Aquarius Water-Based Thickener - 1kg
Concentrated water-based ink additive designed to increase the viscosity of Aquarius™ screen printing inks, providing greater control over ink flow, print definition, and production consistency.
Characteristics
Aquarius™ Water-Based Thickener is a specialty viscosity-modifying additive formulated for use with the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ water-based screen printing ink system from Avient Specialty Inks. It allows printers to increase the viscosity of compatible Aquarius inks when a thicker consistency is required for a particular printing application.
Avient recommends adding Aquarius™ Thickener at approximately 0.1–1% by weight. Because only a small amount is required, the thickener should be introduced gradually and mixed thoroughly until the desired viscosity is achieved.
Increasing viscosity can provide greater control over ink flow and help tailor an Aquarius™ ink formulation to specific production requirements. It is particularly useful when the existing ink consistency is too fluid for the desired application, mesh, stencil, or ink deposit.
Aquarius™ Thickener is part of Avient's complete Aquarius™ additive system, which also includes Retarder, Retarder Gel, Fixer, and Softener for adjusting characteristics such as open time, fixation, cure requirements, and finished hand feel.
The additive is water-based, non-PVC, and non-phthalate. Cleanup is performed with water and mild detergent.
- Concentrated viscosity-increasing additive for Aquarius™ water-based inks
- Helps increase ink body and thickness
- Allows ink viscosity to be tailored to specific printing requirements
- Recommended addition rate of 0.1–1%
- Designed specifically for the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ ink system
- Easy to incorporate into compatible Aquarius™ bases and inks
- Useful for fine-tuning ink consistency during production
- Helps provide greater control over ink flow
- Useful when adjusting ink for specific mesh, stencil, or ink-deposit requirements
- Water-based formulation
- Non-PVC and non-phthalate
- Cleans up with water and mild detergent
- Designed for professional textile screen printing
Aquarius™ Thickener is itself an additive and can be used as part of the broader Aquarius™ additive system when additional ink-property adjustments are required.
- Aquarius™ Retarder: Add 1–3% to increase open time.
- Aquarius™ Retarder Gel: Add 1–5% to increase open time.
- Aquarius™ Softener: Add 1–5% to improve finished hand feel.
- Aquarius™ Fixer: Add 1–10% to improve fixation or reduce cure temperature.
- Aquarius™ Thickener: Add 0.1–1% to increase viscosity.
When combining multiple additives, test the complete ink formulation under actual production conditions to confirm acceptable printability, cure, colorfastness, and durability.
- Use Aquarius™ Thickener at approximately 0.1–1% by weight.
- Start with a small amount and mix thoroughly before adding additional thickener.
- Because the recommended range begins at only 0.1%, small additions can progressively change the viscosity of the ink.
- Add only enough Thickener to achieve the required printing consistency.
- Measure the additive accurately to help maintain repeatable production formulations.
- Mix thoroughly to ensure the Thickener is evenly dispersed throughout the ink.
- Evaluate viscosity after each addition before adding more Thickener.
- Consider the mesh, stencil, desired ink deposit, substrate, and printing conditions when determining the required consistency.
- Follow the printing and curing recommendations for the specific Aquarius™ base or ink being modified.
- Always test the complete formulation on the intended garment before beginning production.
- Verify printability, cure, colorfastness, and durability after modifying the ink.
- Store the product in a properly sealed container when not in use.
Aquarius™ Water-Based Thickener is a viscosity-modifying additive rather than an ink base, pigment, or standalone printing ink. It should be incorporated into a compatible Aquarius™ water-based ink formulation when additional viscosity is required.
The recommended 0.1–1% addition range should be treated as the manufacturer's recommended starting range. Begin with a small addition, mix thoroughly, and evaluate the ink before adding more Thickener.
The appropriate amount depends on the specific Aquarius™ ink being modified and the desired production characteristics. Printing conditions, ink formulation, substrate, mesh, stencil, and desired ink deposit can all affect the final viscosity required.
Excessive modification of the original ink formulation may affect its printing and performance characteristics. Always follow the printing and curing recommendations for the specific Aquarius™ ink or base being modified.
For production work, test the finished formulation on the actual garment and confirm acceptable ink flow, print definition, cure, colorfastness, adhesion, and print durability before beginning the full production run.
- Increasing the viscosity of Aquarius™ water-based inks
- Increasing ink body and thickness
- Fine-tuning ink consistency for production
- Improving control over ink flow
- Adjusting overly fluid water-based ink formulations
- Adapting compatible inks for specific mesh requirements
- Adapting ink consistency for different stencil requirements
- Controlling the desired ink deposit
- Compatible Zodiac™ Aquarius™ ink formulations
- Professional textile screen printing
- Production shops using the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ water-based ink system
