Water Based Screen Printing
Use super soft inks for the most comfortable print possible.
Use super soft inks for the most comfortable print possible.
Water based inks are a type of screen printing ink that has little to no touch or feel when printed on the shirt. Paired with a soft tee, this print method makes for some super comfortable shirts.
Minimum: 72 pieces.
Once water based ink have been "activiated" and are ready for use on the press, it only has a 24 hour shelf life. Therefore the minimums are a bit higher with water based printing so we can minimize waste.
Garment Recommendations: Water based inks are best used on 100% cotton garments.
Washing Instructions: Shirts can be washed like normal. Water based prints aren't quite as vibrant as a plastisol print so achieving super bright colors can be difficult. However, the print will be ultra soft and will last a very long time.
Price: Add $1 per garment printed. Order must be placed with an associate and cannot be placed online through our website. Please contact us for assistance.
Your favorite T-shirt is an old, faded graphic tee, soft from years of wear and a nice smooth print. It’s your go-to for comfort, nostalgia, and effortless style—like a hug from the past.
Let’s start with the most obvious question—what exactly are water-based inks? When it comes to printing on T-shirts, there are two main types of ink: plastisol and water-based. Plastisol is the industry standard, known for its bold colors and ease of use. Water-based ink, on the other hand, is a bit more specialized, often favored by experienced printers for its unique properties.
So, what sets water-based ink apart? As the name suggests, it uses water as a solvent to carry the pigment. During the screen-printing process, this ink is applied to the fabric, and as the shirt passes through a conveyor dryer, the water evaporates, leaving only the pigment embedded in the fibers. The result? A softer, more breathable print that feels like part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.
Want to learn more about the pros and cons of water-based versus plastisol inks? Click here.
The biggest advantage to using water based ink are that they are super soft. Unlike when using plastisol inks, these inks will not leave a "hand" or a feel to the design area of the shirt. You can run your hand through the design and you will not be able to tell the difference between the t shirt and where the design starts and ends. This allows for maximum comfort, especially when printing on ring spun soft cotton shirts. That is one super soft and comfortable combination!
The most notable disadvantage to using this type of ink is vibrancy. It is difficult to get extremely bright colors, especially flourescents. We can still achieve a wide spectrum of color, but they will be slightly muted compared to its plastisol ink counterpart.
Water based inks are also limited on the type of shirts they can print on. This method is usually printed on 100% cotton garments but best used on 100% cotton combed ring spun garments.
Other disadvantages occur mainly on the production side, so our customers need not to worry. Printing water based is much more difficult and requires more skill and experience than the standard plastisol. This is due to the ink drying quickly which can cause production stalls if the printer is not fully prepared or efficient during production. While the process overall is very similar to using a different ink, there are a lot of subtle differences that can make a big impact on whether or not one can achieve a good print.
Garments That Pose Challenges
If you’re looking for ultra-soft prints, breathable designs, and eco-friendly screen printing, water-based inks are an excellent choice. Need help selecting the perfect garment for your project? Contact us for expert advice!
On white or light-colored shirts, water-based inks behave as expected—penetrating the fabric and delivering a smooth, soft finish. However, one important factor to consider is how the garment color can subtly influence the final print. For example, printing light blue ink on a white shirt will produce a true-to-color result. But if that same ink is applied to a heather gray shirt, the print may appear a few shades darker due to the underlying fabric color.
Think of it like painting a wall: applying a fresh coat of color over a white, primed surface gives you an accurate shade, whereas painting over an existing color can slightly alter the final look. This concept applies to screen printing as well, regardless of the ink type.
Printing on a dark garment gets much trickier.
Water based printing on dark shirts is done through discharge water based inks. Discharge printing uses a discharge agent that is mixed into the ink. When the ink is applied to the shirt, the discharge agent removes the dye from the t shirt bringing it back to its natural cotton color. The new colored pigment then replaces the old dye, essentially re-dying the shirt in the print area with the desired colors.
Water-based screen printing uses inks that soak into the fabric rather than sitting on top. This results in a softer, more breathable print that becomes part of the garment itself.
Discharge printing is a specialized water-based technique that removes the dye from dark-colored fabrics, essentially bleaching out the fabric’s color and replacing it with a new pigment. This results in bright, soft prints without a heavy ink layer.
Water-based ink is softer, more eco-friendly, and allows for breathable prints. However, it requires more expertise to work with and is best suited for absorbent fabrics like cotton. Plastisol ink, in contrast, sits on top of the fabric, creating a thicker, more vibrant print.
Water-based inks work best on 100% cotton and other natural fabrics. Blends can be used but may result in a faded, vintage-style print. Synthetic fabrics like polyester require specialized water-based inks.
Yes, but water-based inks are naturally more transparent. To achieve vibrant colors on dark fabrics, we use discharge printing or apply multiple ink layers to boost opacity.
Discharge printing works best on 100% cotton garments. Blends may not discharge evenly, and synthetic fabrics won’t react to the process at all.
Yes! Water-based inks contain fewer harmful chemicals and don’t require harsh solvents for cleanup, making them a more sustainable choice compared to plastisol inks.
When properly cured, water-based prints can last as long as plastisol prints. Over time, they develop a natural vintage fade, but they won’t crack or peel like plastisol.
Water-based printing can be more expensive due to the extra setup, longer drying times, and additional expertise required. However, the softer feel and eco-friendly benefits often make it worth the investment.
For the best longevity, wash inside out in cold water, use mild detergent, and avoid high heat when drying. Air drying is recommended to maintain the print’s quality.
Turnaround time is typically 10 business days, though large orders (5,000+ pieces) may require additional time depending on production scheduling.
