Types of Ink Used on Your Custom T-Shirts & Why It Matters

Businesses with memorable brands often have good promotional materials. They have their logo on things like bags, t-shirts, notepad sets, laptop sleeves and others. This is thanks to printers that match the item to the nature of their client’s business. It makes sense for a bookstore to give cloth bags with their logo on it, for example, or a theme park to print their logo on caps or t-shirts.embroidery near me

In making t-shirts, a printing company must do more than match the product to the service. They also have to consider what type of ink works with the job order. Screen printing normally uses one of the three types of ink. Complex prints may use a combination of these. Below, we’ll explain the different types of ink and where you can expect them to be used.

Plastisol ink - for fine, matte details

The majority of printers prefer using plastisol ink. This is an ink-based in polyvinyl chloride or PVC, and is thickened using plasticizer. This ink is easy to mix, versatile, and fade-proof. Because it is viscous, it can be shaped in fine detail, making it a good choice for complex prints with a lot of elements. Plastisol ink also comes in different colours.

Printers like using this because it can stay on a screen for extended periods of time without it clumping up or drying. Plastisol ink works with different printing methods and equipment, and the designs it produces stands up to heat. Once dried, it has a low-gloss finish, perfect for matte designs and flat images. When you look at it from the side, it does not arch or produce raised bumps on the shirt, making it a good choice for logos.screen printing Canada

Water-based ink - for a softer hand feel

In serigraphy, water-based inks are those that soak into the fabric. This is in contrast to plastisol, which sits on the surface of the shirt. Some designs look better with water-based ink since its tendency to sit lower into the material gives the image or the text a softer feel. Water-based inks are also more customizable and are environmentally friendly.

This type of ink needs a longer drying time and must be put under a heat source to cure. It is also semi-transparent, which makes it good for complex designs that need various grades of ink to produce an effect. For printers who can handle them well and have the knowledge and experience, using water-based inks provide more range and creativity.

Discharge ink - for large batches of light-coloured shirts

Discharge ink is mostly water-based, though there are variants that use plastisol. This process involves removing the colour of the fabric on areas where the design will go. Discharge ink is popularly used with 100 percent cotton shirts, since the discharge agent interacts the best with this type of material. It can also be used on cotton blends, with varying degrees of success.

This type of ink is a good option for batches that need to be finished quickly, or ones that need the softest hand feel. Since it works better on lighter t-shirts, its effects won’t look as good on darker coloured shirts. Jobs that need printing on royal blue, forest green, or maroon shirts should use other types of ink.screen printing

Conclusion

The ink used in printing affects the outcome of the design. Printers take into account the shirt colour, the size of the order, and even the details on the t-shirt to determine the ink to be used. Some things, such as eco-friendliness or speed, are also factored in if the client requests it.

For screen printing in Toronto, contact our professional team at Clever Print today. We’re your one-stop-shop for all your customed print products, and we’re happy to help!