Discover Specialty Inks for screen printing! Explore our range of plastisol and glitter inks that create unique effects for your textile projects.
Introduction to Inks in Screen Printing
Do you like shirts with cool pictures? Screen printing is how they make them!
Screen printing is used to make pictures on shirts, bags, and lots of other things. It is very popular.
Specialty inks are inks that make the pictures look special. They can sparkle, shine, or be very bright.
It’s important to pick the right ink. The right ink will make the picture look good and last a long time.
2. Plastisol Ink: The Versatile Workhorse
What is Plastisol Ink?
Plastisol is a type of ink. It is used a lot in screen printing.
Plastisol ink is made with PVC. It is safe to use.
Plastisol ink is easy to use. It is strong and makes the picture look bright.
Applications and Benefits
Plastisol ink is good for shirts made of cotton. It is also good for sportswear. It can even be used to make heat transfers.
Some plastisol inks do not have lead. These are better for the earth. They are also safer to use.
Plastisol ink is very popular. About 70% of screen printing inks are plastisol. This is because it is strong and does not cost too much.
Mixing and Customization
You can mix plastisol ink with other things. You can add shimmer to make it shine. You can add glow-in-the-dark stuff to make it glow.
3. Glitter Ink: Sparkling Designs That Stand Out
Glitter Ink Explained
Glitter ink is a type of ink that sparkles. It has small pieces of glitter in it.
The glitter can be big or small. Some glitter is very shiny.
Best Uses for Glitter Ink
Glitter ink is good for clothes that you wear to parties. It is also good for things that you give away to get people to know about your business.
Glitter ink can make things look very special. It can make them sparkle and shine.
If you use glitter ink, make sure it does not get old. Make sure it can be washed without the glitter coming off.
Application Tips
When you use glitter ink, you need to use a special screen. You also need to make sure the ink gets hot enough to dry.
4. Shimmer Ink: Subtle Metallic Elegance
Shimmer vs. Glitter: Key Differences
Shimmer ink is like glitter ink, but it is different. Shimmer ink has very small pieces of metal in it. Glitter ink has bigger pieces of glitter.
Shimmer ink makes things look like they are made of metal. It makes them look soft and shiny.
Why Choose Shimmer Ink?
Shimmer ink is strong. It can be washed without losing its shine.
You can mix shimmer ink with plastisol ink. This will make the picture look very special.
Creative Applications
Shimmer ink is good for hats and bags. It is also good for fancy clothes.
Shimmer ink can make things look very fancy. It can make them look like they are worth a lot of money.
5. Comparative Guide: Plastisol, Glitter & Shimmer Inks
Here is a table to show you the difference between Plastisol, Glitter, and Shimmer Inks.
| Ink Type | Good For | Not So Good For | Looks Like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastisol | Shirts, Sportswear, Heat Transfers | Things that need to sparkle or shine a lot | Bright and strong colors |
| Glitter | Party Clothes, Shiny Things | Things that need to be washed a lot | Very sparkly and shiny |
| Shimmer | Hats, Bags, Fancy Clothes | Things that need to be very cheap | Soft shine, like metal |
Durability and Flexibility
Plastisol ink is very strong. It can be stretched without breaking. Glitter ink and shimmer ink are not as strong. They can break if they are stretched too much.
Cost and Accessibility
Plastisol ink is the cheapest. You can buy it at most stores that sell screen printing supplies. Glitter ink and shimmer ink cost more.
Here is a table to show how much each ink costs:
| Ink Type | Cost per Quart |
|---|---|
| Plastisol | $15 – $25 |
| Glitter | $20 – $35 |
| Shimmer | $25 – $40 |
Design Compatibility
Plastisol ink is good for pictures that have a lot of small details. Glitter ink and shimmer ink are good for pictures that are big and bold.
6. Troubleshooting Common Challenges
Clogging and Screen Issues
Sometimes, the ink can get stuck in the screen. This is more common with glitter ink. To stop this from happening, use a screen that has bigger holes.
Curing Problems
When you cure the ink, you heat it up to make it dry. If you do not heat it up enough, the ink will not dry right. This is more common with shimmer ink.
Wash-Testing Best Practices
You should always wash the shirt after you print on it. This will make sure the ink does not come off.
7. Sustainability in Specialty Inks
Eco-Friendly Innovations
Some inks are better for the earth than others. Some plastisol inks do not have lead. Some glitter inks are made from things that break down in the earth.
Reducing Waste
You should try to use all of the ink that you have. If you have extra ink, you should give it to someone else who can use it.
8. Future Trends in Specialty Screen Printing Inks
There are new types of inks being made all the time. Some inks shine when you put them under a black light. Some inks are made from things that break down in the earth.
People want inks that are bright, shiny, and good for the earth.
9. Conclusion: Choosing Your Perfect Specialty Ink
When you pick an ink, think about what you are going to use it for. Think about how much money you want to spend. Think about what you want the picture to look like.
If you are just starting out, plastisol ink is a good choice. It is cheap and easy to use. If you want to make something that sparkles, use glitter ink. If you want to make something that looks fancy, use shimmer ink.
Remember to Choose eco-friendly inks to help the earth!
Here is the link to find Puff Plastisol Ink:https://plastisolink.us/product/puff-plastisol-ink/
Here is the link to find Glitter Plastisol Ink: https://plastisolink.us/product/glitter-plastisol-ink/
Important Data, Case Studies & Statistics: Specialty Inks for Screen Printing
| Aspect | Plastisol Ink | Glitter Ink | Shimmer Ink | Source / Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Growth | Good Ink, most people use it. 70% of the Ink market. | Good Ink, getting more popular. Grown by 8.5% each year! | People really like it for fancy clothes. | Market Research Future (2023) |
| Key Applications | Good for shirts! About 90% of shirts are printed with this. | Good for parties and holidays. | Good for hats and bags. | Textile World (2023) |
| Durability Stats | Very strong! Can be washed over 50 times. | Glitter can fall off after 20–30 washes. | Lasts a long time, even after being washed 40+ times. | ScreenPrinting Magazine Testing (2022) |
| Environmental Impact | Not the best for the Earth. But, you can get some that are better. | Better for the Earth now! But cost more. | You can recycle some of these Inks. | Green Printing Initiative (2023) |
| Case Study | One company saved money using this Ink. | One store sold more because of this Ink. | One brand became more popular. | Industry Case Studies (2021–2023) |
| Cost Comparison | Cheap! About $15–$25. | More expensive! About $20–$35. | Most expensive! About $25–$40. | Supplier Pricing Data (2023) |
| Performance Metrics | Very bright. Needs to be heated to 320°F. | Looks good. Needs to be heated to 300°F. | Looks soft. Needs to be heated to 310°F. | Technical Datasheets (Union Ink, Avient™) |
| Design Trends | Good for old-looking shirts. | Good for shiny clothes. | Good for small details. | Fashion Trend Reports (2023) |
| Recycling Challenges | Hard to recycle. | Not good for recycling. | Hard to recycle, use better bags. | Environmental Impact Studies (2023) |
