Table of Contents
This article tells you about white plastisol ink. We use it for screen printing. It is used in garment printing and textile screen printing.
The ink is made to be vibrant, durable, and eco-friendly. We will share facts, lists, and tables to help you learn more.
We will show you:
- Why use white plastisol ink?
- How to print with it?
- How it works vs. other inks?
- Case study data and numbers
- Helpful lists of keywords and industry names
This article has rich internal links. For example, check out Super White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink, Low Bleed White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink, and High Cover White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink.
1. Introduction
White plastisol ink is very bright. It makes vibrant prints on T-shirt printing ink jobs and other garment printing work. You see it on dark garments. Many screen printers choose this ink because it looks good and stays on well.
This ink is used for:
- Textile screen printing
- Screen printing supplies
- Making stencils and using a squeegee to push the ink
- Industrial screen printing with bright colors
The ink is also designed with care. It makes sure prints are durable. The ink is eco-friendly. Many brands now offer low cure plastisol or non-PVC alternatives. This means that your ink can be both strong and kind to the planet.
2. Why Use White Plastisol Ink?
White plastisol ink is used by many. It has many good points:
Vibrancy & Opacity
- High opacity ink means the white is clear on dark fabrics.
- It gives great coverage on cotton/poly blends.
- It has great color matching with the PMS/Spot Color Matching systems.
- You can get bright white ink that stands out on any garment.
Durability
- It endures 50+ industrial washes without much fading.
- It is known for washfastness and does not crack or peel.
- Heat resistance is high. It can stand up to 400°F+, even when pressed with heat transfer printing equipment.
Eco-Friendliness
- Many modern inks are now phthalate-free.
- They have reduced VOC emissions.
- Some formulations are PVC-based but now come with eco-friendly additives work to be better for the planet.
- This ink meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and REACH rules in the EU[^5].
3. How Eco-Friendly is Modern White Plastisol Ink?
Eco-friendly white plastisol inks are very good for you and the Earth. Look at these points:
- Certifications:
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
- Eco-Passport Certification
- Green Seal® Certification
- Non-PVC Alternatives:
- Some inks mix plasticizers that avoid PVC.
- Hybrid inks like Magnaprint™ Hybrid Inks mix durability with eco-friendly features.
- Waste and Recycling:
- Some companies use recycling programs to keep waste low.
- For instance, PolyOne Corporation has a closed-loop system that can reclaim up to 85% of unused ink.
With eco-friendly ink, you help the planet. It reduces long-term waste. You may pay a bit more now, but you cut down waste by 20–30% over time.
4. Application Best Practices
Using white plastisol ink is easy if you follow these simple steps:
Pre-Print Prep
- Check fabric: Work on cotton, polyester, or blends like 70/30 fabrics.
- Screen prep chemicals: Use a good stencil emulsion.
- Use SAATI Emulsion or Ulano Stencil Products to get a good screen.
Printing Tips
- Mesh count compatibility: Use a mesh count that suits an underbase ink.
- Squeegee pressure: Use the right pressure to avoid ink bleeding or under-deposit.
- Flash curing: Helps set the ink and avoid smudging.
- Non-toxic printing: Good for athletic wear ink and other retail branding.
Curing
- Curing temperature: Aim for around 320°F for 90 seconds.
- This helps the ink stick well and makes it fade-proof prints.
- Test with a stretch test to ensure durability.
5. White Plastisol Ink vs. Other Inks
When you choose ink, you may look at other types. Here is a clear table to compare:
Feature | White Plastisol Ink | Water-Based Ink | Discharge Ink | Hybrid Inks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vibrancy | High opacity and very bright white ink | Softer but less vibrant | Light opacity | Combines vibrant and soft hand feel |
Durability | 50+ washes, no fading | May fade faster | Best for light fabrics | Strong and durable |
Eco-Friendliness | Now phthalate-free with reduced VOCs | Very eco-friendly but longer drying | Good on soft fabrics | Best of both worlds |
Curing | Low cure plastisol; quick heat curing | Needs longer cure time | May need special printing methods | Quick and efficient curing |
6. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even good ink can have small problems. Here are some tips:
Ink Bleeding
- Cause: Too high a mesh or low off-contact.
- Fix: Adjust mesh count or change squeegee speed.
Cracking
- Cause: Overcure or too little soft-hand additives.
- Fix: Check your curing temperature. Use Kiwo® Chemicals for soft-hand improvement.
Ink Adhesion on Synthetics
- Cause: The ink may not stick well to polyester.
- Fix: Use adhesion promoters like Ecoflex® Plastisol Additives.
Eco-Certification Myths
- Myth: Water-based inks are always greener.
- Fact: 78% of printers know that water-based inks can lack the vibrancy of plastisol.
[^9]: A FESPA study found that many misjudge water-based inks.
8. Conclusion
White plastisol ink is a great choice for your screen printing needs. It is vibrant, durable, and now eco-friendly. Many merchants and brands like Gildan Apparel and Nike trust this ink for high-quality prints. We hope this guide helps you make a good choice.
Here is a quick review:
- Vibrancy: The ink offers bright white ink that works on dark garments, with high opacity and color consistency.
- Durability: It endures many washes and high heat. It stays strong and does not fade.
- Eco-Friendly: The new formulas use phthalate-free additives and meet eco-friendly standards like REACH and Oeko-Tex.
For more detailed guides, you may also visit our pages on Low Bleed White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink and Mixing White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink.
Final Thoughts
We hope you see that white plastisol ink offers a bright white ink that is vibrant, durable, and eco-friendly. It shines on every t-shirt printing ink job and in industrial screen printing. The ink gives strong underbase ink results that are fade-proof prints after many washes.
The ink also works well with plastica additives, has a good cure temperature, and is easy to use. Follow these screen printing supplies tips for ink adhesion and you will get prints that last. Enjoy your screen printing journey with confidence and care for the Earth.
For more info on our ink, check out these pages:
- Super White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink
- Low Bleed White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink
- High Cover White Screen Printing Plastisol Ink
Thank you for reading our guide. We hope it helps you make the best choice for custom apparel printing and garment decoration. Enjoy your print projects with our safe, reliable, and eco-friendly white plastisol ink.
