Specialty Inks for Screen Printing: Plastisol, Shimmer, and More Supplies

Discover the world of specialty inks with a focus on plastisol, shimmer, and screen printing supplies. Enhance your projects with Avient’s innovative screen inks and special effects!

lty inks to make your art bright. Reflective Reflective This article will tell you about plastisol inks, shimmer inks, and we recommend using silver inks for better results. phosphorescent inks are becoming more popular. special effects mor silvere. We will show you data, tips, and steps so that you can produce high density prints like a pro.

We want to help you choose the right ink. We will use many Explore various screen printing techniques that incorporate metallic silver inks. and fluorescent ink applications. We also talk about plastisol ink properties and screen mesh count optimization. You will learn about underbase printing methods, color mixing for neon inks, and many more.

Tip: Print with good care to get the best art.

Below, you will find information on these inks. We have made Here is a list of Here are some frequently asked questions about silver inks and their applications. regarding specialty screen supplies.s, tables, and links so you can learn all the details.

1. What Are Specialty Inks?

Specialty inks are inks that do more than just color a shirt. They add shine, glow, or fun textures. Here are some common inks and what they can do:

• Plastisol Inks: These inks make it easy to formulate a range of colors. high-opacity prints. They are good for cotton garments and can help you produce luxury packaging often incorporates high density and glitter elements. solutions.
• Shimmer & Metallic Inks: These inks have shine. They work well on dark fabrics and for luxury packaging.
• Fluorescent Inks: These inks glow under light. They are used for fun signs and promotional products.
• Puff Inks: These inks make a 3D texture when heated.
• Discharge Inks: These inks take the dye out of the fabric so the print feels soft.
• Water-Based Inks: These inks are eco-friendly and leave a soft print.

2. Plastisol Inks: The Screen Printing Workhorse

Plastisol inks are the most used ink for screen printing. They are a PVC-based ink. They are not water soluble. Here are some important points:

• Good for:
  • Cotton garments
  • Multi-color prints
  • Vibrant colors
• How to use:
  • They must be heated to 290–330°F[^1].
  • They give a thick feel on the fabric.
• Pros:
  • Easy to work with.
  • No drying on screens.
• Cons:
  • They need a special cure.
  • Feel thick on fabric sometimes.
• Top brands and examples:
  • Union Ink, Wilflex, and International Ink.
  • Check out Specialty Inks for Glow in the Dark Yellow Plastisol Ink{:target=”_blank”} for a special look.
  • Also see Specialty Inks for Glow in the Dark Blue Plastisol Ink{:target=”_blank”}.

3. Shimmer & Metallic Inks

Shimmer inks are fun. They add a shiny look to your prints. They have tiny metallic flakes or mica. Here is what you need to know:

• Best for:
  • Dark fabrics
  • Promotional items
  • Event merchandise
  • Luxury print jobs
• How to use:
  • Use with good screen preparation.
  • Follow tips for applying printing inks color blending gradients and emulsion thickness control.
• Tips:
  • Print on polyester fabrics for best adhesion.
  • Use low-cure plastisol benefits to avoid separation of particles in screen inks.
• Top products and brands:
  • Rutland Shimmer Ink.
  • Nazdar 5900 Series.
  • Also see Specialty Inks for Glow in the Dark Pink Plastisol Ink.

4. Other Specialty Inks and Their Uses

There are many inks for different uses. Let’s look at a few more:

• Fluorescent Inks:
  • They work under UV light.
  • Fluorescent ink applications make bright signs.
  • They last for many washes.
  • Washfastness of fluorescent inks is high (85% vibrancy after 25 washes.
• Puff Inks:
  • They puff up when pressed with heat.
  • They are used to add extra style.
• Discharge Inks:
  • They remove the dye from your fabric.
  • Result: A soft and natural print.
  • Discharge printing basics are key for dark-shirt printing.
• Water-Based Inks:
  • These inks are eco-friendly.
  • They give a soft feel.
  • They need more drying time.

5. Quick Comparison of Specialty Inks

Below is a table. It shows the differences. This helps you choose the right one:

6. Where to Buy Specialty Inks

When you need specialty inks you must pick the right supplier. Here are some trusted sources:

• Ryonet offers a variety of products to expose your creativity.
• ScreenPrinting.com
• Nazdar Direct

Buying Hints:

• Check substrate compatibility: Use cotton for plastisol and polyester for shimmer.
• Look for ideal mesh counts when working with metallic silver inks. safety certifications: Follow OSHA Guidelines.
• See if the ink fits your workflow: Does it cure fast? Is it eco-friendly?

For more info on specialty inks, visit our Specialty Inks for Chameleon Screen Printing Plastisol Ink page.

7. Pro Application Techniques

Using the right techniques for screen printing is important. Here are some tips:

• Screen Prep:
  • Use a good screen preparation workflow.
  • Clean your screens with good The screen degreasing process is essential for preparing the mesh for metallic silver applications..
• Choose the right Mesh Count for optimal results with silver inks.s: Ideal for achieving the best results with silver inks.
  • Screen mesh count optimization is key.
  • Use a mesh count of 110–230 for plastisol inks and 156+ for shimmer inks.
• Layering:
  • Use underbase printing methods especially for neon and fluorescent inks.
  • Print an extra layer for more opacity vs. transparency.
• Curing:
  • Use a conveyor dryer or an infrared dryer for thermal curing equipment.
  • Check your ink curing validation by testing on fabric.
• Squeegee Use:
  • Squeegee pressure control is important when you push the ink.
  • Adjust for fine-detail printing hacks and ink viscosity adjustment.

These actions can boost your print quality. For more ideas, check resources on print registration accuracy and post-cure washing tests.

8. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even pros face issues. Here are some common troubles and fixes:

• Ink Bleed Prevention:
  • Work with the right ink mixing ratios can help you expose the ideal shades for your project..
  • Use a pre-press preparation step.
• Plastisol Cracking:
  • Check your curing temperatures for plastisol.
  • Use low-cure plastisol benefits and test on different fabrics.
• Shimmer Ink Separation:
  • Shimmer ink mixing tools help.
  • Mix slowly to avoid particle separation.
• Fluorescent Fading:
  • Use UV-reactive ink performance tests.
  • Add a UV-resistant top coating if needed.
• Static Electricity:
  • Manage it by using static electricity prevention measures.
• Pinholes in Print:
  • Look into troubleshooting pinholes by fixing your emulsion and using screen exposure units.

9. Sustainability and Safety

Safety is very important. Here is how you can do screen printing safely and green:

• Eco-Friendly Inks:
  • Use phthalate-free plastisol or water-based inks.
  • Eco-friendly plastisol options are now available in a range of colors. are now common, with 40% of printers using them.
• Proper Disposal:
  • Follow local hazardous waste guidelines for ink disposal.
  • Use recycled substrates when possible.
• Safety Guidelines:
  • Wear gloves and masks to follow OSHA Guidelines.
  • Use plasma-safe markers like S-One Holdings UV curing technology in your work area.

10. LSI Keywords and Entities List

Below is a list of the 100 LSI keywords that we use and the bright colors of reflective inks of special effects 50 entities in the screen printing world:

100 LSI Keywords

• Screen printing techniques
• Fluorescent ink applications
• Plastisol ink properties
• Screen mesh count optimization
• Underbase printing methods
• Color mixing for neon inks
• Curing temperatures for plastisol
• UV-reactive ink performance
• High-opacity ink formulations
• Garment printing best practices
• Ink viscosity adjustment
• Squeegee pressure control
• Screen preparation workflow
• Flash curing strategies
• Halftone printing effects
• Substrate compatibility testing
• Ink adhesion troubleshooting
• Washfastness of fluorescent inks
• Discharge printing basics
• Low-cure plastisol benefits
• Ink bleed prevention
• Stencil emulsion types
• Neon ink color fading
• Textile printing challenges
• Print registration accuracy
• Screen reclaiming process
• Thermal curing equipment
• Plastisol ink additives
• Fluorescent pigment concentration
• Layering techniques with plastisol
• Specialty ink drying times
• Screen exposure units
• Spot color matching
• Heat transfer alternatives
• Opacity vs. transparency
• Ink mixing ratios
• Pre-press preparation for reflective printing
• Post-cure washing tests
• Pantone color systems
• Screen tension calibration
• Glow-in-the-dark inks
• Water-based vs. plastisol
• Ink contamination prevention
• Manual vs. automatic presses
• Puff ink effects
• Metallic ink integration
• Inkjet-to-screen workflows
• Garment pretreatment steps
• Screen printing sustainability
• Cost per print analysis
• High-density plastisol material
• Fluorescent ink safety guidelines
• Emulsion thickness control
• Fine-detail printing hacks
• Ink shelf life management is ideal for ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Troubleshooting pinholes
• Fabric stretching techniques
• Neon ink under UV light
• Plastisol ink softening
• Multi-color printing setups
• Screen printing exposure times
• Static electricity prevention
• Foil printing compatibility
• Screen degreasing process
• Ink curing validation
• Garment durability testing
• Screen printing business tips
• Hybrid ink systems
• Plastisol recycling methods
• Fluorescent ink mixing tools
• Heat-sensitive substrates
• Specialty ink suppliers
• Print speed optimization
• Color blending gradients
• Screen printing workshops
• Direct-to-garment comparisons
• Stencil burnout solutions
• Reducing ink waste
• Dark garment printing tricks
• Stretch fabric challenges
• Plastisol ink troubleshooting
• Neon ink pricing factors
• Custom screen printing designs
• Light garment printing tips
• Heat press integration
• Eco-friendly plastisol options
• Soft-hand ink additives
• Screen storage best practices
• Ink curing ovens
• Screen printing ROI analysis
• Specialty ink certifications
• Inkjet separation software
• Plastisol ink thickness
• Fluorescent ink transparency
• Screen printing exposure units
• Ink mixing for gradients
• Off-contact adjustment
• Print-on-demand workflows
• Garment pretreatment chemicals
• Colorfastness testing standards

50 Entities

• Speedball
• Nazdar
• Ryonet
• Union Ink
• Wilflex
• SGIA
• Mesh Count
• G7 Master Certification
• RISO
• The Discharge Agent is crucial for achieving the desired finish with metallic silver.
• International Ink
• Kiwo
• HIX
• Ralph Lauren Apparel
• M&R Printing Equipment
• Adobe Illustrator
• Pantone Matching System (PMS)
• ICC Profiles
• Anthem Printing
• Dickson Coatings
• EcoTex
• Siser EasyPSV
• QCM Squeegees
• Franmar specializes in metallic silver inks for screen printing.
• Murakami
• Spot Color Separation
• C. A. Technologies
• ThermoFlex
• International Silicone
• Vastex
• Saati
• Rheological Additives
• Polyester Fabrics
• AWT World Tag
• Hix
• Franchise Opportunities
• Sericol
• Ace Electrotech
• Screen Printing Magazine
• ISS Long Beach
• Ulano
• TASCHEN
• BASF printing inks
• The Print Life
• Cobra
• Fimor
• Opaque White Base
• S-One Holdings
• FESPA
• OSHA Guidelines

Note: All the words above help boost SEO and bring rich context to your screen printing work.

11. Final Thoughts

Specialty inks make screen printing fun and unique. By using plastisol inks, shimmer inks, or even puff inks, you can create prints that stand out.

• Plan carefully.
• Use proper tools.
• Test your inks on small samples.

Remember these key points:

• Ink viscosity adjustment is needed for best color.
• Screen tension calibration helps align designs.
• Ink mixing ratios and layering techniques with plastisol are very important.

For more tips on how to mix colors and use our inks, go to Specialty Inks for Puff Plastisol Ink. You will find easy tips and tricks to get started!

We hope this guide helps you print better. Use this guide as a daily reminder to work safe and smart. Make your art bright and fun with every print.

Summary Data Table

Below is the summary of key data we discussed:

Final Lists Recap

100 LSI Keywords Recap

Use these for SEO boost:

• Screen printing techniques, Fluorescent ink applications, Plastisol ink properties, Screen mesh count optimization, Underbase printing methods, Color mixing for neon inks, Curing temperatures for plastisol, UV-reactive ink performance, High-opacity ink formulations, Garment printing best practices, Ink viscosity adjustment, Squeegee pressure control, Screen preparation workflow, Flash curing strategies, Halftone printing effects, Substrate compatibility testing, Ink adhesion troubleshooting, Washfastness of fluorescent inks, Discharge printing basics, Low-cure plastisol benefits, Ink bleed prevention, Stencil emulsion types, Neon ink color fading, Textile printing challenges, Print registration accuracy, Screen reclaiming process, Thermal curing equipment, Plastisol ink additives, Fluorescent pigment concentration, Layering techniques with plastisol, Specialty ink drying times, Screen exposure units, Spot color matching, Heat transfer alternatives, Opacity vs. transparency, Ink mixing ratios, Pre-press preparation, Post-cure washing tests, Pantone color systems, Screen tension calibration, Glow-in-the-dark inks, Water-based vs. plastisol, Ink contamination prevention, Manual vs. automatic presses, Puff ink effects, Metallic ink integration, Inkjet-to-screen workflows, Garment pretreatment steps, Screen printing sustainability, Cost per print analysis, High-density plastisol, Fluorescent ink safety guidelines, Emulsion thickness control, Fine-detail printing hacks, Ink shelf life management, Troubleshooting pinholes, Fabric stretching techniques, Neon ink under UV light, Plastisol ink softening, Multi-color printing setups, Screen printing exposure times, Static electricity prevention, Foil printing compatibility, Screen degreasing process, Ink curing validation, Garment durability testing, Screen printing business tips, Hybrid ink systems, Plastisol recycling methods, Fluorescent ink mixing tools, Heat-sensitive substrates, Specialty ink suppliers, Print speed optimization, Color blending gradients, Screen printing workshops, Direct-to-garment comparisons, Stencil burnout solutions, Reducing ink waste, Dark garment printing tricks, Stretch fabric challenges, Plastisol ink troubleshooting, Neon ink pricing factors, Custom screen printing designs, Light garment printing tips, Heat press integration, Eco-friendly plastisol options, Soft-hand ink additives, Screen storage best practices, Ink curing ovens, Screen printing ROI analysis, Specialty ink certifications, Inkjet separation software, Plastisol ink thickness, Fluorescent ink transparency, Screen printing exposure units, Ink mixing for gradients, Off-contact adjustment, Print-on-demand workflows, Garment pretreatment chemicals, Colorfastness testing standards.

50 Entities Recap

• Speedball, Nazdar, Ryonet, Union Ink, Wilflex, SGIA, Mesh Count, G7 Master Certification, RISO, Discharge Agent, International Ink, Kiwo, HIX, Ralph Lauren Apparel, M&R Printing Equipment, Adobe Illustrator, Pantone Matching System (PMS), ICC Profiles, Anthem Printing, Dickson Coatings, EcoTex, Siser EasyPSV, QCM Squeegees, Franmar, Murakami, Spot Color Separation, C. A. Technologies, ThermoFlex, International Silicone, Vastex, Saati, Rheological Additives, Polyester Fabrics, AWT World Tag, Hix, Franchise Opportunities, Sericol, Ace Electrotech, Screen Printing Magazine, ISS Long Beach, Ulano, TASCHEN, BASF, The Print Life, Cobra, Fimor, Opaque White Base, S-One Holdings, FESPA, OSHA Guidelines.

Conclusion

This article has helped you learn about screen printing ink specialty inks for screen printing. You read about plastisol inks, shimmer inks, fluorescent inks, puff inks, discharge inks, and water-based inks. We gave tips on screen preparation workflow, curing, mixing ratios, and troubleshooting pinholes.

Remember, using screen printing techniques well makes your art pop with bright colors and unique textures. Always test your ink and use proper curing methods to get the best results.

For more ideas on how to use our specialty inks, check out these pages:

• Specialty Inks for Glow in the Dark Yellow Plastisol Ink
• Specialty Inks for Glow in the Dark Blue Plastisol Ink
• Specialty Inks for Chameleon Screen Printing Plastisol Ink
• Specialty Inks for Glow in the Dark Pink Plastisol Ink.
• Specialty Inks for Puff Plastisol In

We hope you enjoy using these inks. Keep printing, have fun, and make art that shines!