Different Types of Ink Used in Screen Printing Techniques

This article helps you learn about screen printing inks. We use short words and simple ideas. You will learn many things. We will talk about screen printing ink types and the best ways to work with them. We share facts, lists, and tables. You will also see data and case studies that help you pick the best ink.

Introduction

Screen printing is fun and useful. It makes art on fabrics, wood, glass, and more. The ink you choose is very important. Ink gives bold colors and good designs. With so many inks, you might wonder: Which ink is best? In this article, we will look at many ink types. We will teach you about each one. We will share tips, facts, and data to help you.

Factors to Choose Screen Printing Ink

When you choose ink, think of these factors:

• Material: Check if you print on cotton, polyester, glass, wood, or plastic.
• Durability: Will the ink last? Look at washability and fade resistance.
• Finish: Do you want a matte vs. glossy finish or maybe a soft-hand ink finish?
• Curing Needs: Some ink cures with heat, others with UV light, or air-dry.
• Eco-Friendliness: Use eco-friendly ink alternatives or phthalate-free ink options.
• Cost: Look at the cost and do an ink cost-efficiency analysis.

Here is a simple list of key factors:

• Ink adhesion testing
• Ink mixing ratios
• Ink storage guidelines
• Screen preparation best practices
• Ink contamination prevention

Types of Screen Printing Inks

Below, we show 7 types of ink. Each type has good points and bad points. Use these ideas to choose your ink.

1. Plastisol Ink

What it is:
Plastisol ink is a favorite for screen printing. It comes from PVC and is very popular for screen printing for apparel. It has Plastisol ink characteristics that give bright, bold prints.

Pros:

• Vibrant colors
• Easy to work with
• Good for high-density ink techniques

Cons:

• It feels stiff unless you add soft-hand ink finishes
• It is not very eco-friendly

Best for:
Good for cotton T-shirts and big designs. Use custom ink mixing services to get the right look.

You can view good Plastisol Ink.
Also check Plastisol Ink.
See more Plastisol Ink.

Brands:
We use brands like Plastisol, Wilflex, Union Ink, and Rutland.
They give help on Plastisol ink troubleshooting.

Tip:
Try tack reducer additives for a better feel. Look at ink transparency levels and ink opacity ratings when you work with white ink opacity in printing.

2. Water-Based Ink

What it is:
Water-based ink is soft. It is a good eco-friendly ink alternative. It goes in deep to give a soft print.

Pros:

• Soft on the fabric (good for stretchable ink for fabrics)
• Breathable print
• Odorless ink solutions make work fun

Cons:

• Takes a bit more time to dry (ink drying time variables)
• Not as bright on dark fabric

Best for:
Organic and lightweight garments. Great for those who need textile printing challenges solved.

Brands:
Good brands are Matsui and Green Galaxy.

Tip:
Check the mesh count for ink viscosity (use fine screen printing mesh sizes). Use ink mixing ratios for better color and ink adhesion testing.

3. Discharge Ink

What it is:
Discharge ink takes away the dye from the fabric. Then it adds a new color. This is called discharge ink applications.

Pros:

• Soft feel to the print
• Great on dark fabrics with underbase ink layers

Cons:

• Needs careful heat, so use ink curing temperature ranges
• Has a short life if not used quick

Best for:
Print on cotton and cotton blends. Look at discharge ink applications for custom designs.

Tip:
Make sure your work area is safe. Use screen reclaiming chemicals for clean work. Add discharge agent to get the right result.

4. UV-Curable Ink

What it is:
UV-curable ink dries quick under UV light. It is a hybrid ink system. It has a strong hold on many surfaces.

Pros:

• Dries in seconds (thanks to flash curing processes)
• No bad smells (no VOCs)
• Use on glass, metal, or plastic

Cons:

• You need a UV lamp (check conveyor dryer setups)

Best for:
Objects that are not fabric. Use on glass and plastic. See UV-curable screen printing inks for more details.

Brands:
Good UV inks are from Kiwo and ENVISION.

Tip:
Look at catalyzed ink activation and pre-reduced ink bases for easy work. Also, check ink jetting consistency on different surfaces.

5. Specialty Inks

What it is:
Specialty inks include many neat types. They can be metallic ink formulations, glow-in-the-dark ink usage, and others like puff ink dimensional effects.

Types include:

• Metallic: Gives a shiny look. Use foil adhesive ink methods to add foil.
• Puff Ink: Gets bigger with heat. It shows puff ink dimensional effects.
• Glow-in-the-dark: Lights up in the dark.

Pros:

• Adds fun and unique vintage print effects
• Good for custom ink mixing services and specialty ink suppliers

Cons:

• Hard to use for beginners
• May cost more (ink cost-efficiency analysis)

Best for:
Special designs and custom prints, like screen printing for posters and special apparel.

Tip:
Use layering ink techniques and overprinting color blending to mix colors well.

6. Sublimation Ink

What it is:
Sublimation ink works with heat. It changes from solid to gas. This is sublimation ink workflows.

Pros:

• Prints that last a long time
• Gives bright and full colors (sublimation ink compatibility)

Cons:

• Works best on polyester
• Needs special heat (heat-transfer ink processes)

Best for:
Great for sportswear and mugs. Use in sportswear and for printing on hard surfaces.

Tip:
Test your ink with textile pretreatment steps. Use sublimation ink workflows to get the best color.

7. Eco-Solvent Ink

What it is:
Eco-solvent ink is low in bad chemicals. It is a non-pvc ink alternative.

Pros:

• Good for outdoor use (bright and long-lasting)
• Works on many surfaces (multi-surface ink adaptability)

Cons:

• Dries slowly (see ink drying time variables)
• Needs careful use for solvent-based ink safety

Best for:
Outdoor banners and signs. Use in ink recycling programs to be green.

Tip:
Check ink rheology studies and use ink viscosity testing to know your ink well.

Comparison Table: Plastisol vs. Water-Based vs. Discharge Ink

Below is a comparison table to help you choose your ink:

Table data based on industry reports and testing[^1].

Best Practices for Screen Printing Ink

Here are best practices to use ink well:

• Pre-Test: Try your ink on a small sample.
• Mesh Count: Use the right mesh count for ink viscosity.
• Curing: Always check ink curing temperature ranges.
• Mixing: Follow good ink mixing ratios with lubricant additives for ink if needed.
• Storage: Use ink storage guidelines to keep your ink safe.

Other tips:

• Squeegee pressure adjustments
• Screen tension calibration
• Stencil creation methods
• Screen printing emulsion types

Troubleshooting Ink Problems

When ink does not print right, use these tips:

• Smudging: May need better flash curing processes.
• Bleeding: Use ink bleeding prevention methods.
• Cracking: Change the ink. Do a quick washability testing.
• Poor Opacity: Add an underbase ink layer and check ink opacity ratings.

Remember, ink adhesion testing and ink transfer efficiency are key to fix mistakes. Also, check ink contamination prevention and ink mixing ratios.

Sustainability in Screen Printing

We care about Earth. Use eco-friendly ink alternatives. Here is how to be green:

• Eco-Inks: Try water-based, discharge, or non-pvc ink alternatives.
• Recycling: Use ink recycling programs and screen reclaiming chemicals.
• Certifications: Look for sustainable ink certifications, like Oeko-Tex and ECOPURE.

Good steps:

• Use sustainable ink certifications and ink performance benchmarking.
• Check recycling programs and ink storage guidelines.

Expert Tips from the Field

Here are some quotes from experts:

• Wilflex Team: “For vintage prints, add discharge ink applications with care and use textile pretreatment steps.”
• Ryonet Blog: “Use screen tension calibration and drop your mesh count for ink viscosity for high-density prints.”
• Matsui: “We recommend ink mixing ratios that suit ink transparency levels and ink adhesion testing.”

These tips help you use hybrid ink systems and follow regulatory ink compliance.

Real-World Applications of Screen Printing Ink

Screen printing ink is used in many ways. Look at these real-world applications:

• Apparel:
• Plastisol ink is great for bold T-shirts.
• Discharge ink applications make soft prints on cotton.
• Glow-in-the-dark ink usage adds fun to kids’ clothes.
• Posters and Signs:
• UV-curable screen printing inks work well on glass and wood.
• Eco-solvent ink is good for outdoor banners.
• Screen printing on wood can be bright with metallic ink formulations.
• Promotional Items:
• Use specialty inks for textiles such as puff ink dimensional effects for custom products.
• Sublimation ink workflows work on mugs and sportswear.
• Try conductive ink applications for tech gadgets.

Data and Case Studies Table

Below is a table with data and case studies from the industry:

Additional Lists to Help You Learn

Below are simple lists to help you with many keywords and ideas. You can use these lists as a cheat sheet.

More Tips and Techniques

Here are some extra tips:

• Plastisol Ink Troubleshooting: Follow proper ink mixing ratios and use ink adhesion testing.
• Water-Based Screen Printing Ink: Use fabric softener interactions and ink transparency levels to create soft, light prints.
• For discharge ink applications, always work in a place with good air.
• For UV-curable screen printing inks, check your ink curing temperature ranges.
• When you use specialty inks for textiles like metallic ink formulations or glow-in-the-dark ink usage, test the ink first.

Other ideas:

• Use heat-transfer ink processes to add fun prints.
• Try foil adhesive ink methods to get shiny prints.
• Use halftone printing techniques to add detail in your art.
• Mix CMYK vs. spot color inks for the best color work.
• Keep an eye on pigment dispersions in ink for bright results.

Internal Links to Learn More

Here are some internal links to help you learn even more:

• Learn more about Plastisol Ink for bright T-shirts.
• Check this useful page on Plastisol Ink to see more examples.
• For more ideas on UV-curable screen printing inks, read our guide on online resources.

These links give you more tips on using different screen printing inks.

Conclusion

Screen printing is fun. You can use many ink types to make art. Whether you choose Plastisol, water-based, discharge, UV-curable, specialty inks, sublimation or eco-solvent, each ink has its best use.
Remember these tips:

• Check your ink curing temperature ranges.
• Use proper mesh count for ink viscosity.
• Follow screen preparation best practices.
• Try ink adhesion testing and ink mixing ratios.
• Stay safe with solvent-based ink safety practices.

Your art will shine with the right ink. Use screen printing workshops and custom ink mixing services to learn more. Always test your ink on small samples. In time, you will be a pro.
Happy printing!