Which of these ink types is best for your project?
When it comes to screen printing, ink can make or break a promotional product. How terrible would it be to spend your valuable time painstakingly designing your print, browsing custom apparel options, and then sending off your final order to a screen printer, only to receive a finished product that isn’t what you thought it would be?
Choosing the wrong type of ink for your t-shirts, hats, or tote bags could result in a finished product that you’re not entirely happy with — and nobody wants that.
If you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of screen printing, it’s crucial to work with an experienced screen printer and designer that can help you determine the ink type that will give you the desired look you’re after.
Here at Legacy Screen Printing, we aim to provide all the information you need to make informed decisions while ordering custom apparel. To give you a better idea of your options, let’s take a quick look at two of the main types of ink: Plastisol ink and water-based ink.
Plastisol Ink
Plastisol is a PVC-based ink and a standard for most screen printers. It’s commonly used for textile screen printing and can print on several different clothing items, like hoodies, t-shirts, and tote bags. Most prints made with Plastisol ink sit on top of the material instead of soaking into the fabric like water-based inks.
Pros
Economical. These inks are ready to use straight out of the container, and the process for disposal is relatively easy in most areas. Additionally, since Plastisol ink cannot dry, it can be left on the screens for a significant amount of time, reducing ink waste.
Versatile. One of the main benefits of Plastisol is its use on both light and dark-colored materials. It also comes in various opacities, so the opaqueness of prints can either be dialed up or down.
Easy to use. Since Plastisol ink cannot dry, it won’t clog our screens, and any leftovers remaining after a print job can be reused without diminishing the quality of other completed projects.
Inexpensive. Plastisol is inexpensive for both you and us! That means we can sell it to you for a more affordable price.
Cons
Thicker prints. For those of you wanting a more thin and smoky look to your print, Plastisol might not be the best choice. Plastisol is known for its thicker prints.
No ironing. Since Plastisol is a PVC-based ink, hot temperatures will result in a melty, smeary mess. That means irons and Plastisol-printed tees will not mesh well.
Less breathable. Since Plastisol ink prints are thicker, they’re also less breathable. Our water-based ink is a better choice if you want a thin, lightweight print for your custom t-shirts, sweatshirts, or athletic pants.
Water-Based Ink
The type of water-based ink we’re discussing in this blog is specially crafted for screen printing jobs. This type of ink is a mixture of colored dye, water, and other chemical solvents. The water and solvents work to keep the dye in liquid form. Prints made with water-based ink typically take longer to complete because the water has to be completely evaporated for the print to be thoroughly dried and bonded to the material.
Pros
Thinner prints. Water-based ink soaks into the material instead of lying on top of it, making thinner prints that don’t feel as thick to the touch. Screen printers typically refer to this as the “hand” of the print.
Vintage look. Remember that thin and smoky look we were talking about earlier? Well, water-based ink will give you just that. Ideal for those of you that want a more vintage, worn look.
Lightweight and breathable. Since water-based ink produces thinner prints, this also means you’ll get a more lightweight and breathable design.
Softer feel. Custom apparel pieces created with water-based ink will have a much softer feel than their Plastisol counterparts. So if you’re looking to create loungey tees or jackets that your customers can live in for days, we suggest going with water-based ink.
Cons
Ink dries in screens. Unlike Plastisol ink, water-based ink can dry out. And if the ink is left to dry in one of our screens, it will get clogged or ruined, adding to our production time, as we have to continually clean out our screens to make sure they are well maintained and ready for use.
Can only use it on light-colored fabrics. Water-based ink works best with light-colored fabrics, making darker fabrics nearly impossible to print on. If you want the more vintage look associated with water-based ink but are purchasing apparel made with darker colored material, discharge printing could be a solution.
Discharge ink is a special kind of water-based ink that seeps into the material and uses a discharge agent to remove the material’s original color. That original manufactured color is then replaced with the dye color of your choice.
More expensive. Unfortunately, water-based ink is a little more pricey than Plastisol, but we still work hard to make sure your products are as affordable as possible.
Want to know more about the different ink options available for your order? Contact us today and ask about our inks and pricing options before you decide!
