The Different Types of Screen Printing Inks for Textiles – and How to Choose the Right One

Screen printing is an effective way of crafting unique designs onto textiles, fabric, felt and nonwoven textile substrates. Knowing the different types of screen printing inks will give you the power to choose the correct one for your next project. This guide will clarify the differences between various types of screen printing inks and explore the range of inks under the PERMASET® brand, helping you choose the best option for your future craft projects.

Types of Screen Printing Inks

There are several screen printing ink types that suit various applications. The various ink types differ in terms of colour vibrancy, chemical composition, durability and breathability. For more on the differences between two popular types of screen printing ink, see our comparison between plastisol and water-based inks. 

Plastisol inks

Plastisol inks are widely used in screen printing due to their ease of application and long open time, which allows them to remain workable on the screen for extended periods before drying. However, it’s important to note that plastisol inks typically contain PVC particles and phthalate plasticisers, making them more harmful to the environment, to users and to anyone wearing the printed T-shirt compared to other ink types.

Water-based inks

Water-based inks, such as PERMASET AQUA, have taken over as the default solution for screen printing. Not only are they much more eco-friendly with fewer harmful chemicals than plastisol inks, they are also known for their vibrancy, softness and breathability. This makes them the best ink for screen printing T-shirts, promotional merchandise and yardage. They also feel nicer against the skin and a great for children’s and baby clothes.

Water-based inks like PERMASET Inks are known for their softness of print and breathability.

Discharge inks

Discharge inks are specialized screen printing inks used mainly for dark fabrics. They work by removing the existing dye from the fabric and replacing it with a new colour. However, matching colours accurately can be challenging and discharge inks might not be suitable for all fabric types. Additionally, they often contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde. As a safer alternative, PERMASET SUPERCOVER First Down White offers similar quality and performance without these concerns. Instead of bleaching out permanent dyes with aggressive chemical additives, PERMASET SUPERCOVER First Down White provides a white base layer over which normal inks can be printed.

Another alternative to discharge inks are High Solids Acrylics or HSAs. Arguably the leaders in this area, PERMASET SUPERCOVER inks are high solids, high opacity inks that are ideal for printing on black or other dark colour T-shirts.

Specialty inks

Specialty ink types are almost infinitely customisable to achieve a truly unique screen print. Some specialty inks include glow in the dark ink, puff inks, thermochromic, metallic and Foil FX sparkle inks. While these inks give you immense creative freedom, they are often usable in specific circumstances and are typically more expensive than traditional solutions, so ensure you know exactly how to use them before embarking on a print project.

Choosing the Right Ink

Choosing the right screen-printing ink for your project is important to ensure that the finished product matches your standards. Below are a number of considerations you may wish to think about when choosing an ink for screen printing.

Fabric type

The right textile screen printing ink for your project will depend on the textile fibre. Both plastisol and water-based inks work well on cotton and synthetic fabric, however the more sustainable textiles such as linen, hemp and silk deserve a more environmentally sustainable solution—water-based inks. For more information, visit our guide on how to screen print on different types of fabric.

Desired print effect

Each type of screen-printing ink produces a different effect on your material. For instance, if you are after a soft and luxurious feel with vivid colours, water based inks are the best option.  Water-based inks deliver prints with minimal ‘hand’, rather than the slightly clammy and heavier feel of plastisol prints.

Water-based inks deliver soft prints with minimal hand. @killermerch_screenprinting.

Environmental considerations

For the environmentally conscious, you would probably choose a water-based ink for your screen printing projects, as they do not contain harmful chemicals like discharge or plastisol inks. Also consider the recyclability of your inks and reusable packaging when making your selection. You should also consider how the inks are made. For example, PERMASET Inks are sustainably manufactured using 100% renewable energy.  For more, see the guide on environmentally friendly screen printing. 

Conclusion

When selecting screen printing inks, it’s helpful to consider the type of textile fibre, the desired print effect (or feel or hand) and the environmental impact.

By taking these factors into account, you can make an informed decision about which screen printing ink is best for your needs and is best for the environment.

PERMASET Inks offers a wide range of screen printing inks, along with easy-to-follow guides and video tutorials to help you get started quickly and professionally. Visit the PERMASET shop to order screen printing inks online or check out the PERMASET Help Centre to learn more about screen printing. your puff print creations so we can showcase your works on our @PERMASET_AQUA Instagram account. 😊

© COLORMAKER INDUSTRIES 2024