Plastisols are the most commonly used inks for printing designs onto garments. They’re particularly useful for printing vivid colors on dark fabrics and have the most durability. They are composed primarily of two ingredients, PVC resin and plasticizer. Plastisol inks do not color the fibers like a dye, instead the ink wraps around the fibers and makes a mechanical bond with the fabric. Plastisol inks are innocuous when used with reasonable care. A true plastisol ink contains no air-polluting solvents or volatile organic compounds. The manufacture, transportation, storage, use and disposal of plastisol inks do not cause injury, illness, or environmental contamination as long as the appropriate safety and environmental protection procedures are followed. Advantages: Long lasting vivid colors / brighter whites on dark garments / works on most types of garments and materials with proper bonding agents. Disadvantages: Dark garments require a flash base that increases printing prices and can result in a thicker print / print might crack without proper care or after many washes and repetitive high temperature tumble dry.

Water Base Inks print on light to mid dark colored fabrics

Water base inks are environmentally friendly and print great on textile materials. These inks have an incredibly soft hand making them great for printing on different kinds of applications. Water based inks are free of most environmentally damaging chemicals such as PVC, phthalate, heavy metals, azo compounds, nonylphenos and formaldehyde. Advantages: Exceptionally soft hand / intense pigment colors / ease of use and breath ability of the ink on fabric / works on most type of garments and materials. Disadvantages: Light water base colors print on light colored fabrics only / colors might loose intensity or wash out up to 20% without proper care or after many washes and repetitive high temperature tumble dry.

Discharge Inks print on dark colored fabrics only

Discharge became very popular in the last 15 years but not every screen shop offers this type of ink due to the difficulties and challenges it represents. We’re experts with discharge inks and we’ve mastered this relatively new technique. Though it is not as environmentally friendly as water based inks, discharge inks offer a unique solution for garment decoration. This ink can be printed as direct discharge, dye discharge or used as an under base for water base or plastisol inks. Discharge generates a softer feel on garments and gives a unique vintage look that customers love. Advantages: Exceptionally soft hand / intense pigment colors / ease of use and breath ability of the ink on fabric / works on most 100% cotton garments. Disadvantages: Prints on dark colored 100% DISCHARGE REACTIVE COTTON fabrics only / does not work on poly or poly blend fabrics / some red, purple, royal blue and lime green garments don’t react properly with discharge inks and we can’t guarantee pantone color match on any of this garment colors / whites might look a little tanned on some garments / might require very high temperatures or double drying for proper curing that might affect some garments / colors might loose intensity or wash out up to 20% without proper care of after many washes and repetitive high temperature tumble dry.