How can I confirm the compatibility of silicone hardness with the printing process?
Thick-plate printing (three-dimensional raised surfaces):
If the raised surface height is greater than 1mm, low-hardness silicone (<30°A) will easily collapse under its own weight, so a 35–45°A should be selected. If the raised surface height is less than 0.5mm, a 25–35°A should be selected to ensure a delicate feel.
Multi-layer overprinting (multi-color overlay):
The base layer silicone should be slightly harder than the top layer (e.g., 40°A for the base layer, 35°A for the top layer) to avoid the top layer silicone being too soft, which may cause blurred patterns during overprinting.
Low-temperature curing applications (e.g., heat-sensitive fabrics):
Some low-hardness silicones (<25°A) require high-temperature curing (above 120°C). If the substrate is not heat-resistant (e.g., wool or acetate), switch to a "low-temperature curing medium-hardness silicone" (35–45°A, curing temperature 80–100°C) to avoid damage to the fabric.