When to add

[EZPZ21]

 Ok , I have read several posts about adding color to plastic BEFORE & AFTER heating . I guess I havent been doing this long enough to know "how much " to add to cold plastic . I was also wondering will the recipies i do have still come out the same if i add it to the cold plastic ? versus heated ?.....and if i see a recipe here at the forum , can i assume its for both cold or heated ?

Also , is the end result the same as far as color , from adding to cold or hot ?
Ive heard one will give a more vibrant color , just cant remember which .
and do you have a preferance ( as an individual )
ok guys , im ready to learn !!!! LOL thanks
EZ

[Billmo]

Well I usually ad my colors to cold raw plastic and then heat.. But I am working off of recipes that I have written down.. If I am experimenting I will still add to raw plastic but keep the color on the light side..

As Denny said in another thread you can always add more color but its really hard to take it away..

Bill Mo

[EZPZ21]

Thanks Bill .... !!!

[superharmonix]

I'm with Bill when experimenting...I always use way less than I think I'll need than add until I get the desired result.  The main thing is ALWAYS right down EXACTLY how many drops you use of which colors, what measurement of pearls or hi-lites, etc.  Sometimes you may have 5 or 6 recipes that only slightly vary from each other, but at least you can always repeat exact results this way.  For example, I have about 6 different colors of Cinnamon Purple, but one I actually call cinnamon Purple, the rest are numbered with no name....I always number every recipe so I can always recall it.

The colorants will almost always give a more vibrant color when added to uncooked plastic vs. cooking then adding, and some fluorescent colors need to be added prior to cooking anyway.  (this is straight from Jason as well as a few other plastisol/colorant folks) 

[EZPZ21]

Thanks Shawn .....

[Billmo]

Sorry I forgot to add that some colors will lighten up when you shoot your mold.. Flouro orange does that for me.. It looks like a dark orange when its in hot plastic, as soon as plastic cools in the mold and you open it is a bright orange..

[andrewlamberson]

Before.

Seems to me you get a lot better ...translucent color.. with X2 in particular...if you add it to cold plastic and mix completely before heating.

[gstott]

I'm glad you asked this question, I've been adding at the end all this time.  Looks like I'll have to go try the new Dragon Tail mold I got today, and this time I'm adding first. 

[BareKnuckleJigs]

I add to cold plastic.  I'll adjust if it isn't quite right, then write it down, and add everything to cold plastic on the next batch.

[Shane D]

Also if you add colorants before heat you are less likely to scorch the plastic. Then add flake before you pour.