Screen Printing Ink Types

Screen printing is one of the best techniques used on fabrics. It offers many benefits, one of which is durability. One of the fundamental factors determining the final look and feel is the screen printing ink types that we will use during the process.

While at Thrive Screen Printing, you can rest assured that we use the highest quality inks. That said, you must know the differences between the types so you can use the best for your business projects.

Let us walk you through the plethora of ink options available and their properties and recommended applications.

Screen Printing Ink Types

Screen printing is one of the most commonly used techniques for different types of fabrics. Durability and a great finish with vibrant colors are just two of the many reasons why you should choose screen printing.

But, before you contact the best contract screen printers, it is important to understand the differences between the screen printing ink types. By choosing the right type of ink, your business can achieve the desired appearance and finish of the T-shirts or any other apparel you have in mind.

So, what ink is used in screen printing?

We can use several screen printing inks to make your T-shirt designs. The most popular ink types are plastisol, water-based, discharge, and metallic.

Plastisol screen printing ink

Plastisol ink is one of the most commonly used screen printing ink for fabric. The ink is composed of polyvinyl chloride, which is known as plastic.

One of the main characteristics of plastisol screen printing ink is that the material does not soak in it. Hence, the results of our screen printing with plastisol ink are continuous films that will sit well on the fabric.

For us, some of the advantages of using plastisol screen printing ink are that it can be stored at room temperature and may have a shelf life of over 15 years. The ink typically cures when exposed to temperatures of 320º F, meaning the ink can’t dry and clog our printers.

Pros	Cons
It doesn’t evaporate	It might crack, peel, or flake off after a long time
Adaptable and durable
Accurate color representation
Affordable ink type

Water-based screen printing ink

Unlike other traditional solvent-based inks, water-based screen printing inks use water as a base. The water is the main solvent that carries the pigment, while the binder can be acrylic, polyurethane, or a mixture of both.

The most popular water-based inks we use are lacquer, matte, and emulsion. The lacquer can be used no matter the shirt color, from dark to light-colored garments.

When we use water-based screen printing ink, we lay down a thin and flexible layer of it on the garment. One of the challenges we face when working with this ink type is evaporation, making it hard to work with.

Additionally, if you are looking for an environmentally friendly ink, water-based is the right choice. These ink types are typically made with fewer toxins. They also reduce air pollution because the water-based screen printing method doesn’t release harmful volatile organic compounds.

Pros	Cons
Environmentally friendly ink, without PVC	Possible color shift during curing
Long-lasting ink	Dries quickly and might be difficult to work with
Can produce detailed prints
Soft to the touch and breathable

Discharge screen printing ink

Discharge ink is one of the popular screen printing solutions because of its soft touch and vibrating results. What makes it different from the other ink types are the discharge agents that remove the existing dye from the fabric. After we print the discharge ink on the dyed T-shirt and cure it with heat, it will start reacting with the fabric dye.

We often recommend discharge screen printing ink for dark garments and activewear. Plus, the discharge ink is an outstanding option if you want T-shirts with soft and durable print designs without PVC.

Pros	Cons
Excellent for a vintage look	Might produce inconsistent prints
Suitable for dark-colored garments	Can only be used on pure cotton fabrics
Can be used on folds, pockets, and seams
PVC and phthalate-free ink

Metallic screen printing ink

Metallic has one of the most suitable ink properties for achieving shiny and luxurious results. They are a type of plastisol inks, and the process of applying them to the fabric is generally the same.

At Thrive Screen Printing, you can get both silver and gold metallic finishes. Because of the metallic ink properties, using it only for smaller print designs is recommended. 

Pros	Cons
Best visually appealing results	The ink is thick and might be hard to achieve details
Long-lasting screen printing ink	Costly
Versatile application
Can be used as screen printing ink for paper

What Is Screen Printing Ink Made Of?

The exact ingredients used in screen printing ink depend on the type and manufacturer. However, all screen printing ink types are made out of:

• Pigment
• Carrier or base
• Binder
• Additives

Depending on the screen printing ink type, the base is typically water, oil, or solvent-based. The color pigments are added to the ink to achieve the desired color.

Furthermore, screen printing ink can contain different types of additives like thickeners, retarders, saturates, and cross-linkers to improve the performance and durability of the ink.

Lastly, the binder in the screen printing ink is an important ingredient that enhances the binding of all the components.

How to Select the Best Ink Type for Screen Printing

For you as a customer, the feel, durability, and cost of the screen printing ink should be a priority. To make the right decision, we will compare the ink types so you can easily select the best one for your project.

Desired hand feel

First, you should think about the hand feel of the T-shirt. Plastisol is typically the heaviest screen printing type that has a harsh hand feeling. 

On the other hand, since the fabric absorbs water-based inks, it feels soft to the touch. In addition, T-shirts printed with water-based inks are more breathable compared to other types.

Fabric you want to print on

When it comes to printing on dark garments, plastisol, and discharge types have the best ink properties that allow us to make high-quality prints. But water-based is one of the most durable screen printing inks because it can’t crack or peel off over time.

Brightness

Another important consideration is brightness. Each ink type can produce a specific range of colors and brightness. For instance, plastisol ink produces bright prints because it sits on top of the material, while with water-based inks, we can produce a wider range of colors.

Price

As for the prices, you can request a quote online. Screen printing with Thrive Screen Printing will be a pleasant experience for your business. We have been in the industry for more than 30 years, and our experienced team will be here for you every step of the way.

Conclusion

When it comes to screen printing ink types, there are quite a few options to choose from, and each type has its own unique characteristics. Some common types we mentioned above are plastisol, water-based, discharge, and metallic inks.

The choice of screen printing ink type depends on factors like the hand feel the desired effect like brightness, fabric type, and specific requirements of the project, which may add up to the total cost. It’s best to discuss your idea with us to determine the best ink type for your needs!