A Closer Look at Plastisol and Water-Based Inks in Screen Printing
In the vibrant world of screen printing, many tools are used in screen printing. It includes the most crucial components like inks, screens, mesh, emulsion, and exposure unit. It’s crucial to understand the kinds of inks you’ll be using because it can impact design quality. Plastisol and water-based inks are the two main kinds of inks that are commonly used and through this brief blog, we will explore both inks more closely and explore what sets them apart from each other.
All about Plastisol and Water-Based Inks
There are two major types of inks used in the process of screen printing. These are:
Water-based Ink:
It’s a high-quality ink used for printing apparel made up of hybrid blends or acrylic resins and polyurethanes. For carrying the pigmentation, the ink utilizes water as its main solvent. The ink deeply dyes the cloth’s fabric, making it look naturally attractive and comfortable to wear. The water needs to evaporate entirely to set the ink on the fabric. When the water evaporates, it seems like the ink has immersed into the fabric and become a part of the cloth itself.
Plastisol Inks
Plastisol ink is considered a more versatile ink as it is adaptable with other fabrics like synthetic, polyester, etc. The feature that makes it a popular choice for most people is that these can be mixed with different colors to create custom shades. In addition, plastisol inks are more user-friendly since they are inexpensive, flexible, long-lasting, and simple to handle.
Comparing Features
Here are the comparing features that differentiate both inks from each other and help to identify which is best:
- Environmental Impact:
Plastisol inks are not eco-friendly as they are made up of chemical elements. It raises environmental concerns as potential chemicals are released during the production process of screen printing. On the other hand, water-based inks are more environmentally friendly as water is the major solvent in it. Besides this, it reduces harmful toxins and promotes a cleaner and greener printing process.
- Budget-Friendly:
If you are looking for pocket-friendly inks for your screen-printing business. Plastisol inks are considered more affordable and user-friendly; also, these are easy to use. In contrast, when you go to aqueous inks, you face more challenges. These demand a specific type of fiber, which limits its compatibility and makes plastisol ink a popular choice among printers.
- Breathability:
Breathability is about the ability of a fabric to facilitate air and moisture movement. Water based ink absorbs deeper into a fabric, which leaves many openings in the fabric. These openings make the print more breathable, as air can easily pass through the small holes. On the other hand, plastisol inks sit on the top of the cloth and don’t immerse in the fabric. Consequently, it clogs the tiny spaces and makes the cloth less breathable.
- Versatility:
Versatility refers to the flexibility of ink and additives to be used on different types of fabrics under different press conditions. Plastisol ink is more versatile as they are adjustable with blended fabrics, while on the other hand, you will face difficulties as aqueous ink doesn’t absorb into the synthetic and polyester fabric the way cotton does. So, if you want a complex print design with a variety of colors, then you should go with flexible inks.
- Color Accuracy
When your printing design needs to be of exact shade and also if you want more vibrant colors with a unique and extraordinary design. Then you should go with plastisol ink, as it’s a flexible ink that can produce various colors when mixed with different shades. Besides this, it’s suitable for all types of fabrics and provides better color accuracy than aqueous inks.
Which is the best: Plastisol and Water Based Inks
To sum up, both inks are reliable, and accordingly, their usage, like plastisol ink, is best for printing on finished products. On the flip side, aqueous ink is reliable for printing on fabrics, pieces, and rolls. Both the inks have their strengths and weaknesses. Apart from this, they also impact the environment differently. If one ink provides the durability of print, then the other provides a better color vibrancy. Hence, when you are choosing an ink, it’s essential to consider factors that meet your specific needs and are based on the specific application and printing setup.
