If white screen printing ink changes colour on polyester shoe mesh after heating or storage, record the fabric colour, intended print colour and the stage where the change first appears. Share the actual mesh, material batch and layer sequence so our factory team can review footwear printing ink and whether an anti-sublimation barrier trial is appropriate. Dye migration from the fabric is one possibility. Yellowing and other colour changes need separate review; the symptom alone is not enough to select a migration-blocking ink.
What to check before changing the ink
Start with the material and the timing. These records help define an evaluation; they do not establish the cause on their own.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Material and batch | Mesh fibre and surface finish, if known; supplier and batch reference. |
| Fabric and print colours | The original fabric colour, intended print colour and unwanted colour. |
| First visible change | Whether it appears after printing, drying, heating, forming or storage. |
| Process conditions | Available time and temperature records for the relevant step. |
| Comparison pieces | Photos of the affected print and an unaffected reference or unprinted piece from the same batch, if available. |
| Complete print construction | Base layer, colour layer, topcoat and any existing barrier layer. |
A factory case: mesh colour bleeding after heating
Our factory case notes describe mesh colour bleeding associated with insufficient colour fixation and exposure to high temperature. The proposed directions were to address colour fixation with the mesh supplier and to use an anti-sublimation ink as an isolating layer.
The case supports a direction for evaluation, not a universal production specification. It does not establish a layer thickness, temperature setting or quantified performance result for another material. Evaluate the proposed system on the actual mesh against the agreed requirements before changing production.
Is yellowing the same as dye migration?
Do not assume that every colour change has the same cause. Our factory notes separately describe colour-change problems involving fluorescent colours and yellowing involving a fluorescent finish on mesh. Those cases should not be treated as proof of fabric dye migration.
Describe whether the unwanted colour resembles the fabric dye or appears as general yellowing. Tell us whether fluorescent colours or finishes are involved, and whether the change is limited to one material batch.
Agree the trial before selecting a barrier layer
- Review the material, photos, layer sequence and the step where the change appears.
- Agree whether the next step is a material check, a process review or an ink-system trial.
- Define the trial construction, evaluation conditions and acceptance criteria.
- Compare trial results with the original construction before considering a production change.
Obtain the current TDS and SDS for any proposed product. Mixing, application and conditioning instructions must match the selected grade and material.
Technical support for footwear printing in India
StrideChem is the overseas brand of our factory team in China. We support footwear manufacturers and shoe-material printing businesses in India with material assessment, ink selection and custom formulation discussions. Start with the mesh type, the problem and a photo; detailed process records can follow.
Tell us when the colour changes
Share your fabric colour, print colour and the stage where the defect appears. We can discuss the information or samples needed for an evaluation.
Related printing guides
When and where does the unwanted colour appear?
Record fabric colour, intended print colour and the stage when the change appears: drying, heating, forming or storage. Include whether the defect occurs on one material batch and whether fluorescent colours or finishes are involved.
A photo, material name and defect stage are enough to begin the discussion. Trial samples are free; the customer pays postage.
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