How to troubleshoot blotchy & faded inkodye prints

Here are some simple steps to take while printing with Inkodye to ensure a clear end result.

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So your Inkodye print is blotchy or looks faded?

You may have even experienced an extremely faded or blotchy print after you wash your material. Let's explore the reasons why...

You may have even experienced an extremely faded or blotchy print after you wash your material. Let's explore the reasons why...

When coating material, some people have the tendency to want to drench it with Inkodye.

When coating material, some people have the tendency to want to drench it with Inkodye.

But when you expose the material in the sun, extra moisture causes condensation under your negative. This reflects sunlight & prevents it from penetrating the Inkodye and exposing the color fully.

But when you expose the material in the sun, extra moisture causes condensation under your negative. This reflects sunlight & prevents it from penetrating the Inkodye and exposing the color fully.

Here's a close-up of condensation forming under the negative during exposure in sunlight.

Here's a close-up of condensation forming under the negative during exposure in sunlight.

Once the negative is removed after exposure, you can see that the dye is pooling on the surface of the material.

Once the negative is removed after exposure, you can see that the dye is pooling on the surface of the material.

The fully developed dye on the surface of the material rinses away during the washing step, leaving you with a less than satisfactory photographic print :(

The fully developed dye on the surface of the material rinses away during the washing step, leaving you with a less than satisfactory photographic print :(

Since the sunlight was blocked by excess moisture and unable to fully expose and develop the dye that had adhered to the fibers of the material, the print appears faded.

Fix the problem: Less is more! Blotting your material with a paper towel before exposure will greatly reduce your risk of condensation marks. Material should be fully coated and damp, but not soaked.

Fix the problem: Less is more! Blotting your material with a paper towel before exposure will greatly reduce your risk of condensation marks. Material should be fully coated and damp, but not soaked.

Hope this solves your blotchy print problem! See our "Print a Photo on Cotton with Inkodye" guide for step-by-step instructions of how to make an Inkodye print.

  • Add paper towels to your pre-Lumitype prep routine