Curing is one of the most critical steps in the screen printing process—and one of the easiest to mess up. Even if your artwork, screens, and inks are flawless, undercured ink can ruin your hard work. Whether you're running a compact setup or managing full-scale production, here are four conveyor dryer mistakes to avoid and how to fix them.
1. Not Controlling Airflow
It may seem harmless to place your conveyor dryer near a garage door or fan—but even slight breezes can suck heat out of the tunnel, lowering the cure temperature. This leads to inconsistent cures and, worse, undercured prints.
Fix:
- Keep dryers away from drafty areas or direct airflow paths.
- Use a wind flag to gauge airflow.
- Train your team to avoid placing fans near dryers during production.
- Use a Laser Temp Gun to regularly check surface temps and spot irregularities caused by airflow issues.
Pro Tip: Even a small breeze can drop temps 20–30°F—keep your tunnel sealed.
2. Only Measuring Surface Temperature
Laser temperature guns are great for quick checks—but they only measure the surface of the ink, not the body. Plastisol inks need to reach full cure throughout the entire layer. Relying only on surface temp puts your prints at risk.
Fix:
- Use a Donut Probe to simulate ink thickness and measure internal curing temperature.
- Apply Thermolabel Temperature Strips to test garments for a visual cure confirmation.
- Always perform a wash test before running large jobs.
Pro Tip: Target 320–330°F throughout the ink, not just on top.
3. Not Adjusting for Fabric Type or Conditions
Lightweight tees cure faster than heavyweight hoodies. Garment weight, fabric type, and shop humidity all affect cure time. If you run every job on one setting, you’re bound to undercure something.
Fix:
- Document dryer settings for each garment type and ink system.
- Use a Smartro SC42 Hygrometer to monitor shop humidity—moisture-heavy garments require more heat and time.
- Adjust dryer belt speed or temp to compensate for fabric and air conditions.
Pro Tip: Fleece and blends often need 10–15% longer cure time.
4. Overloading the Dryer Belt
Once everything is dialed in, it’s tempting to load up the belt and run full speed. But too many garments at once—especially fleece or hoodies—can soak up heat and lower the tunnel temperature.
Fix:
- Limit how many garments go through the dryer at once, especially thick fabrics.
- Slow the belt slightly when running heavy or moisture-rich garments.
- Consider upgrading to a larger-capacity unit like the Riley Hopkins Conveyor Dryers lineup for more power and control.
Pro Tip: More garments = more heat loss. Don’t overload unless you retest temps first.
Level Up Your Cure Game
Getting a perfect cure isn't luck—it's process, precision, and the right tools. Whether you're troubleshooting problems or refining production, take time to dial in your dryer and environment. Print confidently knowing every garment is ready for wear, wash, and repeat.
Need more help? Check out our full range of screen printing courses and free how-to videos for deeper learning.
Print smart. Cure right. And as always—print fearless.