Transform your art projects with high-quality, water-based screen printing ink solutions

PERMASET FIRST DOWN WHITE Ink has been specifically formulated for use as an underbase (flash white). It is used by trade printers who wish to print on dark fabrics but use regular PERMASET Standard colours or PERMATONE Inks to retain their superior softness and vibrancy. The First Down White should only be used by shops with multi-station print facilities where tight registration can be maintained. 

PERMASET SUPERCOVER WHITE is the premium opaque white ink for printing directly onto dark fabrics. It has the highest levels of titanium dioxide pigment for use on dark coloured fabrics. Excellent opacity in a water-based ink. Despite having been the flagship product in the PERMASET SUPERCOVER range for > 30 years, in more recent times, this style of ink has become popularly known as HSA or High Solids Acrylic.

PERMASET STANDARD WHITE is a soft handle white ink for printing onto light coloured fabrics. It delivers a significantly softer hand than the PERMASET SUPERCOVER White ink, yet still delivers a beautifully crisp white print and looks spectacular when used for white-on-white prints. 

This is probably the biggest problem for people who are starting to use or are changing over to water-based inks, particularly from plastisols, which are very forgiving in this regard. 

Prevention is better than cure, so if you can, keep humidity in the print area above 40-50% RH.  

When people first start, they can use a fine mist of water every 15-20 prints to maintain the moisture of the inks. Many people swear by this method. The most important thing is to flood the screen with a layer of ink (1-2 mm; 1/16-1/10”) and to keep the ink moving. If a screen has been sitting around doing nothing for a while, pull a test print from it onto a scrap t-shirt or piece of fabric. 

If the ink does start to dry on the screen a little, don’t panic. Just pull a print on a test piece, so that as much ink is cleared from the mesh as possible, take a damp rag and clean both sides of the screen, then remove excess moisture with another rag. Reflood the screen, take another test print and then you’re good to go again. 

Mesh count is often a factor. The higher the mesh count, the quicker the ink will dry. Most garment printers use a 43T (110 tpi) mesh. 

Use a good emulsion that is compatible with water-based inks and maintains its integrity and you can get good results even with a coarser mesh. With increased experience, you will eventually master 77-90T (195-225 tpi) meshes for SUPERCOVER and up to 120 T (305 tpi) for PERMASET AQUA and PERMATONE. 

PERMASET Inks are 100% water-based and do not contain any organic (hydrocarbon) solvents. 

Yes, inks within each range can be mixed.  

However, when mixing between ranges, e.g. PERMASET SUPERCOVER® opaque inks with PERMASET AQUA® transparent inks, it is important to exercise caution. First, the opacity of the print will be reduced compared to a print with PERMASET SUPERCOVER® ink alone. This will be particularly noticeable in prints over dark backgrounds. Second, some combinations exhibit slight to significant incompatibility. As above, exercise caution and test first before embarking on a production run.  

PERMASET Inks are incredibly versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces and materials, including:

• Natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and hemp.
• Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex.
• Blends of natural and synthetic fibres.
• Paper and cardstock.
• Wood and untreated timber.
• Leather and suede.
• Some plastics and vinyl

It is important to note that some materials may require additional pre-treatment, such as pre-washing or applying a bonding agent, to ensure the ink adheres properly. Similarly, the specific type of PERMASET Ink you use may be better suited for certain materials than others

PERMASET Inks can be stored for an extended period if they are stored correctly. The shelf life of PERMASET Inks will vary depending on the specific ink and storage conditions, but generally, they can last up to 12 months or more if stored properly.

To store PERMASET Inks, it is recommended to keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and at a temperature between 5-25°C. It is also essential to keep the ink containers tightly closed to prevent any air from entering and drying out the ink.

If you plan to store the ink for an extended period, it is a good idea to shake the containers regularly to ensure the ink’s pigments are evenly distributed. This will help prevent settling and clumping of the pigments.

No, it is not recommended to mix water-based inks and plastisol inks. Water-based inks and plastisol inks are designed to work differently, and their chemical compositions are not compatible with each other.

Water-based inks are made from water-soluble pigments, while plastisol inks are made from PVC particles suspended in a plasticiser. When mixed together, the water-based ink can cause the plastisol to curdle or coagulate, ruining the print and potentially damaging the printing equipment.

If you need to use both types of inks in a print job, it is best to use them separately and not try to mix them together. It is also essential to clean your equipment thoroughly between using water-based inks and plastisol inks to prevent any contamination or mixing of the inks.

Water-based inks and oil-based inks are two different types of inks that are used for various purposes.

Water-based inks are made by mixing colourants with water as a solvent. They are primarily used for printing on paper and other porous surfaces. They are more environmentally friendly than oil-based inks because they do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Water-based inks are also easier to clean up with soap and water.

Oil-based inks, on the other hand, are made by mixing colourants with an oil-based solvent, such as linseed oil or mineral spirits. They are primarily used for printing on non-porous surfaces, such as metal, plastic, and glass. Oil-based inks are more durable and long-lasting than water-based inks and are resistant to fading and water damage. However, they require more time to dry, are more difficult to clean up and contain harmful VOCs.