Зміст
Plastisol Ink is known for its durability and vibrant colors in garment printing
Plastisol Ink vs Water-Based Ink is a great Using eco-friendly inks can be beneficial for the environment and the printing industry. alternative in the printing industry: Which is Best for Screen Printing?
Ця стаття допоможе вам дізнатися про Plastisol vs water-based ink in screen printing. We will use simple words. We use lists and tables. You will see data and facts. We hope this guide helps you pick the best screen printing ink для ваших потреб.
This guide has easy words і clear lists. We add a data table with facts and numbers. You will learn about eco-friendly ink, the curing process, і не містить ПВХ options. We also talk about brands like Wilflex offers a range of products suitable for both water-based and plastisol inks. is a popular choice in the printing industry for producing high-quality prints on various garments. і Мацуї. We mention rules such as Оеко-Текс and ideas from ZDHC і GOTS.
Let’s begin!
1. Вступ
Screen printing has many ink options. Two main inks are пластизольні чорнила і чорнило на водній основі. Each ink has its own good points and bad points. You may work with cotton або поліестер. You may print on sportswear or eco-friendly clothes. This guide will show you the best ink for your need.
- Пластизольні чорнило is made from PVC and plasticizers. It is thick and needs heat to dry.
- Чорнило на водній основі is made with water. It soaks into the fabric and feels soft.
Many screen printers choose пластизольні чорнила for ease of use and bright colors. Others choose чорнило на водній основі to be kind to the earth, consider using eco-friendly additives in your printing process. We will compare both inks.

2. A Quick Look: Comparison Table
Below is a table that shows key facts for each ink:
Category of inks includes both water-based and plastisol inks for various applications. | Пластизольні чорнило | Чорнило на водній основі |
---|---|---|
Market Use | 65% of printers use it for its довговічність and ease of use. | 28% use it, and it grows 12% each year for being eco-friendly. |
Вплив на навколишнє середовище | Has PVC and phthalates. Curing makes 3.2kg CO₂ per 1kg ink. | 80% lower carbon footprint. It is біологічно розкладається if it is APEO-free. |
Durability is crucial when selecting inks for sportswear garments. | Lasts 50+ washes and keeps bright colors. | Lasts 30-50 washes. Colors can fade if not pretreated. |
Comfort (Hand Feel) | Feels thick and rubbery. Rated 2.8/5 for softness. | Feels soft and light. Rated 4.5/5 for softness. |
Opacity on Dark Fabrics | Gives 95% opacity without extra work. | Needs extra layers for 70% opacity. |
Вартість | Costs $20–$50 per kg. It is cheap to start with. | Costs $30–$70 per kg and may need special dryers like a conveyor dryer. |
Відповідність | 40% do not meet EU REACH rules . | 90% meet Oeko-Tex Standard 100. |
Microplastics | Releases 1,900 tiny fibers per wash, especially on polyester blends. | Releases almost no microplastics, very safe for nature. |
Drying/Curing | Needs heat at 320°F for 60–90 seconds. | Air dry in 15–30 minutes or cure at 250°F for 2–3 minutes. |
Кейс-стаді | А sportswear brand saved 25% on ink costs with plastisol. | Ан eco-apparel company dropped waste costs by 40% with water-based ink. |
3. What is Plastisol Ink?
Пластизольне чорнило is a classic ink in screen printing. It uses PVC and plasticizers. Here are the key points:
- Thick and Viscous: It stays thick until it is cured with heat.
- Висока непрозорість: It gives bright and bold colors even on dark fabrics.
- Легкий у використанні: It is forgiving for small mistakes. This makes it good for beginners.
- Яскраві кольори: You get bright colors, and you can even add special effects like glitter.
- Довговічність: It lasts over 50 washes. It does not fade fast.
Проте є й такі downsides:
- Rubbery Feel: The printed design may feel thick and stiff.
- Not Eco-Friendly: It has PVC and phthalates. This is a problem for the earth.
- High Curing Temperature: It needs high heat (320°F) for 60–90 seconds when working with plastisol print. This can use a lot of energy.
Пластизольне чорнило works well for sportswear. It works best on dark fabrics and when you want bright, strong prints. Many printers like brands like Вілфлекс і Мацуї for this ink.
4. What is Water-Based Ink?
Чорнило на водній основі is a newer type of ink. It mainly uses water as its carrier. This ink has many good points:
- Soft Feel: It soaks in the fabric. The print feels light and is almost not felt.
- Екологічно чистий: It is біологічно розкладається. It is also не містить ПВХ and low in harmful chemicals.
- Breathable: The ink lets the fabric breathe. This is good for clothes like baby wear and organic cotton apparel.
- Smooth Look: It gives a softer, vintage look to the print.
But there are some challenges:
- Longer Drying Time: It takes 15–30 minutes to air dry.
- Lower Opacity: On dark fabrics, you may need extra layers and pretreatment.
- Skill Needed: It can clog screens if not used well. You need more skill to work with it.
For those who care about the earth, чорнило на водній основі is the choice. It is popular among eco-brands that use organic cotton and other natural fabrics. It also meets rules like Oeko-Tex Standard 100 і ZDHC guidelines.

5. Head-to-Head Comparison
Here we compare plastisol vs water-based ink side by side. This will help you see what matters most to you.
A. Durability & Washability
- Пластизольні чорнило
- Lasts over 50 washes.
- Colors do not fade easily.
- Best for heavy use.
- Чорнило на водній основі
- Lasts 30–50 washes.
- Colors may fade if the ink is not pretreated.
B. Comfort & Feel
- Пластизольні чорнило
- Gives a thick, rubbery feel.
- May feel heavy on cotton.
- Чорнило на водній основі
- Feels soft and light.
- Lets the fabric feel natural.
C. Environmental Impact
- Пластизольні чорнило
- Contains PVC and phthalates.
- Releases microplastics and has high carbon emissions.
- Чорнило на водній основі
- Is екологічно чистий.
- Has a low carbon footprint and is nearly free of microplastics.
D. Cost Analysis
- Пластизольні чорнило
- Costs less at $20–$50 per kg.
- Lower ink cost but uses more energy for curing.
- Чорнило на водній основі
- Costs $30–$70 per kg.
- Must buy special dryers sometimes.
E. Best Use Cases
- Пластизольні чорнило
- Ideal for bold sportswear.
- Good for dark fabrics.
- Used in high-volume orders.
- Чорнило на водній основі
- Best for eco-friendly brands.
- Suits organic cotton and baby clothes.
- Ideal for light fabrics and casual wear.
6. Decision Factors: How to Choose
Коли ви обираєте чорнило, подумайте про це 5 points to consider when choosing inks for your garment printing projects.:
- Тип тканини:
- Dark fabrics may do better with пластизольні чорнила.
- Light fabrics and organic cotton do best with чорнило на водній основі.
- Print Longevity:
- If you need prints that last many washes, пластизольні чорнила is the choice.
- If softness is key, try чорнило на водній основі.
- Budget:
- Пластизольне чорнило is cheaper upfront.
- Чорнило на водній основі might cost more but saves on waste and energy costs over time.
- Skill Level:
- Пластизольне чорнило works well for beginners.
- Чорнило на водній основі suits those who have more experience.
- Environmental Rules:
- Know the rules for your market.
- Чорнило на водній основі meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 і ZDHC.
- These are key for eco-friendly brands.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ось деякі списки of mistakes you must not do:
- For Plastisol Ink:
- Do not use it for baby clothes. It has harmful chemicals.
- Do not under-cure. This can cause cracks in the print.
- Do not ignore the high energy cost.
- For Water-Based Ink:
- Do not skip the pretreatment on dark fabrics.
- Do not let the ink dry too long on your screen.
- Do not use it if you are just learning; it needs more care.
It is best to plan your work and follow the instructions for each ink.
8. Поширені запитання
Ось деякі поширені запитання that can help you choose:
Can I mix plastisol and water-based ink?
No, do not mix. They work best on their own. Mixing can cause poor prints, especially when using opaque pigments that don’t blend well.
Which ink is good for stretchy fabrics?
Пластизольне чорнило works well on stretchy sportswear.
Is water-based ink really eco-friendly?
Yes. It is біологічно розкладається and meets rules like Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
Can you print on organic cotton with water-based ink?
Yes, water-based ink is best for natural fibers like organic cotton.
9. Case Studies
Let’s look at some real stories:
- Sportswear Brand Case:
A sportswear brand used пластизольні чорнила. They saved 25% on their ink cost. The prints lasted well even on heavy use. This shows пластизольні чорнила works great for high-volume orders and dark fabrics. - Eco-Apparel Company Case:
An eco-apparel company switched to чорнило на водній основі. They lowered their waste disposal cost by 40%. The soft print was loved by their customers. This shows чорнило на водній основі is a strong choice for eco-friendly brands.
10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
We looked at plastisol vs water-based ink. Here are the main points:
- Пластизольні чорнило:
- плюси: Bright colors, high opacity, easy to use, good for sportswear and dark fabrics.
- мінуси: Thick feel, high energy for curing, not eco-friendly.
- Чорнило на водній основі:
- плюси: Soft feel, eco-friendly, natural look, good for light fabrics and organic cotton.
- мінуси: Longer drying time, lower opacity on dark fabrics, more skill needed.
How to Choose?
Think of your fabric, print longevity, budget, skill, and rules. If you work with sportswear or need bold prints at a low cost, try plastisol inks for screen printing. пластизольні чорнила. But if you care about the earth and want a soft print for organic cotton, choose чорнило на водній основі.
Trend Alert: Some designers like to use hybrid inks. These try to join the good points of both ink types. They can be a good choice if you want to keep the bright feel and lower the harm to our earth.
When you make a choice, use the facts we showed in our table. Know that plastisol vs water-based ink is not just about cost. It is about довговічність, comfort, environment, і ease of use.
Always follow the screen printing kit instructions. Use the right settings on your dryer or conveyor. Clean your tools well. This care helps you make the best screen printing ink last.
Quick Recap: Key Points and Actions
- Know Your Ink:
- Пластизольне чорнило is thick. It is used for bold and bright prints.
- Чорнило на водній основі feels soft. It is good for natural fabrics and the earth.
- See the Data:
- Use our table to compare facts like wash durability, cost, and cure time.
- Consider the Rules:
- Brands must follow Oeko-Tex Standard 100 і ZDHC.
- Eco brands choose water-based to meet these rules.
- Action Steps:
- Check your fabric type and print needs.
- Decide if you want a thick feel або a soft feel.
- Balance your budget with ink cost.
- Practice with one type first if you are new.
- Follow care steps to avoid mistakes.
- Use Good Brands:
- Look for inks from Вілфлекс і Мацуї.
- Read reviews and guide books to know more.
Заключні думки
We hope this guide helps you clear the haze of ink choices in screen printing. Your project may be in sportswear or eco-friendly lines. Use this guide to match the right ink to your need. The facts show that пластизольні чорнила is strong and cost-effective. Чорнило на водній основі is soft, eco-friendly, and better for nature.
Print well. Print smart. And choose the best screen printing ink for your art and business. Enjoy the fun of screen printing and make beautiful prints that last.
Thank you for reading this guide. We wish you the best in your screen printing work!