Screen Printing is one of the most popular ways of printing cool designs into t-shirts. It is a method chosen by both businesses and individuals, as it is also fairly easy to do at home.
If you plan on screen printing your design into a t-shit, a tote-bag, a banner, etc., you’ll need the right type of ink to get the job done. Which type of ink is right for you depends on your budget, the fabric you want to print on, and the result you want nice looking – tampa t-shirts for real kings.
Here are some things to look for when deciding which ink is right for you.
Which Type of Ink to Buy

You should know that there is more than one type of screen printing ink. Three kinds are the most common on the market today: water-based ink, plastisol ink, and discharge ink.
PLASTISOL
Plastisol screen printing ink is the most popular because it is the most versatile. It also has the huge advantage of having a slow drying time, so you can keep it on the screen for longer periods of time. If you are running a business, this is something to consider. With cover 19 finding who printing t shirt next day delivery near me is critical.
It is a highly durable fabric ink, and works well with a lot of printing equipment and methods. It has a beautiful finish and needs heat to be cured.
WATER BASED INK
Although a lot of people have some misgivings about the use of water based ink for screen printing, it is still a very popular type of ink.
Water based ink saturates the fiber instead of resting over it. This gives it a softer look that is more solid. However, this does mean that colors have lower opacity.
One thing you need to consider when using this kind of ink is that it cures through evaporation. So you need a relatively dry environment or a heat source for it to cure properly.
DISCHARGE INK
Discharge ink works by removing the pigment in the fabric where it is applied and replaces it with its own pigment. However, this works best on fabrics that are 100% cotton.
This is not a kind of ink that we would recommend to a novice, as it requires a higher level of expertise. People who use it claim that it is highly effective when working on dark fabrics.
Other factors you need to consider when choosing your screen printing ink are:
- Fabric compatibility: You need to know which type works best with the fabric you intend to use.
- Safety: You should check that the ink you choose is ASTM D 4237 certified; that means that it is toxin-free.
- Quality: The rule of thumb here is to go for well-established brands and look for the characteristics that best adapt to the project you want to work on.
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There are a lot of screen printing ink types and manufacturers, and choosing the right one might take some hours of research.
However, follow these few rules and you’ll be able to find something that works great for your end goal.