Print Dark
Print Dark
The Advantages Of Using Water-Based Inks In T-Shirt Printing
The t-shirt printing process uses two major types of inks: water-based and plastisol. Many people have begun using water-based inks more often now compared to plastisol. Knowing the reasons why water-based inks are Better Than plastisol will help t-shirt printing enthusiasts understand which ink is better suited to the design they are going to print.
Plastisol used to be the ink preferred for use in screen printing t-shirts. Plastisol inks are believed to be more durable and long lasting than other types of inks. Fabrics also absorb more of plastisol inks, making them less likely to peel off after repeated washings.
Water-Based Inks Are Environmentally Friendly
However, these attractive qualities of plastisol inks are now also found in new types of water-based inks. Comparing the two major types of textile inks, water-based inks are a much better option than plastisol because they are more environment-friendly. Artists and t-shirt printing companies that have adopted green practices will surely choose water-based inks over plastisol inks.
Water-based inks are easy to use and simply needs water to clean off the t-shirt printing equipment. Plastisol inks, on the other hand, need possibly harmful solvents to clean them off screens aside from containing PVC and phthalates that are non-biodegradable. Water-based inks do not contain ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFC's and HCFC's, aromatic hydrocarbons or any volatile solvents, and lead or any other heavy metal.
Water-Based Inks Produce A Softer Hand
Aside from being environmentally friendly, water-based inks also produce a softer hand than plastisol inks. When t-shirt printers say “soft hand,” it means the ink is thoroughly absorbed into the fabric that you will not feel the surface when you pass your hand over the t-shirt’s design. Because plastisol inks have a “heavy hand,” people think the t-shirt’s design was made of rubber.
Actually, plastisol ink is made of PVC liquefied into a paste without any water-based solvent. Unlike water-based inks, plastisol inks are more solid than liquid. They also have a thicker consistency because they look and feel like paste. This paste-like texture lends that rubbery feel after the design has undergone the curing process where it is exposed to intense heat.
Water-Based Inks Also Have Opaque And Vibrant Colors
Traditional t-shirt printing used to prefer plastisol inks because of the quality of color they produce. The colors used to remain as vibrant as they were newly screen-printed, even after many washing and ironing.
However, because of advancements in chemical science, water-based inks can now match plastisol inks in terms of vibrancy and opacity of colors. Lighter colors can now be printed on dark thick fabrics using water-based inks without resorting to bleaching or discharging the fabric first.
In general, water-based inks are very much as good and reliable as plastisol inks. They are less harmful to our environment and do not have that rubbery feel that plastisol printing or thermal transfer printing produces. More importantly in t-shirt printing, water-based inks produce vibrant designs as well as plastisol inks.
About the Author
T-shirt printing services for both printed work wear and printed sweatshirts on any fabric type and color. Call 0800 046 7633 for a free quote now!
![]() |
![]() GEORGE HARRISON PRINT poster the beatles rickenbacker 12 string dark horse album US $129.99
|
![]() Candle in the Dark gothic skull fairy art CANVAS PRINT US $125.00
|
![]() Dark Procession fairy funeral gothic art CANVAS PRINT US $125.00
|
![]() Dark Mardi Gras masquerade mask gothic art CANVAS PRINT US $125.00
|
![]() Dark Dragon gothic fairy goth fantasy art CANVAS PRINT US $125.00
|
![]() Dark Pegasus fantasy horse fairy goth art CANVAS PRINT US $125.00
|
![]() Dark Ribbon Fairy art gothic fantasy faery CANVAS PRINT US $125.00
|
![]() ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK 3 ART PRINTS POSTERS COA US $99.99
|
![]() Aunia Kahn Print Skull Pinup Print Goth Punk Skeleton Art Lowbrow Dark Woman US $80.00
|
![]() Aunia Kahn Art Print Skull Saint Skeleton Gothic Dark Tattoo Sacred Lowbrow Halo US $80.00
|
![]() Aunia Kahn Art Print Masquerade Mask Carnival Gothic Lowbrow Dark Fantasy Woman US $80.00
|
![]() Ravens Crows Seasons Moon Surreal Sakura Dark Zen Grunge Tree 8x10 Print Set US $75.00
|
![]() LARGE FORMAT PRINT Vampire Woods Dark Gothic Halloween US $75.00
|
![]() LARGE FORMAT PRINT Dark Moon Fashion Witch Landscape US $75.00
|
![]() IRIS AND QUEEN ANNES LACE PRINT FRAMED IN DARK GREEN US $65.00
|
![]() Dark Angel Lilura Painting Original Art Limted Edition Fantasy Print US $64.00
|
![]() Cyberpunk Dark Industrial Fairy Art CANVAS PRINT Vivian US $60.00
|
![]() Framed Canvas Print Painting Gothic Art Goth Dark US $59.99
|
![]() Large Fine Art Nude Black White Photo Print 12x18 Torso Bodyscape Dark US $49.00
|
![]() Chest in the Dark original male art print US $49.00
|
![]() Arabian Horse Art Equine Limited Edition Print The Dark Lady US $44.00
|
![]() Canvas Art Print Landscape Sea Wave Dark Cloud Sunset US $43.90
|
![]() Canvas Art Print Landscape Mountain Lake Dark Clouds US $41.90
|
![]() mermaid siren dark goth gothic water ocean sea nymph lily pad SIGNED A3 print LE US $35.00
|
![]() Dark Mardi Gras skull gothic mask fantasy art BIG PRINT US $29.99
|
![]() Dark Dragon gothic fantasy corset fairy art BIG PRINT US $29.99
|
how to print on dark


US $129.99
























