Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a stencil to apply ink to a substrate. The ink is forced through the stencil onto the substrate by a squeegee. Screen printing from Texas Custom Printing is a versatile printing technique that can be used to print on a variety of materials, including fabric, paper, and plastic.
⦁ The type of fabric you will be printing on:
Some inks are better suited for certain types of fabrics than others. For example, water-based inks are a good choice for printing on cotton fabrics, while plastisol inks are a better choice for printing on polyester fabrics.
⦁ The design you will be printing:
Some inks are better suited for certain types of designs than others. For example, discharge inks are a good choice for creating a vintage, washed-out look, while solvent-based inks are a better choice for creating high-quality prints with a lot of detail.
⦁ The desired look and feel of the print:
Some inks will give your print a different look and feel than others. For example, water-based inks will produce a soft, comfortable feel, while plastisol inks will produce a more plasticky feel.
⦁ The budget:
Texas Custom offers Screen Printing range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per gallon. It is important to factor in the cost of the ink when making your decision.
⦁ The environmental impact:
Some inks are more environmentally friendly than others. If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your printing, you will want to choose inks that are made with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or water-based inks.
Here are the most common types of screen-printing inks:
Water-based inks:
Water-based inks are the most popular type of screen-printing ink. They are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, and they produce a soft, comfortable feel on the fabric. However, they can be difficult to work with and they do not have as much opacity as other types of inks.
Plastisol inks:
Plastisol inks are thicker and opaquer than water-based inks. They are also more durable and can withstand repeated washing. However, they are not as environmentally friendly as water-based inks, and they can produce a plasticky feel on the fabric.
Plastisol screen printing inks
Discharge inks:
Discharge inks are used to create a vintage, washed-out look. They work by removing the dye from the fabric, rather than adding color. This can be a good option for printing on dark fabrics.
Discharge screen printing inks
⦁ Solvent-based inks:
Solvent-based inks are the most durable type of screen-printing ink. They are also the opaquest and they produce high-quality print. However, they are also the most toxic and environmentally unfriendly type of ink.
Solvent-based screen-printing inks
UV-curable inks:
UV-curable inks are cured by exposure to ultraviolet light. This makes them a good option for printing on fabrics that will be exposed to sunlight, such as swimwear and beach towels.
UV-curable screen printing inks:
Tips for choosing the right screen-printing inks:
⦁ Talk to a professional screen printer. A professional screen printer can help you choose the right inks for your project and can advise you on the best way to use them.
⦁ Do your research. There is a lot of information available online about screen printing inks. Read reviews and compare prices before making a decision.
⦁ Test different inks before making a final decision. This is especially important if you are printing on a new type of fabric or if you are using a new design.
By following these tips, you can choose the right screen-printing inks for your next project and get the best possible results.
