The ink is also water-soluble, non-toxic, and non-flammable. Theres another benefit to a closer distributor. The Jacquard Professional Screenprinting Ink is a super-opaque white ink that comes packaged in 16 fl oz. It does not have a shelf life so you can mix extra ink for the job to use at a later time. You should mind your safety (and that of those around) you when choosing ink. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. Permaset is a popular screen printing ink brand, which is known for its excellent quality and range of bold colours. The ink will not buckle your papers, and its finish looks vibrant, durable and practically scuff-proof. This water soluble ink from Speedball is suitable for papers and textiles. The fact that it delivers greater coverage as well as smoother workability makes the best choice for all beginners and professional screen printers out there. You should know about the major types of screen printing inks, understand their applications, and know whether theyre something you could work with in your shop. It comes packaged in an 8oz jar and is made for printing on fabric paper as well as cardboard. Never blindly trust any salesman! Daler Rowney's System 3 textile acrylics are designed to be used straight from the pot. Based in California, Image Technology Inc. (usually shortened to Image Tech) is a well-known supplier and manufacturer of inks and consumables for the custom print industry. Look for phthalate-free brands if you can, as these are more eco-friendly. Subscribe today and save up to 33%! Printavo is simple shop management software. Water based ink saturates the fiber instead of resting over it. These are truly opaque colors that will show up even on dark surfaces, and they can be used for printing on fabric, paper, and cardboard, This set comes with six four-ounce jars in red, yellow, blue, silver, black, and a pearly white. Choosing the right screen printing ink can make or break your design. Forpoly blends (any shirt or fabric that has a "heather" color),you'll want a poly white ink. Youll need to heat-cure this ink if youre using it on fabric. Although the individual jars are fairly expensive, you get a lot of ink for your money. Its also one of the most loaded questions I get! You can also use discharge inks as an underbase. If youre fond of Hunt The Moons range of screen printing inks, you might want to bring some sparkle to your art supplies by adding gold and silver inks. Do you have a long-term relationship with them? Discharge inks work via chemical reaction. Theres no limit as to the fabric/surfaces that you can use this ink with. These screen printing inks can be used on fabric, paper or card with stunning results. These semi-transparent, water-based inks come with a smooth, creamy consistency that all screen printer dream of. Find out how you can get access to the best. Again, remember that this ink shouldnt be used with nylon. They dont offer a large selection of colours, but youll still be able to create a good range of shades by mixing the inks together. We also have discharge ink, that is available in both plastisol and water variations. Speedball FSPI8-4551 Art Products Fabric Screen Printing Ink is the best peacock blue color fabric ink you can find on the market today. MagnaColours has spent approximately 40 years developing alternatives to plastisol inks. The World's Premier Art Magazine since 1913. Considering the different types of screen printing inks and the numerous ink manufacturers, picking the best ink for your screen printing needs might not be an easy task. If someone from Florida asks where to buy ink, Im probably going to steer them toward a local company like Roeder Industries. For now, we concentrate on the Speedball 8-Ounce Fabric Screen Printing Ink, Black (4560). It usually has a special adhesive so it can stay on the nylon without coming off. Aqua Art ink is archivable, which means that the colours wont fade over time or turn yellow ideal if youre planning to sell your finished prints. Theyre ready to use out of the jar and flow easily throughscreens. Now is the best time to switch to Printavo. Each can also be mixed with ease to create more colors. When you're using plastisol inks, you'll need to use heat to set your design to make it permanent. Looking for a super soft print? If youre among the many other screen printers who are wondering what they should do to ensure you get the most suitable ink that gives you the expected results, this is your part. 1-day shipping is that important for screen printers. Laminating Machine Problems and Solutions. A clever salesman can make any ink work during a demo or make it fail. James M. Rai has been screen printing T-shirts and other textiles professionally and as a hobby for more than 15 years. Since discharge removes the dye in the garment, you can print super vivid prints on dark shirts even though water based inks are less opaque than plastisol inks. Although a lot of people have some misgivings about the use of water based ink for screen printing, it is still a very popular type of ink. Dont forget the eight inks are 100% odorless and non-toxic. That said, youll need to invest in the right screen printing ink for successful screen printing for your tees or any other items. When plastisol is cured, it is exposed to high heat (290 to 320 degress Fahrenheit). The following post is dedicated to showing you how to pick the best screen printing ink that gives you your expected screen printing results. All the inks from these brands deliver eye-grabbing prints on a broad range of substrates. What do I actually need from my screen printing inks? And stays on the substrate its printed on permanently, provided you properly heat set it. Is Screen Printing a Profitable Business? The most impressive discharge prints have zero hand feel a magical thing for customers. The ink comes in 250ml pots, so they're likely to last a long time. Plastisol really is the only option, or a mix of both processes. Based in the UK, MagnaColours is tremendously popular among European screen printers. Like our previous product, it is also water soluble, non-flammable, and non-toxic. The first thing you should look for when buying fabric ink is its overall quality. Below, well explain the most common types of inks available today: Plastisol is characterized by exceptional opacity and the ability to remain on the screen for longer periods of time without drying up. Like all the other Speedball inks, youll need to heat set this ink once (and you should do it properly) for you to achieve the permanence you want. Not every print shop needs to be like Denver Print House, churning out complex art printed with scientific precision in a tightly controlled environment. Buy the Aqua Art paper and board screen printing ink set from Amazon from 34.50. Its wise to go for a product that comes with rich, vibrant color as its more likely to produce good-looking results when applied on a substrate. If youre not sure about the quality of ink, check what the previous users have to say about it. This is the most widely used ink in the industry. 2022 Art Media, LLC. We help you streamline your business, keep jobs moving forward and your team on the same page. Printing on dark blended (not 100% cotton) fabric and need a super bright print? SUMMER SALE - Try 3 issues for just 5 - save up to 84% on shop price! It can be used to create everything from stunning art prints to creative fabric designs. Utilized for high-end retail applications, silicone screen printing inks are the most expensive on the market. This makes it the most widely used type of ink around the world. Also, if you want to make your own custom colors, its a great idea to buy colors that come in sets or packs, as they tend to mix and overlay beautifully. Which ink distributor is going to help me the most when I need it? Speedball screen printing ink is designed to be used on fabric. Other types of screen printing ink are better on fabric. Acrylic inks are a new and emerging variety of screen printing ink. If they're too thick for your work, then they can be thinned using screen printing mediums. The inks include Rocket Red, Lemon Yellow and Midnight Blue. Choose from 30 colors, including fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark ones! They would also make a fabulous gift for the printmaker in your life. This particular comprises six colors packaged in a 4oz jar each. It also has the huge advantage of having a slow drying time, so you can keep it on the screen for longer periods of time. Plastisol has an almost indefinite shelf life, can be left on screens without damaging them, and is extremely long-lasting on garments when cured correctly. Water-based inks rank as the second most popular type of screen printing inks. SAVE up to 79% on US shop price and pay in $$! One, it has a low opacity. There are low-formaldehyde discharge inks available or you can simply utilize large fans and an effective cross-breeze. Jacquards product is a professional-grade and archival-quality water-based ink that will look stunning whether you are printing on fabrics or paper. This can help when printing on polyester fabric, which is famous for having issues (dye migration, discoloration and more) during the curing process. Its made out of unpolymerized (read: viscous) PVC (polyvinyl chloride) via chemical process through a combination of ethylene (an oil-based product) and chlorine suspended in a liquid plastic. Just looking at your design will tell you what colors you need to buy. Our picks below will help you find the best silkscreen ink available in a growing market. High-performanice wear on nylon and poly-blend fabrics come with a high price point. Acrylic inks are typically water based. How long will it take to get a small (or large) amount of ink to your shop when you really need it? These inks are solvent free and are environmentally friendly. Dont ask whats the best ink for screen printing? Instead, ask these questions: So lets get into the weeds and remember: caveat emptor (buyer beware). The ink is loved due to its ability to saturate your garment fibers and actually dye the garment instead of resting on top (like in the case of plastisol). Blue in color, this ink also falls in the same product series as the previously discussed Speedball inks above. More recently, James has gotten involved with Cricut and other cutting machines. Compared with water-based inks, these have better color vibrancy, are easier to cure, and have a heavier body; in fact, theyre a standard in the garment industry. The catalysts needed to actually print silicone inks only work during a brief duration, so your production time and ink supply is limited by what you can mix. Screen printing is a fantastic art form which is massively versatile. Some screen printing inks can be used on both fabric and paper, which is ideal if you like to work with both. Scheduling, quoting, approvals, payments, customer communication, automation and more. Other factors that contribute to its durability include its flexibility, versatility, and durability. Looking to make super soft custom t shirts? Did you know that you can do screen printing using acrylic paints? You run out of ink when theres a rush order due. Discharge inks are remarkably versatile. This might be an issue if you live in extremely humid conditions as youll need a proper heat source for proper curing. Water based inks are less opaque (read: more transparent) than plastisol inks, Water based ink is a very broad umbrella with many different inks, to have a properly ventilated gas dryer for curing discharge inks, you dont actually. Also, ensure the ink offers the permanence you want in your fabrics. However, the learning curve is steep and acrylic inks are notorious for drying in the screen. They can take a while to get used to, as they are quite thick, so you might try experimenting with adding water or an extender to achieve your ideal viscosity. Water-based ink ranks second on the popularity chart. Now that you know the most popular types of screen printing, lets check the 11 best inks for silk screen printing on the market today. This is to say it is non-toxic, non-flammable, and produces no offensive odors. .toc_container ol li a{}.toc_container ol li{font-size:16px;margin:0;padding:0;line-height:32px}.toc_container ol{}.toc_container{margin-bottom:1.75em;padding:.75em;background-color:#f8f9fc}.toc_container h4{margin:15px}.toc_container ol{padding:0 40px 0 50px;margin-bottom:25px}.toc_container{background-color:#fff!important;border:1px solid #e0e0e0;margin-bottom:40px!important}.toc_container a{font-size:17px!important;color:#16508d}.toc_container a:hover{color:#4f97e3;font-size:17px!important}. Buy Arch Colours screen printing inks on Etsy from 9.95. Besides, theyre all non-flammable, contain no solvents, and dont produce unpleasant odors. Black in color, this ink comes packaged in an 80z container, which is well worth it considering its wallet-friendly pocket. As one of the softest fabric inks available, these inks are also incredibly permanent and wash fast, so you can rest assured theyll deliver professional results that you and your clients will love. It has been the primary ink until fairly recently as more and more companies have been converting. Unfortunately, this ink tends to show low opacity issues due to its thin nature and inability to retain its base when cured. This is another plastisol ink, but it cures at a lower temperature of 270F, which reduces the risk of harming heat-sensitive fabrics. Specializing in plastisol products and focused on more than textiles (including offset and flexo printing), Monarch Color Corp is based in North Carolina and has more than 4 decades of experience and 6 manufacturing facilities across the world. Other factors you need to consider when choosing your screen printing ink are: There are a lot of screen printing ink types and manufacturers, and choosing the right one might take some hours of research. Theres a huge variety of printing methods and special effects possible with acrylic inks. You should look for colors that match the project at hand. This set of inks is available in 100g tubs or more generous 240g tubs. Some are better for certain applications, and not so great for others. This is one of the most common questions I get when Im talking to screen printers. Ecotexs product is a plastisol ink, which is an ink composed of a thick plasticizer and PVC resin. Others may be based on oil or plastic. But Im always honest with shops about the inks that are out there. If youre new to print making, this starter set of printing inks from Hunt The Moon provides good value for money. The ink is 100% non-flammable, non-toxic, and cleans up easily and quickly with soap and water. However, note that this ink isnt meant for use with nylon. Be sure to follow the curing directions for your nylon white ink to the letter. a gas dryer to print discharge. You can use screen printing to make beautiful products to sell, to create your own t-shirt designs or make unique soft furnishings for your home. They can get a hands-on experience with your technique and process and typically, they can help you print better. The truth about screen printing ink is this: most inks that you can buy from a major supplier are good screen printing inks. This is a water-soluble ink thats made for use on textile and paper substrates. If you didnt like the Speedball starter pack we reviewed for you above, you might want to try this Jacquard Versatex Printing Ink Set. The water-soluble ink also conforms to ASTM D 4236, meaning its non-flammable, non-toxic, and does not produce unpleasant odors. Discharge ink tends to be used by more experienced printers, as it requires more technical knowledge. Daler Rowney System 3 screen printing colour ink from Cass Art for 10.50. For full polyester garments, you'll want a low-bleed ink. Likewise, this can also be an issue if you live in very arid areas. Answer: While its definitely preferable to have a properly ventilated gas dryer for curing discharge inks, you dont actually need a gas dryer to print discharge. How to Remove Screen Printing from a Shirt, Cricut Design Space Problems and Solutions. If you'd like to try other kinds of printing, take a look at our lino cutting for beginners guide and our block printing for beginners guide. This leaves the best print on blended garments. We are here to help you decide what makes sense for your project. If youre looking for the eco friendly screen printing option, than you wont want to go with plastisol. Buy Marabu screen printing ink from Amazon from 8.32. Buy Aqua Art paper and board screen printing ink from Amazon, starting from 8.70. However, a huge number of distributors and print supply companies across the US carry most or all of these brands. This ink works by removing the dye used to color your garment and replacing it with the pigmented ink color. It will adhere nicely to the fibrous cotton and leave a great white print. You should know that there is more than one type of screen printing ink. Third, while you can make custom colors with these inks, keep in mind that theyre semitransparent and might not look the same when you finally print them. The set comprises up to 6 different printing ink colors, namely Yellow, Magenta, Brown, Green, Blue, Violet, Black, and White. For your information, this ink can work with a broad range of fabrics, such as polyester, cotton, blends, rayon, linen, and any other synthetic fiber out there. If youre using it on fabric, youll need to heat-set the ink so it doesnt wash out. Which type of ink is right for you will depend on your budget, the fabric you want to print on, and the end result you want nice looking tampa t-shirts for real kings. Shes a keen crafter and artist and loves creating DIY tutorials for Gathered. Printed fabrics emerge from the washer and dryer without fading, and the designs should last as long as the base material does. It's opaque, so your designs will show very well even on darker fabrics. The set has a good selection of colours, which can be mixed and blended together. Folks who swear by this ink explain that it makes it possible and easy to work on dark garments with no need for under basing. Can You Laminate Your Social Security Card? Brands like Nike will print sily-smooth silicone designs with reflective inks and other special effects. These screen printing inks have a beautiful sheen and would be perfect for any festive art projects or to add an extra dimension to a print. The ink is suitable for use with nearly all surfaces and fabrics, including paper, vinyl, synthetic fabrics, plastic, metal, wood, leather, and so much more. Best Vevor Heat Press [Our Reviews and Comparisons], Ideal for printing on papers and textiles, Ideal for use with a variety of techniques, Made for printing on dark-colored fabrics, Ink colors include: white, black, silver, blue, yellow, raspberry, Offers smoother workability, greater coverage, Ideal for printing on textiles and papers, Water-based fabric ink-non-flammable, non-toxic, Suitable for tees, tablecloth, and other fabrics, Water-soluble screen printing ink-non-toxic, non, Achieves permanency when properly heat set. This ink is lightfast with less amount of water compared to the other water based inks out there. Some of the top names in the screen printing ink industry include Speedball, Jacquard, and Permaset. There are very, very, very few shops that take a daily inventory of their ink. Experts agree that the right type of ink heavily depends on the substrate you wish to print on, your budget, and end goals. Also, the ink needs to be dried for the best results. Silicone inks are challenging, but theres a potential reward for shops that have meticulous ink management skills. All in all, water-based inks are an excellent option for screen printing. During that time, he owned and operated a small screen printing shop in northern California for more than 7 years. Water-based screen printing inks can be used on paper and fabric. You might even want to buy different kinds of ink depending on the project. MyTShirtKings is dedicated to providing world class apparel and custom t shirt printing services for start-ups, family events, non profits, small businesses, colleges, corporate brands and amazing individuals like yourself. There are lots of Permaset Aqua colours available on Amazon and from other art shops. Its sold in individual jars, so if you need several colors the cost can start to add up, but the top quality is immediately apparent. Last, but not least, we have the Speedball Art Products Fabric Screen Printing Ink Fluorescent. To get the best results from a screen printing press, you need a reliable ink that has consistent flow, low tack, and longevity. Still, others can print on fabric papers and textiles only. You run out of ink with the job on press. These inks offer amazing coverage in addition to smooth application and a fast drying time. In this video, I break down the different types of garments you can print on and what type of white ink you'll need to use. Loving the Aqua Art screen printing inks? With low cure and regular cure options as well as a plethora of special effects, One Stroke Inks appear in print shops across the US. jar. These water-based inks can be used on fabric or paper. Its like discharge prints are just part of the shirt. Jacquard screen printing ink is available in lots of rich colours like this lovely sky blue. Bold, easy to apply, and reasonably priced, Speedballs water-based inks are at the top of our list. Some can print on any surface; others are intended for specific fabrics. Then water based ink is the clear winner. The gold is particularly striking. Marabu printing ink is a high-quality product made in Germany. This happens again and again shops call each other and need to borrow a quart of ink. Water based inks are something Ive pushed every print shop to invest in. Besides, you can trust the ink pack to produce brilliant results when used on cardboard and paper. Its a water-based ink, so it wont be as durable or opaque as a plastisol ink, but its still very hard-wearing and easy to clean up after use. Plastisol is a thick, opaque screen printing ink that's usually used to print onto fabric. Sarah has previously written features for The Guardian, In The Moment Magazine, Project Calm Magazine, countryfile.com, radiotimes.com and yourhomestyle.uk. A lot of people like to use water-based inks on fabric because the ink sinks into the material this keeps it feeling soft. There's a range of 41 amazing colours to choose from, so you're bound to find a shade that you love. However, it cannot be printed on nylon substrates. Below, well take you through some top factors that you should follow to aid in your research. It sets well into fabric without building up, retains color accuracy, and cures at 320 F. So heres what it comes down to. In addition to that, this is ink for screen printing on t-shirts. They invest extensively in R&D for hybrid printing and unique applications beyond simple cotton textile printing as well. The inks do have a strong odour, so you may want to open a window while youre using them. They actually bleach off the dye on the cotton t-shirt, leaving behind the natural color of the fibers (or the color you choose to leave behind). One Stroke Inks take their name from their mission: inks that only need one pass with a squeegee, maximizing profit and minimizing time on press. A Los Angeles-based company, Matsui has manufactured and innovated in the pigment and ink industry since 1923. The range features a good selection of colours including some eye-catching neon shades. Discharge ink works by pulling the dye out of the fabric and replacing it with its own colour. As long as you properly heat set this ink, it remains permanent on the substrate you print it on. Picking where to buy screen printing supplies is a more important choice than you might think. Screen printing is one of the most preferred methods of t-shirt printing for both individuals and businesses. There are three kinds that are the most common on the market today: water based ink, plastisol ink, and discharge ink. The high popularity of this type of ink has led to the birth of specialty plastisols which are often available as additives or bases. All the inks in this set are inter-mixable, so you can easily come up with your own custom colors. What special effects do your customers want? For permanence, the manufacturer recommends you to heat set this ink once. Our list of the 11 top-rated screen printing inks on the market this year will provide you with multiple options that you can use today to obtain good-looking print results. Theyre becoming more prevalent alongside their water based counterparts. Owned by PolyOne, Rutland is headquartered in North Carolina. Home Screen Printing Best Screen Printing Ink. They can be mixed to create more colors, and they dry quickly with a subtle, pleasing sheen. Speedball Art Products FSPI8-4569 Fabric Screen Printing Ink is your go-to option for quality orange ink. If done right, you should not be able to feel the ink on the garment once its been washed. The final print you get with water-based ink usually looks softer and more durable compared to that of plastisol. Here are some things to look for when deciding which ink is right for you. In addition to all the usual colours, Speedball also has a selection of stunning pearlescent screen printing inks perfect for when you need to give your designs a little boost. Plastisol screen printing ink is the most popular because it is the most versatile. At A Glance:Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hamblyscreenprints_com-box-3','ezslot_2',603,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamblyscreenprints_com-box-3-0')}; Our Top 3 Picks for Screen Printing Ink. If youre looking for an opaque gold color for your screen porting project, theres no better choice than this Opaque Fabric Screen Printing Ink Color. Its a water-based ink that wont fade much over time. You can either apply it via screen printing or via other techniques such as painting on the substrates with a brush. Choose the type of message you'd like to post, Discover the best screen printing ink to buy in 2022. This brand has a brilliant selection of colours for you to work with, so you'll be able to create plenty of beautiful screen prints. They work well with both synthetic and natural fabrics, wood, paper, canvas, leather, and so much more. This gives it a softer look that is more solid. One thing you need to consider when using this kind of ink is that it cures through evaporation. For nylon, like jackets and other materials, you'll want a nylon white ink. This chemical reaction is due to the active ingredient ZFS (zinc formaldehyde sulfate). This is a super effective technique that leverages discharge inks unique chemistry. Unlike water-based inks, plastisol ink sits on the surface of the fabric allowing you to create bold and durable prints. Buy Speedball screen printing ink from handprinteduk on Etsy for 12.99, Sarah Orme is a UK-based linocut printmaker, digital editor, feature writer and award-winning podcaster. It is a highly durable fabric ink, and works well with a lot of printing equipment and methods. Dont forget the ink is easy to clean with soap and water without fading or getting discolored. Try our magazines get 6 issues for just 9.99. Reality #1: Screen printing shops dont take daily inventories of their ink supplies.Reality #2: Because of #1, shops run out of ink when they need it badly.Reality #3: That means the best distributor is often the closest distributor. These inks are specifically designed for art and poster printing. I've had skin in the game. Are Water-Based Screen Printing Inks Good? Buy the Hunt The Moon gold and silver water-based metallic screen printing ink from Amazon for 14.99. That wont work in an understaffed, overworked, razor-thin-margin business. How do I pick the best ink for my screen printing projects?. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); SPEEDBALL 8-OUNCE FABRIC SCREEN PRINTING INK, BLACK, SPEEDBALL FABRIC SCREENPRINTING INK STARTER SET, JACQUARD PROFESSIONAL SCREENPRINTING INK - 119 SUPER OPAQUE WHITE. Silicone inks are largely novel applications done in large shops with nearly scientific printing capabilities. It has a beautiful finish and needs heat to be cured.