches and recovers with the fabric without delaminating or stress cracking.

See It in Action

Mix Ratio Calculator

Enter your ink weight, then select your target ratio to see exactly how much Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive to add.

Select a ratio above to calculate.

Complete Inktek Plastisol Additives — Find the Right Product for Your Job

River City Supply stocks the full Inktek SE additive line. Use the guide below to choose the right product for your specific application.

Process Clear

Soft-hand extender & transparent base
Best for: 4-color process, halftone, fashion soft-hand

Curable Reducer

Pure viscosity reducer with de-tacking agents
Best for: Auto presses, thick inks, wet-on-wet printing

Puff Additive

Creates raised 3D textured prints
Best for: Logos, varsity lettering, fashion texture

Gray Super Blocker

Dye migration barrier underbase for polyester
Best for: Polyester, 50/50 blends, poly-cotton

Stretch & Low Cure

Flexibility additive & low-temp cure
Best for: Athletic wear, spandex, tri-blends

Fashion Base

High-clarity soft-hand color mixing base
Best for: Fashion printing, custom color mixing

Gentle Soft Base

Ultra-soft low-viscosity base
Best for: Premium cotton, ringspun, lightweight tees

CCI Nylon Bonding

Low-temp cure bonding additive for nylon
Best for: Nylon bags, jackets, caps, synthetics

Printable Adhesive

Screen-printable adhesive for foil & flock
Best for: Foil transfer, flock application

Crystalina Fine Flake

Fine metallic flake sparkle plastisol
Best for: Fashion garments, subtle shimmer effects

How to Wash Test Plastisol Prints

Every time you change your ink formula, mix ratio, dryer settings, or substrate — run a wash test before releasing production. This is the only definitive check for cure integrity and wash durability.

Step 1 — Cure a Test Print
Print and cure a test garment at your production dryer settings. Let cool completely before washing.
Step 2 — Wash Hot
Machine wash on the hottest setting with standard detergent. Hot water is the stress test — if it holds here, it holds everywhere.
Step 3 — Repeat 3–5 Cycles
Run 3–5 full wash-and-dry cycles. Under-cured prints typically fail within the first 3 washes. Properly cured prints show no change.
Step 4 — Inspect
Look for: cracking, peeling, delamination, color fade, or ink loss. A properly cured print shows none of these. Also do a stretch test — pull the print firmly and check for cracking.
If prints fail the wash test: First check dryer temperature with a donut probe or temp tape on the actual garment surface (not air temp). If temp is correct and prints still fail, reduce belt speed slightly to increase dwell time. Retest before running production.
Verify Cure at Lower Temperature
When using this additive, standard dryer settings may produce under-cured ink. Run wash tests on every new fabric and dryer combination. Confirm fusion at the new lower target temperature before running full production.
Reduces Opacity
Like all transparent additives, it reduces opacity proportionally. Not suitable for use with high-opacity dark garment underbase inks.
Maximum on Polyester
Keep additions to 25–30% maximum on polyester to preserve bleed resistance. Always pair with LBX inks on poly substrates.
Questions about this product?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected] — Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
River City Supply · Authorized Inktek Distributor Since 2008

Technical Specifications

How to Use Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive:

1️⃣ Measure & Mix – Add 10-15% by weight to your plastisol ink. More can be added, but excessive amounts may affect color vibrancy.
2️⃣ Mix Thoroughly – Stir well to ensure even distribution of the additive.
3️⃣ Print as Usual – Use a 70-110 mesh count for best results, depending on the ink viscosity and design.
4️⃣ Cure at Lower Temperatures – Lower your curing temperature as low as 260°F-280°F (127°C-138°C) to prevent garment damage.
5️⃣ Test Before Production – Always perform a test print and wash test to ensure proper adhesion, flexibility, and cure.

Why Choose Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive?

Designed specifically for screen printers needing extra flexibility and low cure properties, this additive is a must-have for printing on modern stretch fabrics and heat-sensitive materials. By enhancing ink stretch and lowering cure temps, you can expand your printing capabilities, reduce production risks, and create high-quality, long-lasting prints on performance apparel and activewear.

🔹 Take your plastisol prints to the next level with Inktek Stretch & Low Cure Additive – The perfect solution for stretch fabrics and heat-sensitive garments!

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Inktek SE080 Safety Data Sheet

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