SUPPLIES

Plastisol is a printing medium that uses resin or polymer to bind pigment. Plastisol ink is the standard for silk screening because it offers unlimited color options and since its resins can create thick, wear-resistant prints.

1. Rapid Cure Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing
2. Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink Kit 6 Ink Bottles
3. Ecotex White Plastisol Ink Phthalate Formula
4. TRIANGLE Screen Printing Plastisol Inks Black
5. Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Starter Set

For this article, we’ll assume that the term “plastisol” means 100% solids (no added thinner). Solvent-based inks are not considered plastisols unless they meet the criteria above. In other words, if you add Xylene or Toluene to your ink then it’s no longer a plastisol. 

• How to Choose the best Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing?
• How to Handle White Plastisol Inks in Cooler Temperatures?
• How to Remove plastisol ink from shirt?
• How to Clean plastisol ink off screen?

Different inks have different purposes. For example, some are made to be used on dark garments while others work best on light-colored fabrics.

We’ll review the best plastisol inks for each purpose.

TOP Rated plastisol ink screenprint – Reviews

Image	Product	Rated
The Best Plastisol Ink for Silk Printing	Rapid Cure Plastisol Ink 7 colors 8/16/32/128 oz Low temperature curing ink Check Price	Check Price
The Best Plastisol Ink Kit for Screen Printing	Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink Kit 6 Ink Bottles 8 oz Inexpensive Check Price	Check Price
The Best White Plastisol Ink	Ecotex White Plastisol Ink 30+ colors Pint/Quart USA Made Check Price	Check Price

Read More:

The best Water Based Ink for Screen Printing

The best Flash Dryer for screen printing

The Best Plastisol Ink for Silk Printing

Rapid Cure Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing Review

Rapid cure plastisol inks cure as low as 270°F compared to the average plastisol ink that cures at 320°F. This rapid-cure ink will yield a bold, vibrant, and highly opaque color with a body to make it easy to work with on the press.

It also contains low bleed which allows you to print on many different types of cotton and polyester blends! The inks are non-phthalate and CPSIA compliant.

Top benefits of Rapid Cure Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing

• Rapid cure plastisol inks, curing at 270°F compared to 320°F.
• Non-phthalate, CPSIA compliant.
• Made in the USA!

Rapid Cure Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing Low Temperature Curing Ink by Screen Print Direct is a great option if you are looking to save time.

Flash and Curing Guidelines

• Cure at 132° C/270° F
• Flash at 82-104° C/180-200°F

If you want to make sure the ink is fully cured, wash your shirt 5-10 times. If it is under-cured, the ink will show problems after only 1-3 washes.

A quick way to test if it is fully cured is by doing a stretch test. Stretch the shirt and see if it cracks or moves back where you stretched it. If this happens then the ink isn’t fully cured and needs more time to dry before use.

Clean Up

Ecotex Plastisol Press Wash/Ink Degradant

• Clean excess plastisol ink on the press, ideal for use between color changes.

Ecotex Plastisol Screen Wash/ Ink Degradant

• Clean remaining plastisol ink residue from the screen in the sink or washout booth.

Pro Tips

Store plastisol inks at room temperature. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 90º F (32º C) can prematurely cure ink while still in the container.

We highly recommend printing with an under-base white when printing on dark garments.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• Low temperature curing ink.
• Prints well.

Cons

• The ink is not pigmented.

Conclusion

Rapid Cure Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing Low Temperature Curing Ink by Screen Print Direct is a good ink.

It’s easy to use, prints well, and has little-to-no bleeding from dark garments. The only downside is that the ink doesn’t have pigmentation which makes it difficult to cover darker colors with white or light colors.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent product this may not be what you’re looking for but if you want a low-temperature curing screen printing medium at a great price then go ahead and give this one a try!

The Best Plastisol Ink Kit for Screen Printing

Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink Kit 6 – 8oz Ink Bottles Review

Made in the USA, this ink kit is a toner-based plastisol that prints well on cotton and poly blends. It’s easy to work with and has good bleed resistance and fast flash. Developing color quickly on press and not drying out quickly on screen so you can get more of your presses done without it burning up too soon!

Top benefits of Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink Kit

• Comes in a variety of 6 colors.
• Develops quickly on press and doesn’t dry out quickly on screen so you can get more of your presses done without it burning up too soon!
• Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink Kit for Screen Printing Low Temp Cure 6 – 8oz Ink Bottles is a toner-based plastisol that prints well on cotton and poly blends.

Pros

• Full range of colors.
• Inexpensive.
• Lasts a long time.

Cons

• The colors are too dark.

Conclusion

Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink Kit for Screen Printing Low Temp Cure 6 – 8oz Ink Bottles may be a great option if you are looking to print on fabric or paper.

The colors are varied, inexpensive, and last long. Some downfalls that should be considered before a purchase is the dark color of each ink and potential difficulties printing with these inks at lower temperatures (<100°).

If your need is lighter prints then this will not work well for you but otherwise, this product seems like a good investment!

The Best White Plastisol Ink

Ecotex White Plastisol Ink Phthalate Formula Review

Best Brightest Stand Alone White! Ready and easy to use. Great ink for beginner and seasoned printers. Choose from our 30+ colors.

Top benefits of Ecotex White Plastisol Ink

• Non Phthalate Formula.
• Ecofriendly Formula.
• USA Made.

Ecotex White Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing Non-Phthalate Formula is ecofriendly because it uses a non-phthalate formula. This is good for the environment and also good for you. The ink won’t leach harmful chemicals into your skin or lungs, which means you can print in peace without worrying about health hazards.

Printing Tips:

• When you print single colors on dark clothes, they show best over a white under base. If you are printing direct over dark cotton, use a lower mesh count screen.
• Flash and Curing Guidelines: Manual – Flash at 105°C/220°F – 7 – 12 seconds and cure at 160°C /320°F
• Shelf Life and Storage: Exposure to temperatures above 90º F (32º C) can cause the ink to start to cure while it’s still in the container.

Pros

• Easy to Mix.
• Low Odor.
• High Quality.
• Very Durable Prints.

Cons

• Drying time can vary depending on temperature and humidity.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for high-quality ink that will produce durable prints, Ecotex White Plastisol Ink is an excellent choice. The ink dries quickly and has a low odor, but it does need to be mixed before use if left sitting too long.

This plastisol screen printing ink comes with easy instructions on how to mix the product by hand or machine so less time can be wasted waiting around for your screens to dry out before applying more of this awesome white base!

The Best Black Plastisol Ink

TRIANGLE Screen Printing Plastisol Inks Batman Black Review

TRIANGLE Screen Printing Plastisol Inks are high-quality screen printing inks for multiple surfaces. This 1-qt. can of ink is perfect for larger projects or production jobs that require extended periods to complete the design on the screens.

Top benefits of TRIANGLE Screen Printing Plastisol Inks Black

• The color of this ink may differ from what you see through your monitor due to differences in computer monitors and calibration settings.
• TRIANGLE Screen Printing Plastisol Inks Batman Black comes in a plastic container with a lid and a separate metal ball to mix the pigment and resin.
• The best way to apply this ink is via screen printing. Remove the top of the can and pour half of an ounce into another container for later use, as this amount will print about fifty T-shirts or five hundred hats.
• Snip off one corner of your screen so that you can disperse the ink onto your garment evenly without spilling it everywhere either on yourself or your workspace. For optimal results, clean screens immediately after use.

Pros

• The ink dries quickly on screen printing garments.
• The colors are vivid.
• It is durable for washing and perspiration.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Soft, flexible prints which do not crack or peel over time.

Cons

• It is not a color that can easily be covered up.

Conclusion

The colors are vivid, durable against washing and perspiration, environmentally friendly, soft to the touch with flexible prints which do not crack or peel over time. This product could potentially replace your current printer inks if you’re looking for an easy swap!

Fabric Screen Printing Ink Starter Set

Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Starter Set Review

This 6-color set of Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Starter Set includes 1 jar of black, red, blue, white, green, and yellow screen printing ink. These inks are ideal for use on cotton, polyester, blends linen, etc.

The color is vibrant and comes with a soft hand once the heat is set. Additionally, these inks are permanent on fabric if the regimen was done correctly.

Top benefits of Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Starter Set

• Black ink is ideal for those who want a bolder, sharper type of print.
• White ink works best on dark fabrics and provides high contrast between the colors.
• Red and blue inks are perfect for tie dye because they mix well with other colors and produce pleasant results.

These inks are ideal for use on cotton, polyester, etc., as well as paper or cardboard (not for nylon). Inks can be screen printed or painted with a brush and cleaned up easily with water. Wash fast when properly heat-set.

Non- flammable no solvents and no offensive smell. AP certified; conforms to ASTM D4236 standards for safety standards. Made in the USA.

Pros

• It has a good price.
• The ink will last for a long time with a little practice.
• Professional results with minimal effort.
• Comes in many colors and the variety is great.
• Prints on both cotton and polyester materials.
• It is easy to use.
• You can mix colors for your desired project.

Cons

• There are problems in shipping, the paints come open.

Conclusion

Speedball fabric screen printing ink starter set is perfect for beginners or experienced painters. The kit includes everything you need to get started, including 6 bottles of quality inks and a wide variety of colors. This product would be ideal for anyone who wants professional results with minimal effort on both cotton and polyester materials.

How to Choose the best Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing?

When choosing the best Plastisol Ink for your specific needs, there are three main things to consider. These are color, opacity, and adhesion.

Color

Some colors are unique to certain brands of ink. Each brand is known for its own special hues which work better than others on certain fabrics or at different printing temperatures. Red tends to bleed more than other colors so it is not necessary to use red plastisol ink unless you plan on printing it on 100% cotton fabric that will be washed after production. Colors like yellow or orange can be used on anything without staining Heat-set the heat-resistant inks before you wash them so they do not fade when washing your custom t-shirts  Specific colors may be more expensive than others – they also might be in high demand.

Opacity

Thick, opaque plastisol ink is ideal for printing on dark fabrics because it hides the fabric beneath it. Thinner paints are used to print lighter colors onto dark-colored shirts or to get a smooth, blended effect when mixing paint Colors that lack opaqueness will appear transparent and show off the color of your shirt underneath. Make sure you know what sort of opacity level you want before you purchase ​Ink with a low viscosity tends to be thinner and can take longer to dry while thicker inks tend to dry almost instantly.

Adhesion

Plastisol ink sticks pretty well on its own but if you need something extra strong, you can use a heat press to apply it. It works best if you let the ink sit for 10 minutes and then iron it onto the material you’re printing on. If your prints are coming out spotty or faded, not sticking to the fabric well, and wearing off quickly after washing, it could be because your ink is not adhering to your shirt  

When testing plastisol, print one color at a time because even though they dry almost instantly, colors may smear if they touch each other before they set completely. Ask someone you know who already uses Plastisol Ink (preferably with their own personal equipment) for their recommendation. They will know what works best with what machines and fabrics and can help guide you in your purchasing decision.

How to Handle White Plastisol Inks in Cooler Temperatures?

Plastisol Ink that has not yet been heat-set may appear light or even washed out when printing in cooler temperatures. Producing crisp, colorful prints can be challenging under these conditions but there are ways to enhance the opacity of the ink and make sure it sticks better to fabrics.

Heat-setting Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing

A heat press is typically used to imprint designs onto t-shirts with plastisol paint but you can also use it to heat set your paints before they dry on printed material. Heat setting will make colors less transparent and help them stick better to fabrics (especially thin ones)   Your shirts will come out looking more professional if you apply high-temperature settings – do not go below 300 degrees Fahrenheit or else the ink may not properly bond and will come off in the washer.

Using a heat press to set your colors is recommended for 100% polyester and cotton materials but can be used on more than just T-shirts. Items such as mugs, towels, mousepads, hats, and caps are just some of the many things that can benefit from plastisol inks when you use a heat press to dry them more quickly. When deciding on whether or not to add an extra layer of protection against smearing with a heat press while printing on dark fabrics consider how durable you want your final product to be and if it will be handled often. Some artists enjoy designs that fade after excessive while others would rather their prints.

How to Remove plastisol ink from shirt?

There is a variety of ways to remove plastisol ink from fabric. You can use pre-wash sprays, special pens made for screen printing, rubbing alcohol, or acetone (not nails varnish remover).

If you want to go the safest route possible (and save time), buy one of the many effective specialty sprays designed specifically to take plastisol ink off fabrics. If you choose this option, however, make sure you know exactly what type of material your shirt is made out of because certain products may not be suitable for all types of clothing. For instance, solvents like nail varnish removers contain chemicals that could damage some fabrics so do not use them on materials such as silk or leather.

Other methods of ink removal include using any type of rubbing alcohol to take plastisol paint off. Alcohol is more effective in dark colors because the pigment tends to soak into lighter fabrics better.

Remove plastisol ink by dabbing it with a special pen that you can find online or in stores. It’s called a ‘Blockout Eraser’ and most artists recommend finding one around the same size as your screens so it’s easier to use. If you are planning on printing with different color combinations often, consider buying multiple pens because they become dirty rather quickly with repeated use..

Lastly, acetone works very well for removing dye-sublimation ink from clothes too! Just know that if you’re working with silk fabric, acetone could damage it so test a small section first just to be sure.

Don’t use your nails varnish remover on silk! Acetone works better, as does the ‘blackout eraser’ you can buy from any good printer.

How to Clean plastisol ink off screen?

Once the ink has dried it can be a bit of a pain to remove from screens so don’t worry if you get some on your mesh. You can use any type of rubbing alcohol or acetone (not for leather) to clean off excess paint and get rid of the odor left behind by new paints.

Stains on your mesh will not affect how well it coats with paint but they do look unprofessional and may increase drying time. To avoid staining the fabric, simply clean the screens properly after each use instead of waiting until they’re dirty. If you already notice some stains on your screens, there are special products on the market that dissolve them away without harming the mesh – simply follow the instructions and you should be good to go.

The durometer is a measure of the hardness of materials such as polymers, elastomers, and rubber. Thus, higher numbers on the scale indicate greater indentation resistance, harder material has less resistance. It is important to note that the hardness or durometer of a squeegee can change over time when exposed to heat, chemicals and ink, so it is important to keep them clean after use and not let them sit with ink on them. 

Step by Step on DIY squeegee for screen printing  

The RUBBER for Squeege

Step two: 

Squeegees have either three-layer blades with a softer outer edge and a stiffer center. This minimizes bending, allowing the blade to maintain the correct angle and curvature for optimal printing.  

Step three:

The most appropriate tool for cutting rubber for squeegees are scissors, they do a great job cutting rubber for squeegees. 

Cutting Squeegee Rubber

The next step is cutting. The most appropriate tool for cutting is a pair of scissors. 

It does a great job of cutting the rubber of the squeegee.   

Step four:

Installing the Rubber

It can be a little tricky, especially with all the metric and imperial stuff. Because some types of rubber are a little bit thicker than others. We used to use a hammer and hands, but switching to bench vise has made a difference. They make everything very smooth, very fast, and the fresh knife in the vise holds the tool perfectly while you grind the corners.  

Here is a typical aluminum screen printing squeegee with the most common Wilbur 70 durometer blade. This is fine for thin inks, but for very thick plastisol inks, they are not stiff enough to push or pull the ink.

Higher 80 or 90 durometer hardness scrapers will push or pull to take the ink without bending, but they are too stiff to make good contact with the mesh screen and leave a proper ink deposit.  They have both hardness for ink control and softness for good ink deposit.  

But what if you don’t have those three-inch squeezers, or if you prefer soft squeezers, except in some cases. That’s when our squishy modification comes in handy. It’s quick and easy. All you need is a thin but hard steel plate.   

FAQ

What is a screen printing squeegee ?

A screen printing squeegee is a tool that helps transfer ink from the screen onto fabric or other materials during the screen printing process. In this article, we will discuss many things related to it including.

What is an expanded screen printing squeegee?

The expanded screen printing squeegee is the most commonly used type of squeegee. It has a rubber blade to transfer ink onto your material, and it can be made with or without an aluminum frame.

When should I use a screen printing squeegee

An expanded screen printing squeegee should only ever be used on open mesh screens where there isn’t any tension pulling against the mesh.

When should I not use a screen printing squeegee?

One should never try to print with an expanded screen printing squeegee on a flatbed printer where there isn’t any tension pulling against the mesh, as it can destroy your screens and ruin prints. It is also important to note that you shouldn’t ever let go of the handle while using a lever-style screen printing squeegee due to safety concerns regarding sharp blades and hands flying everywhere!

Why do I need a screen printing squeegee?

Screen Printing Squeegees are vital tools for every serious silk screener or t-shirt customizer who wants to be able to produce quality work in their own home without having to spend thousands of dollars outfitting their studio with the latest and greatest screen printing equipment.

How to Use a screen printing Squeegee?

For those who are new to the silkscreening process, it is important to take your time and make sure you’ve got things right. It’s better to go slow than risk ruining an expensive shirt or other material with a less-than-perfect printing job.

When should you not use a screen printing squeegee? – common mistakes and problems associated with using them

One of the most common issues we see when beginners pick up their first screen printing squeegees is that they will try to print without having any tension pulling against the mesh. This can lead to disaster as your screens won’t stay put, ink starts spilling everywhere, and prints come out less than desirable. It’s important to make sure there is always some sort of tension keeping your silk screening in place (and it doesn’t matter if this tension is on the mesh or on your squeegee).

Screen Printing Squeegee Tip:

An expanded screen printing squeegee works best on open mesh screens where there isn’t any tension pulling against the mesh. If you’re trying to print onto a flatbed printer, never let go of the handle while using a lever-style screen printing squeegee due to safety concerns regarding sharp blades and hands flying everywhere!

How to clean screen printing squeegee

The best way to clean an expanded screen printing squeegee is by using mild soap and warm water. It’s also important not to leave the rubber blade in soapy water for more than about 15 minutes, as it could cause your rubber blade to start deteriorating much faster than usual. Otherwise, if you do happen to let go of the handle while using a lever-style screen printing squeegee due to safety concerns regarding sharp blades and hands flying everywhere!

How to Choose the Best Squeegees?

Image	Product	Rated
Best Wooden Ink Scraper Kit for Screen Printing	Caydo Squeegee 9.4 and 5.9 inch 75 Durometer Wooden Check Price	Check Price
Best Screen Printing Squeegee Kit	Worown Squeegee 6 Sizes 75 Durometer Wooden and plastic Check Price	Check Price
Best Aluminum Screen Printing Squeegee	Worown Aluminum Handle Squeegee 13.7 Inch 75 Durometer Aluminum Check Price	Check Price

There are many different factors that should go into choosing which type of squeegee is best for you, but here’s what we think is most important:             

  • Durable Construction – You want something durable so it doesn’t wear out on you too quickly and lose its shape or become unbalanced while in use. Look for one made from quality rubber material if possible because they tend not to warp as much over time compared with other types like plastic or metal.

• Grip Length – Squeegees usually come in a variety of handle lengths ranging anywhere from 12″  to 24″ or longer. You’ll need to consider how much movement you’re going to be doing with the squeegee and choose one that doesn’t strain your arm too much if at all.

• Blade Size – The blade size is usually what determines its stiffness so look for something around 12-14 inches long, but no more than 16″. Anything 18+ inches may be difficult to control in smaller screens because they are already heavy enough as it is. This can also cause excess wear over time which will result in needing replacement sooner than later.

What size squeegee for screen printing

The three factors to consider when choosing a size of squeegee is your hand size, your personal preference, and how big you want your artwork printed on the material you’re using.             

If you’ve got small hands then something like an 18″ or 20″ width may be best suited for you because it will provide better pressure distribution across its broad surface area. If however, you have larger hands then a 12″, 14″, 16″, or even 18″-wide might work out better since those sizes allow more of your hand to be wrapped around the entire length of the squeegee.

Shape of squeegee

This can be a personal preference, but some people prefer to hold the screen printing squeegee by its blade as opposed to around its handle. This is due in part because you’ll have more control over where and how hard it presses against the mesh when holding onto just that instead of both, particularly if you’ve got smaller hands or weaker grip strength. Squeegees with rounded corners work best for this since they allow your fingers to easily slide up and down while smoothly gliding back and forth along the surface area of whatever material you’re using. The blades on these types are usually curved downward too making them ideal for applying pressure from top-down so your artwork doesn’t get smudged or bled through before being pressed.

Rigidity of squeegee

The stiffness of the squeegee is what determines how much pressure it will be able to distribute and just like with its size, your hand strength plays a role in this too. The more rigid blades are better for applying higher pressures while softer ones allow you to press down on an area without damage or distortion that might otherwise occur if using something made from a harder rubber material.

Screen printing squeegee handle

Your personal preference also comes into play when choosing whether to go with a longer handle so you don’t have to bend over as far or shorter one which allows you more freedom of movement around smaller screens. Get yourself something at least 12″ long because anything less won’t provide enough leverage against the surface area you’re working on unless.

best Materials  for screen printing squeegee

The best material to go within general is one made from quality rubber because they don’t warp as easily over time compared with plastic or metal squeegees. They typically last much longer too so you won’t have to worry about needing replacements every couple of months like you might need to otherwise.

Durometer Choices 

The squeegee’s durometer is a rubber hardness rating that allows you to decide how soft or hard it’ll be. The higher the number, the harder it will be just like with anything else in life while lower numbers are typically softer and more flexible.

Squeegees used for printing have an average Durometer of 65-75 which makes them good enough for most purposes without being too stiff so you don’t need excessive pressure to get results out of them. Since they’re usually applied from top-down though, extra stiffness isn’t needed either because there’s no downward force being placed on your artwork otherwise.

Durometers can also help determine if a material is safe for lamination when using solvent-based adhesives by checking their shore hardness. Anything with a durometer of 70 or higher can be safely laminated without causing any damage, warping, or curling to the screen printing squeegee blades which would otherwise occur if using something softer.

– 50-60 hardness scrapers are usually used in situations where more ink is needed. Softer squeegees tend to print more ink the harder of the two. This allows the printer to print more ink for higher opacity and coverage. Use this hardness to print white on black T-shirts or print any high opacity color ink on dark clothing.

– 60 squeegee blades are the softest hardness available and are used for finer prints. The softer blade bends the harder blade and works best with thinner inks. 60 squeegees are also hardest for high-density printing, as they allow more ink to roll through the stencil.

– 70/75 scrapers are medium hardness, and the most commonly used. A 70 durometer mop blade works well with almost any screen printing application and is a great starter option for screen printing starts.

– The 80 scrubber hardness is very stiff and is great for more demanding printing jobs. 80 screen print hardness scrapers are great for printing with thicker screen printing inks such as squirrels and other opaque plastisols.

Types of screen printing Squeegees

There are several different kinds of squeegees available on the market today and they all have their own unique qualities. Let’s go over them briefly so you can get an idea about what your options are if you need one for your business.             

• V-Grip Squeegee – This type has been around for decades and provides adequate performance at a low-cost point. It features a handle with grip grooves allowing for better control when applying pressure while pulling the squeegee across the screen.

• U-Grip Squeegee – This type is similar to the V-grip except that it features an inverted grip, which allows for more ergonomic positioning of your hands while printing. The downside with this one is that you can’t push as hard because there isn’t any back support like in a traditional handle situation.             

• Straight Edge Squeegees – These are flat and rigid pieces of rubber attached to handles at either end allowing for better pressure application when moving them across the surface of the screen (flat side down). You will need both hands applying even amounts of downward force on each side so they do take some getting used to before mastering their use completely.

• Double Edge Squeegees – These are the same as straight edge squeegees except that they have two very sharp edges allowing for quick ink spreading.

Rubber squeegee for screen printing 

• Squeegee Cards – This type work similarly to the straight edge squeegee with a few key differences. They are small and thin, which makes them ideal for stenciling t-shirts or other objects that have smaller surface areas that need coverage.

Price Range of Rubber Screen Printing Squeegee

Typically you can purchase rubber screen printing squeegees in most craft stores like Michael’s Crafts for around $15-$20 dollars each depending on size and quality of course so they’re not too expensive if you only need one for occasional use at home or your business. Just be aware that high prices don’t always mean higher performance though because there is such thing as overpriced items sometimes when it comes to tools like these.

Wood or Aluminum Squeegee?

It is better to choose an aluminum handle because it is more durable. The wooden handle gets wet with frequent use.

Proper Care No Matter What  Type of Squeegee You Have

Squeegees are simple tools so there isn’t too much to worry about when it comes to taking care of them. Just make sure you don’t leave any water or ink on the blade for extended periods of time because they can rust and begin peeling if that happens. Also, avoid hitting your squeegees against hard surfaces (like concrete) during storage because this can cause damage as well rendering them useless in the end.

Many people wonder if they should clean their squeegees after each use or just wait until the job is done. Well, it’s up to you but some

What size squeegee for screen printing

The three factors to consider when choosing a size of squeegee is your hand size, your personal preference, and how big you want your artwork printed on the material you’re using.             

If you’ve got small hands then something like an 18″ or 20″ width may be best suited for you because it will provide better pressure distribution across its broad surface area. If however, you have larger hands then a 12″, 14″, 16″, or even 18″-wide might work out better since those sizes allow more of your hand to be wrapped around the entire length of the squeegee.

Shape of squeegee

This can be a personal preference, but some people prefer to hold the screen printing squeegee by its blade as opposed to around its handle. This is due in part because you’ll have more control over where and how hard it presses against the mesh when holding onto just that instead of both, particularly if you’ve got smaller hands or weaker grip strength. Squeegees with rounded corners work best for this since they allow your fingers to easily slide up and down while smoothly gliding back and forth along the surface area of whatever material you’re using. The blades on these types are usually curved downward too making them ideal for applying pressure from top-down so your artwork doesn’t get smudged or bled through before being pressed.

Rigidity of squeegee

The stiffness of the squeegee is what determines how much pressure it will be able to distribute and just like with its size, your hand strength plays a role in this too. The more rigid blades are better for applying higher pressures while softer ones allow you to press down on an area without damage or distortion that might otherwise occur if using something made from a harder rubber material.

Screen printing squeegee handle

Your personal preference also comes into play when choosing whether to go with a longer handle so you don’t have to bend over as far or shorter one which allows you more freedom of movement around smaller screens. Get yourself something at least 12″ long because anything less won’t provide enough leverage against the surface area you’re working on unless.

best Materials  for screen printing squeegee

The best material to go within general is one made from quality rubber because they don’t warp as easily over time compared with plastic or metal squeegees. They typically last much longer too so you won’t have to worry about needing replacements every couple of months like you might need to otherwise.

Durometer Choices 

The squeegee’s durometer is a rubber hardness rating that allows you to decide how soft or hard it’ll be. The higher the number, the harder it will be just like with anything else in life while lower numbers are typically softer and more flexible.

Squeegees used for printing have an average Durometer of 65-75 which makes them good enough for most purposes without being too stiff so you don’t need excessive pressure to get results out of them. Since they’re usually applied from top-down though, extra stiffness isn’t needed either because there’s no downward force being placed on your artwork otherwise.

Durometers can also help determine if a material is safe for lamination when using solvent-based adhesives by checking their shore hardness. Anything with a durometer of 70 or higher can be safely laminated without causing any damage, warping, or curling to the screen printing squeegee blades which would otherwise occur if using something softer.

– 50-60 hardness scrapers are usually used in situations where more ink is needed. Softer squeegees tend to print more ink the harder of the two. This allows the printer to print more ink for higher opacity and coverage. Use this hardness to print white on black T-shirts or print any high opacity color ink on dark clothing.

– 60 squeegee blades are the softest hardness available and are used for finer prints. The softer blade bends the harder blade and works best with thinner inks. 60 squeegees are also hardest for high-density printing, as they allow more ink to roll through the stencil.

– 70/75 scrapers are medium hardness, and the most commonly used. A 70 durometer mop blade works well with almost any screen printing application and is a great starter option for screen printing starts.

– The 80 scrubber hardness is very stiff and is great for more demanding printing jobs. 80 screen print hardness scrapers are great for printing with thicker screen printing inks such as squirrels and other opaque plastisols.

Silkscreen washing booths are needed to clean frames from an emulsion. The cabins we produce are made of metal on a rigid metal structure. To protect the metal from corrosion, the entire cabin is painted with powder paint and dried in an oven. This technology of metal preservation allows protecting the metal against corrosion and aggressive chemical elements for a long time. The cabin is fully sealed and has a drain into the sewer.

• How to make a DIY Screen Printing Washout Booth?
• How to DIY Water Washout Booth Filtration for Screen Printing?

A washout booth is a type of screen printing equipment that allows for the easy cleanup of screens so they are ready to be used again. With this article, we hope to give you some insight into what these booths are and why someone might want to use them. We will also provide tips on how to set up your own washout booth at home!

What is a washout booth and how does it work?

A washout booth is a machine that cleans screens after they have been used. When setting up your own washout booth, you’ll want to make sure it has everything you need in order to clean off all ink and reclaim your screen. You will also want to keep in mind how big or small this space needs to be, depending on what kind of work you are doing (are their many colors? few?).

Why should I use a washout booth?

Using a washout booth can save time and energy when cleaning screens because it keeps messes contained so they don’t get spread around. This type of set-up frees people from having an area outdoors where paint/ink is being sprayed on a screen, all while keeping your workspace clean and safe for everyone.

The benefits of using a washout booth

Using a washout booth can save time and energy when cleaning screens because it keeps messes contained so they don’t get spread around.

Troubleshooting common issues with the process

When setting up your washout booth, it’s important that you consider all necessary equipment ahead of time (like screens or sponges), as well as where things are going to go once they’re set up! There are some hiccups that can happen during the cleaning/reclaiming part if someone isn’t thinking about what could go wrong beforehand.

How to set up your own washout booth?

It is important that you have everything necessary before setting up your washout booth, as it may take some time to figure out what kind of machine works best with the type of printing process you are using.

The first thing you’ll need is a place where people can sit down (for example if they’re working at their desk), an area where screens can be cleaned off after use (most often carpeted or tiled).

Then make sure there’s enough room between this spot and the seat/desk so someone won’t bump into any equipment or furniture during cleaning breaks.

You will also want to consider where to put your water spigot and drain, as you’ll need them both for the process.

How to make a DIY Screen Printing Washout Booth?

The washer is the simplest device needed to prepare stencils. It is essentially just a washbasin with a splash guard. To create quality stencils, you definitely need a backlight so that the printer can see how the small parts have been washed. And you need side curtains so there’s less splatter flying around.

How to build a Build a Screen Room?

There are many different ways to make your washout booth, but the most common way is by using four walls, a roof, and then ducting for the exhaust.

The first step is to pick out the materials you will be using for your washout booth.

A common type of material is a prefabricated metal frame which can then have plastic sheeting attached overtop, or alternatively, it could just be made from wood and covered with a tarpaulin instead.

Whatever option you choose, make sure that these walls/roofs are water-resistant so they don’t get ruined when exposed to too much moisture!

You’ll also need some kind of fan capable of blowing air inwards towards the user (for example an exhaust system). This will help circulate all harmful fumes away from anyone who might use this space regularly. The last thing want is screens being cleaned off in a room full of fumes!

How to build a Homemade Washout Booth for Screen Printing?

Since washout booths can come in many different shapes and sizes, it’s important you figure out what will work best for your own situation.

If you already know the process is going to be messy (involving lots of colors) or if there are multiple people using this space at once (for example artists working together), then make sure that there is enough room between seats/desks so everyone has ample elbow room when cleaning off their screens!

You’ll also want to keep an eye on where spigots and drains go as they’re necessary for washing away ink after use.

How to build a Washout booth with WOODEN cabinet?

For those of you who are looking to make a washout booth with a wooden cabinet, there is no better way than using plywood!

This material will provide the perfect amount of strength and durability for your machine, as well as being lightweight enough that it’ll be easy to move around if necessary.

Remember though that even though this might seem like an ideal solution due to how affordable it is, wood can warp or rot over time depending on where you live (take into account weather conditions too!).

If this happens then your whole system could fall apart so try not to neglect maintenance work in order to save money. Also, consider what kind of paint/stain you use because some may cause warping also! The last thing anyone wants is a faulty wash-out booth!

How to DIY Water Washout Booth Filtration for Screen Printing?

There are many different kinds of filters that can be used depending on how much you want to spend.

If money is not an issue, then the best way would be to buy a water filtration system! These systems can be installed under your sink so there’s no need for any extra plumbing work. They will continuously filter out particles as they come through the spigot before it flows into your drainpipe or septic tank (depending on what type of system you have). This means less cleaning time and a lower chance of blockages over time!

You can put a sock on the drain to catch any leftover ink. It will eventually be washed away when it runs down into your main system, but you’ll have to clean out this sock regularly so that everything is kept nice and tidy!

DIY Water Washout Booth Filtration for Screen Printing

You do not have to use filtration for water-soluble paints. It is only necessary for water-based inks.

If you put a sock around the drain, any leftover ink will be caught. It will be washed away when it runs down through your main system. But you need to make sure to clean out this sock regularly so everything is neat and tidy.

For the best prints, you need quality to careen printing supplies. Emulsions, for instance, determine the quality of your designs and prints. These emulsions are available from different manufacturers and in different forms with each brand and type having several advantages and disadvantages. Artists can choose between liquid emulsion and emulsion sheets.

1. Speedball Art – Best Selling Emulsion For Screen Printing
2. Jacquard – Best Emulsion For All Around Screen Printing
3. Ecotex AP – Best Screen Emulsion For Water Based Ink
4. Speedball Diazo – Best Brand of Emulsion for Screen Printing
5. Ecotex PWR – Best Photo Emulsion For Screen Printing

When shopping, you will come across three types of emulsions; photopolymer, dual cure, and diazo.

• Reviews
• Buyer’s Guide
• FAQs

Each of these types will have varying exposure times, amount of design details, and light source required. If you have never bought a screen printing emulsion, we will help you get the best option for quality prints.

Screen Printing Emulsion Types – Reviews

Image	Product	Rated
Best Selling Emulsion For Screen Printing	Speedball Diazo Photo Emulsion Kit 6.6 ounces emulsion Diazo Water-based and solvent-based ink Check Price	Check Price
Best Emulsion For All Around Screen Printing >	Jacquard Emulsion & Diazo 8 ounces emulsion Diazo Water-based and solvent-based ink Check Price	Check Price
Best Screen Emulsion For Water Based Ink	Ecotex AP Blue All Purpose Emulsion 16 ounces pre-sensitized Photopolymer Plastisol, UV, and Solvent-Based ink Check Price	Check Price

Read More:

The best Exposure Unit for screen printing

The Best Selling Emulsion For Screen Printing

Speedball Diazo emulsion kit Review

Speedball Diazo is an emulsion kit for highly detailed stencils. With it, you can create photographic screen printing stencils. The main advantage of this emulsion kit is that you do not need a dark room. You can prepare it in normal light conditions and still get great quality results.

Performance

The Speedball Art Products 4559 Diazo works in two steps. Add a sensitizer to activate your emulsion. The sensitizer comes in the form of a thick paste that you have to dilute with water to create the right consistency before adding the emulsion. Because this product comes as a kit, you will have a bottle of sensitizer with the package, which might feel unfilled, but it has content.

The emulsion works with almost all inks, including water-based and solvent-based inks. The emulsion works with a polyester screen fabric, and it is easy to remove with the Speedball emulsion remover. During mixing, the emulsion turns green to show that it is ready for use.

What is in the Package?

The package features a bottle of 6.6 ounces of diazo photo emulsion, 8-ounce of the diazo photo emulsion remover, and 2.12 grams of sensitizer paste. These three items make a full emulsion kit.

Recommendation

The Best Emulsion For All Around Screen Printing

Jacquard kit with an emulsion and a sensitizer Review

Jacquard provides this product as a kit with an emulsion and a sensitizer. You can use it with silk printing, and it works with several screen printing inks. It is available in a convenient bottle that allows you to mix with ease.

The photo emulsion allows you to create highly detailed stencils. Jacquard offers easy-to-follow instructions on how to prep the black emulsion.

Performance

Each shrink-wrapped package carries a jar with eight ounces of emulsion accompanied by a bottle of sensitizer. To start using, dilute the sensitizer with water and mix it with the emulsion. You need to work in a well-ventilated room and ensure the emulsion doesn’t touch your eyes or your skin. Have protective gloves on. You need to place the stencil in a dark room until you are ready to expose it to the light. It works well with a 150-watt light bulb with a reflector with an exposure time of between 45 and 90 minutes.

Recommendation

This is another affordable emulsion. It is easy to mix to create the right consistency for the best prints. We recommend it to someone who needs to create detailed stencils.

The Best Screen Emulsion For Water Based Ink

Ecotex AP Blue emulsion Review

Ecotex AP Blue is an all-purpose emulsion that works with several ink systems, including plastisol, solvent-based, and UV inks. It is ideal for highly detailed prints and for long-run prints. Unlike other emulsion kits, this comes as a ready-to-use one-part emulsion for textile and graphic uses. The dual-cure formula allows it to create sharper edges with enhanced resolution.

Performance

You need to expose the AP blue to a UV LED light bulb for the best results. Anyone who doesn’t have such a light bulb can use TEX-Red, which also works great for beginners. If you work with water-based inks, you should add diazo to make the image last long. The manufacturer recommends that you use their Ecotex emulsion remover to clean the screen and make it ready for print. If you have a red or black LED light, the emulsion will not work. You need a better exposure unit.

Recommendation

The Ecotex AP Blue is ideal when you need a ready-to-use emulsion. There is no time wasted mixing, and you do not have to worry about the ratios – just start making your stencils.

The Best Brand of Emulsion for Screen Printing

Speedball Diazo emulsion Review

The Speedball Diazo allows you to create highly detailed stencils. If you have a photographic design, this emulsion allows you to bring it outright. Like other diazo emulsion options, you do not need a dark room to create the best results. You can apply it under normal light conditions in your workshop. However, you should keep it in a dark place until you are ready to expose it to light.

Performance

Speedball Diazo works with all water-based and solvent-based inks. However, the emulsion only works best with a polyester screen fabric. After creating your design, the emulsion is easy to remove and get your screen ready to use. Although Speedball only offers a bottle of emulsion, the solution is not ready to use.

You have to buy a sensitizer separately. Mix the sensitizer with water and then mix it with the emulsion until the emulsion turns green. You also have to buy an emulsion remover separately.

Recommendation

If you have a sensitizer and emulsion remover, and you only need an emulsion, this product is an affordable option for artists.

We recommend it for artists working with different types of ink for their stencils.

The Best Photo Emulsion For Screen Printing

Ecotex PWR pre-sensitized emulsion Review

The Ecotex PWR comes as a 128-ounce pre-sensitized emulsion, so you can use it out of the box. It is a photopolymer emulsion that works well with water-based and plastisol inks. You can use it if you need the best print definition on different mesh screens. The emulsion is also durable when you need to print long runs. It is also pinhole-free.

Performance

Because the emulsion comes pre-sensitized, you do not need to spend so much time worrying about mixing ratios. For the best prints, the manufacturer recommends that you hold the stencils under yellow safe light. You can also use low-wattage tungsten bulbs, but avoid quartz or halogen lights, daylight lamps, cool fluorescent lamps, and discharge lamps. Before applying the emulsion, you need to degrease and dry your screen. The manufacturer offers you a table showing the exposure time for different mesh screens and colors to help you get the best prints. You can also use the Excotex exposure calculator to understand how long your screen needs to be under light.

Recommendation

Ecotex PWR comes pre-sensitized and ready to use. It is water-resistant, making it long-lasting, and we recommend it for artists who want details on their prints.

Photosensitive Emulsion – Buyer’s Guide

When buying emulsion for screen printing, you need to ask yourself some questions such as:

• What is my skill level? Are you a beginner, or an intermediate, or a pro?
• What kind of ink do you use during screen printing?
• Is the environment you plan to wash your mesh screen in light safe?
• Which exposure unit do you have?

With the answers to the above questions, you will find the right emulsion for your screen printing. For instance, emulsions only work with specific ink systems. Some may work with all ink systems, but most only work with two ink systems. Some need a dark room during preparation and others mix well even in normal light conditions. Choose wisely.

Beginners, use diazo. Since it takes longer to expose, it’s more forgiving to errors whether it’s from exposing issues or light leakage. Remember the 10% rule, if it takes 10 minutes to expose a screen, you could expose a minute over or a minute under before you start running into issues. 

DIAZO (MIXED)

To make a Diazo (mixed) emulsion, you need to add a diazo powder. Mix it with water that has a neutral pH balance like distilled water. You cannot use tap water because the minerals in the tap water will affect the diazo.

After you mix it, keep it in your fridge for two months if you can. It will not last forever even if left at room temperature but can last for two months if kept cold enough.

PRESENSITIZED

This kind of emulsion is sensitive. It shows details and it is very quick to expose. But, it is also sensitive to the sun. So you have to be careful not to make it too close in the daytime, or too far from the sun at night when you wash out your screen. You can have up to a 10% window of error when exposing a screen using 60 seconds as an example where 6 seconds are over or six seconds under before seeing any issues with your exposure time.

Emulsion – FAQs

• How do you prepare an emulsion
• How do you mix emulsion and sensitizer
• What is the best emulsion for screen printing
• How do you clean emulsion sheet
• How do you dry emulsion screens
• What are the exposure times for anthem photo emulsion
• How do you paint emulsion for screen printing
• How do you use red photo emulsion sheets
• How do you pick the right emulsion
• What light is safe for emulsion
• Can you make your own emulsion
• What watt bulb for photo emulsion screen printing

How do you prepare emulsion for screen printing?

If you are using pre-sensitized emulsion, you do not need any prior preparation as the emulsion comes ready to use. You only need to degrease your screen and dry it ready for use. However, if you are using diazo or dual cure emulsion, you will need to mix it with a photosensitizer. You can mix the emulsion with a mixer or with your hands.

How do you mix emulsion and sensitizer for screen printing?

Most emulsions come as a complete kit with an emulsion, a sensitizer, and an emulsion remover. To start using the emulsion, you need to mix it with a sensitizer. Most manufacturers offer the sensitizer in a different color so that you will know once you mix the two agents completely – there will be no streaks. The sensitizer comes as a thick paste that you have to dilute with water in the ratio recommended by the manufacturer. You can use distilled water or tap water and the results will be great.

Once you dilute the sensitizer, mix it with the emulsion until there are no streaks. It is advisable that you mix the emulsion first before you start creating your design. Mixing can create air bubbles in the mixture, which creates pinholes and affects the quality of your work. Leaving the mixture to sit for a few hours allows it to settle and the bubbles to disappear. After mixing the sensitizer and the emulsion, you need to keep the mixture away from light. Some emulsions require that you prepare them in the dark while some work perfectly when prepared in normal light conditions.

What is the best emulsion for screen printing?

You can use diazo, photopolymer, or dual cure emulsion for your screen printing project. You have to vary the exposure times and drying times for the best results. Each will give good results if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The Speedball Art 4559 Diazo Emulsion Kit is an ideal kit and one of the best for beginners and pros alike. It comes with all the three solutions you need to create excellent prints, and it is also easy to mix.

How do you clean emulsion sheet off of a screen for screen printing?

If your screen has dust or a small piece of screen, or even grease, the quality of your prints will suffer. To ensure your screen is ready to use, clean it with a degreaser before applying an emulsion. The same companies that sell emulsions have degreasers to match. After cleaning, leave the screen in a clean dry place for it to dry without any contaminants. You can have a dedicated drying cabinet specially designed for screen.

Read more: How to Clean Screen Printing Screens

How do you dry emulsion screens for screen printing?

After applying your emulsion, you need to dry the screen before you can expose the screen to light. The screen should dry in a warm, but dark room. You can use fans to ensure there is sufficient flow of air in the drying cabinet or dark room. However, when using fans, ensure you do not introduce dust that can affect the quality of your prints. Further, you need a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in the room low. During the drying phase, you should place the screen with the outer part of the screen facing down to allow gravity time to push the emulsion to the outside where you need the stencil. You might need a screen rack for the best screen placement.

What are the exposure times for anthem screen printing photo emulsion?

Exposure times differ based on the emulsion you use and the source of light. If you have the anthem pre-sensitized emulsion, and you expose it to a 500-watt halogen bulb, the exposure time should be eight minutes. The same emulsion needs three minutes with a UV fluorescent bulb, and about one minute with a 100-watt metal halide light.

A two-part diazo needs 15 minutes exposure with a 500-watt halogen bulb. The same emulsion need about six minutes with a UV fluorescent bulb and about two minutes with a 1000-watt metal halide bulb. Anthem Screen Printing offers you an online calculator you can use to calculate the right exposure time for different emulsions.

You can also manually calculate the time as they recommend. Start by estimating the time you think it will take for the emulsion to cure, say 120 seconds multiply that number by 1.5 and divide the product by 10 (120 x 1.5 = 180, 180/10 = 18). You need to divide your screen in four rows and expose each row to light separately while covering all the other rows. Check out the row that came out the best. Subtract the number of the best row from 11 and that will be the most appropriate exposure time. If row four was the best, then the best exposure time is 11 – 4, which is seven minutes.

You can check out more from Anthem Screen Printing here.

How do you paint emulsion for screen printing?

To paint your emulsion, you need to mix it and allow it to settle. Your screen needs to be clean; free of dust and grease. The stencil needs to be on the screen’s print side. You should apply a solid and even coat on the outer part of the screen. You should apply the emulsion to the outside of your mesh screen first and then apply it to the inner side. When you apply pressure to the inside of the screen, you push the emulsion outward and that is how you achieve an even application.

You should apply emulsion with a scoop coater. Fill the scoop coater with your emulsion of choice and place the screen upright, but tilting away from you. Ensure you have a screen holder to keep the screen steady while you apply the emulsion. Pull the scoop up the screen as you apply the emulsion. You only need one coat of emulsion if you do it right. You can, however, apply two coats of emulsion if you need a thick stencil. Apply this second coat to the outside of the mesh screen.

How do you use red photo emulsion sheets for screen printing?

Sheets come in handy when you do not want to deal with mixing the liquid emulsion. Photo emulsion sheets are reusable, and they offer a quick alternative. The trick is to get just the right amount of water on the sheet for it to adhere to your screen.

To use the screen, wet it evenly with water. Remove the excess water with a squeegee. The emulsion might dissolve in water, so you do not need to over-wet it during preparation. Place the dull side of the sheet on the non-well side of the screen and pass a squeegee over it severally so that it adheres to the screen. If there are dry spots on the sheet, wet it again for great adherence. Remove excess water with the squeegee.

Allow the emulsion to dry in a dark room or cabinet. When the setup is completely dry, remove the plastic sheet at the top from the emulsion. Expose the image. The exposure time will vary based on the brand of emulsion sheet and the light source used – always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Wash the emulsion sheet. Note that if all emulsion washes off, the exposure time was not enough, and if it is not easy to wash off the emulsion, then you over-exposed the emulsion. Ensure all the emulsion washes out so that it doesn’t black any holes on your screen. Allow the screen to dry completely before you start screen printing.

How do you pick the right emulsion for screen printing?

The quality of your results will depend on your experience level and the exposure unit you use. For beginners and people using a light other than LED light, you should go with a dual cure emulsion. The dual cure emulsion offers a wide exposure latitude so that you can develop it with ease and washing out is also easy.

If you are using LED light, you will need quick fast exposure times. In such a case, a photopolymer emulsion will meet your needs. Photopolymers are the most sensitive to LED and UV light. You can use the light when you need to create fine details and half tones. A diazo emulsion is ideal when you want to create detailed designs. Diazo is the most forgiving for over or under exposure.

If you do not want to deal with mixing of the emulsion and want an easy way to do screen printing, you can go with an emulsion screen. These sheets are easy to apply, and they give consistency when you need it.

What light is safe for emulsion screen printing?

The best light for the screen printing is one that produces ultra violet light. Fluorescent and halogen lamps offer a low amount of the UV light, but they are inexpensive. This is why they are ideal for small businesses and hobbyists working from home. Metal halides and mercury vapor bulbs are high in UV light, but these options are expensive and not commonly used by many small businesses and hobbyists. LED exposure units are also common as with small businesses and hobbyists.

If an exposure unit is rich in UV light, it requires a shorter exposure time that is low in UV light. The type of emulsion and the type of art you want to create also determine the duration of exposure of the lights.

Can you make your own emulsion for screen printing?

You can make your own emulsion at home using a few materials. You will need the following:

• Water
• A bowl rubber glover
• A whisk
• PVA glue
• Ammonium dichromate crystalline powder
• Dark container with a lid
• A respiratory mask

The process is simple. First, mix a tablespoonful of Ammonium Dichromate with two ounces of water and stir until all the powder dissolves. Add about six ounces of PVA glue into the solution and stir for about two minutes or until everything mixes evenly.

Whisk the solution and add equal amount of PVA glue and Ammonium Dichromate until the solution turns slate blue and thickens. Pour the solution in a dark container and place the lid tightly. Store it in a dark place. You can use potassium dichromate instead of ammonium dichromate, but the former requires a very short exposure time, thus giving it a brittle texture. You need to work in a well ventilated room as ammonium dichromate is toxic and can affect your skin and your eyes. Exposure to the chemical for a long time can cause cancer.

Instead of all the hassle, you can pick one of the ready emulsions above. Check out the formulation process on this article.

What watt bulb for photo emulsion screen printing?

You can use a 150-watt or a 250-watt bulb or a 300-watt bulb. The wattage of the bulb and the size of the screen will determine the distance of the bulb from the screen and the exposure time. For instance, a 150-watt incandescent bulb should be about 12 inches from an 8×10-inch screen and the exposure time should be about 45 minutes.

Conclusion

There are so many types and brands of emulsion to choose from. These include photopolymers, diazo, dual cure, and emulsion sheets. The brands are also many with Speedball being one of the top brands. When shopping, you need an emulsion that is easy to mix, easy to apply, and easy to remove. You also need one that matches your skill levels. For instance, we find dual cure emulsion and emulsion sheets easy to use. The others are great when you need to create detailed art, but they need a skilled artist to create.

If you do not want to deal with mixing the emulsion, you can buy a pre-sensitized emulsion. A pre-sensitized emulsion comes with the photosensitizer already mixed into the emulsion. This way, you do not have to spend your time mixing.

Water-based ink screen printing is rapidly increasing across the industry. While plastisol ink is cheap, easy to use, and readily available, water-based inks offer some real advantages to a business and its customers. Besides their eco-friendly properties, water-based inks unlock powerful printing capabilities with very appealing results. You only need to cure the ink properly, and you’re good to go.

1. Speedball Black – Best Price Water Based ink
2. Speedball Starter Set – Best Water Based Inks for Beginners
3. Ecotex Snow White – Best Eco-Friendly Formula Water Based Ink
4. Speedball White – The Best Easy Cleanup Water Based Ink
5. Ecotex Standard Ink Kit Best Color Mixing System Water Based Ink

Who is this product for? Besides screen printing, water-based inks offer a wide range of applications, including art education and studios. Most brands are easy-to-use (you can rely on YouTube videos) with hassle-free workability properties.

Moreover, users can easily clean water-based ink with soap and water. Doesn’t that sound great if you’re working on paints in your basement art studio?

However, you’ll only have a great experience if you buy a suitable ink. Remember, you can choose to purchase water-based inks in sets or individual colors. Also, you would want to use the best emulsion for all-around screen printing if you want high-quality, consistent production.

This article reviews five top-ranking water-based inks for home and commercial screen printing applications. We also included a buying guide that gives more in-depth information about water-based inks. This guide will also help you with the selection process.

TOP Rated Water Based Screen Print Inks – Reviews

Image	Product	Rated
Best Price Water Based ink	Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink 8-ounce bottle Non-toxic formula Speedball is a reputable brand Check Price	Check Price
Best Eco-Friendly Formula Water Based Ink	Ecotex Snow White Water Based Ink 16-oz jar Bright, crisp, and opaque color Eco-friendly formula Check Price	Check Price
The Best Easy Cleanup Water Based Ink	Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink 32-ounce bottle Higher performance for a low price Made in the USA Check Price	Check Price

The Best Price Water Based ink

Speedball Water Based ink Review

Speedball is a reputable brand famous for manufacturing screen printing ink for paper and textile applications. All water-based inks from this manufacturer are pretty forthcoming in quality and high-performance. This ink is non-flammable and non-toxic; you can easily clean your working area with soap and water. Besides, the 8-ounce packaging jar is relatively economical to give back your money’s value.

Features and Benefits

You’re looking at a versatile ink ideal for various applications, including fabric, paper, and cardboard. You can apply it to a wide range of materials, including linen, cotton, rayon, polyester, and synthetic blends. You’ll experience the best results if you apply this ink on dark fabric, especially if you’re after vibrancy and opacity. It also gives good results on light-colored cloth.

The best part? This water-based ink is permanent on fabric once correctly heat set. Moreover, it guarantees excellent workability properties, whether you are a beginner or an experienced user. You can also buy this black water-based ink for classroom and studio applications. Students will find it safe and easy to use. Remember, you only require soap and water for cleaning.

High Performance, Low Price

Generally, this black ink from Speedball is a go-to option if you want to create bold, vivid details without breaking the bank. Whether your business specializes in screen printing or art education, this top-performance water-based ink gives superior coverage to enhance client satisfaction. On a scale, this product ranks as the best money value.

The Best Water Based Inks for Beginners

Speedball water-based ink KIT Review

If you’re starting your screen printing or art education business, you want a water-based ink set that provides smooth workability without compromising the budget. This ink set from Speedball comes in 25 rich colors that are permanent once correctly heat set. The colors include innovative blends such as Night Glo, opaque, fluorescent, and process colors.

This set contains six 4-ounce jars of raspberry, silver, pearly white, black-pearl, blue topaz, and citrine inks, ready for use in fabric screen printing. However, you can also paint the inks directly on the material surface, especially in studio and art education applications. Also, you don’t need any solvents when painting with a brush.

Features and Benefits

Unlike most products, this set gives you a great variety of inks for use in multiple applications. Besides, the inks offer excellent opacity without sacrificing time-consuming workability. Hence, it doesn’t matter whether you apply the inks on light or dark-colored fabric; the results will be great.

This water-based ink is safe for beginners, especially children in an art studio or laboratory. Besides the AP seal on each color on the set, this product guarantees a quick soap and water cleanup. Generally, it is a go-to product if you’re after shimmering colors. It leaves stunning and iridescent effects on various fabrics, including cotton, rayon, linen, polyester, and other synthetic blends.

The Best Eco-Friendly Formula Water Based Ink

Ecotex white water-based ink Review

If you’re looking for a stand-alone white water-based ink, you might want to consider this product from Screen Print Direct ™ brand. You’ll likely have a good experience if you’re a first-timer because it comes ready from the container and doesn’t require discharging. Besides being bright and vivid, Snow White produces a soft hand on fabric. Moreover, you can also apply it on high mesh counts, either separately or with other inks, to create multiple effects.

Features and Benefits

The average consumers prefer associating themselves with green businesses to reverse climate change. This water-bases ink features an eco-friendly formula, free of PVC. Besides, it originates in the USA, making it a go-to option if you’re after quality consistency. For better results, the manufacturer recommends using Snow White with a water-resistant emulsion such as WR-Blue emulsions.

Snow White has a low viscosity, guaranteeing you opaque colors with a soft hand on fabric. If applied correctly, it penetrates the fabric (soft, breathable garment) to create great details. Your customers will likely experience 100% satisfaction, thanks to bright and crisp printings.

Color Matching Information

Kindly note that not all colors will discharge well, except for red, blue, and purple. In that case, your color matching applications may not be exact. Also, before going into production, you can do the wash and stretch test to ensure the cure and printing are correct. If this taste fails, you would want to increase the cure efficiency.
The manufacturer recommends using Snow White on natural fibers since 100% cotton material gives the best results.

The Best Easy Cleanup Water Based Ink

Speedball white water-based ink Review

Are you a beginner printmaker? Finding the correct ink that guarantees excellent workability properties can be pretty daunting, especially if you have a slim budget. Well, not anymore. This white, water-based ink from Speedball comes in an economical 32-ounce bottle.

The formula is non-flammable and doesn’t include any harsh solvents or smells that can trigger allergic reactions. Most importantly, you can easily clean this product with soap and water after working without using any bleaching chemicals.

Great Performance

This white water-based ink prints vibrantly on fabrics, cardboard, and paper. Thus, it is versatile for wide applications beyond screen printing. You can use it in your art studio or art education classroom. This ink allows creating bold and vivid colors for business applications, thanks to its greater coverage and smoother workability. You can use it on a great selection of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, rayon, linen, and other synthetic blends.

What else guarantees quality results in this product? This ink produces a super-soft hand on all applicable fabrics and is permanent once correctly cured. Besides, it comes with an AP seal to guarantee safety.

The Best Color Mixing System Water Based Ink

Ecotex Standard Ink Kit Review

Lastly, you can also settle for this high-quality CMS- Color Mixing System from Screen Print Direct™ brand. You’re looking at a go-to business product that allows you to create any color you want on the Pantone system using only 14 colors.

The best part? The kit includes all 14 colors with user-guide information. Thus, you’ll likely have a good experience, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced printmaker.

Features and Benefits

This water-based kit comes in six primary colors: yellow, green, jet black, process blue, rubine, and snow white. The ink is ready to use and is exceptionally gentle on garments. You can use this product as a discharge ink on various surfaces such as fabric, wood, and even poster paper. Moreover, the low-viscosity ink kit has high opacity, giving you bold and vibrant colors on press.

Mixing Information

As noted, this ink kit is ideal for water-based printing, especially on light color garments. Thus, you can use it directly from the bottle or add a discharge powder for discharge printing applications. However, you’ll need to mix thoroughly to dissolve all the chunks or grains before discharge printing applications. The discharge powder lasts for about an hour after adding it.

Which Emulsion Can You Use?

The manufacturer recommends a high-quality, water-resistant emulsion such as DC-Pink or WR-Blue. Remember, both these options require mixing diazo. Also, it will help if you degrease the screen before coating it with the emulsion. In that case, Ecotex All Purpose Chemistry Kit can prove tougher on stains.

Water-Based Ink for Screen Printing Buyer Guide

What is Water-Based Ink?

As the name suggests, water-based inks for screen printing utilize water as the primary solvent. However, different brands may contain several co-solvents, sometimes petroleum-based. In that case, the manufacturer will label the product “flammable.” Even though co-solvents perform varying functions, the primary purpose is decreasing the heat time to cure the ink film. You can use water-based inks on fabrics, cardboards, and even wood.

Types of Water-Based Ink

Water-based inks come in different types, each with a unique set of techniques to get a particular job done. Thus your go-to option depends on aesthetic preferences and the needs of your customers or art students. The prevalent types include:

Traditional Water-Base

Tradition water-base inks use pigments or dyes in an emulsion with water as the primary solvent. In that case, use the best-selling emulsion for screen printing if you’re after consistent, high-quality results. The cure temperature for traditional water-based ink for screen printing is about 300-320°C. You’ll need to cure the ink for about 2-3 minutes, ideally in a forced-air dryer.

The dryer evaporates the water from the ink. Water-base ink is an incredibly soft hand in fabric and guarantees long-term, vibrant colors when correctly heat set. However, water-based inks are not very opaque and may dry in unsealed containers. Thus, amateur printmakers may not have a good workability experience with it. Even so, varying brands may exhibit different properties that enhance your overall experience.

Discharge Ink

Discharge ink, just like traditional water-based inks for screen printing, also uses pigments or dyes in an emulsion, with water as the primary solvent. You would want to use the best brand of emulsion for screen printing. However, most formulas in discharge ink for screen printing deactivate dyes when applied to natural fabrics. Thus, you’ll need to use an activator/ catalyst before application. Once you add the activator to the ink, it will have a 4-hour pot life. Again, you’ll need to cure discharge inks at a temperature of 300-320° C for 2-3 minutes, ideally in a forced-air dryer. The curation process evaporates water from the ink and enhances color vibrancy. Kindly note that discharge inks for screen printing won’t give you vibrant colors unless appropriately cured.

Discharge inks for screen printing are incredibly soft hands in 100% cotton fabric. They also reduce the screen counts on press. However, it is critical to note that discharge inks may react to the dye on the garment. Thus, they may not be ideal for non-100% cotton surfaces. Discharge inks for screen printing also have a 4-hour pot life once activated.

High Solids Acrylic

Lastly, some printmakers prefer high solids acrylic ink for screen printing, popularly known as high solids water-based inks. These inks feature a PVC alternative (acrylic polymer) or polyurethane with a high binder content. High solids acrylic inks for screen printing are more opaque than traditional water-based inks and print better on darker garments than the latter. High solids acrylic inks follow the same curation rules and properties as water-based inks, where heat retention still plays a significant role. How do you know that high solid inks are ready for application after you cure? Typically, these inks exhibit a rubbery feel when adequately cured.

The main advantages of high solid acrylic inks include high opacity and soft hand in fabrics. They print in the same quality on a variety of materials. If you’re experiencing a difficult time with the ink drying on screens, you can add additives to enhance pot life or alter the cure temperature and heat retention time.

The Advantages of Using Water-Based Ink for Screen Printing

While plastisol ink is readily available at a relatively affordable price, why do screen printers spend a lot of time and energy learning how to use and apply water-based inks? What are some of the advantages that set these inks apart? They include:

Better Feeling

You can make a soft print using any ink for screen printing, depending on your skills and experience. Even so, water-based inks are the best when it comes to creating an impression that is nearly as soft as the garment itself. That is why the average consumer prefers water-based inks to anything else.

Eco-Friendliness

Generally, water-based inks are eco-friendly, and they contain fewer toxins, even though some may constitute petroleum products. Some users may argue that petroleum ingredients are not environment-friendly. However, most experts view water-based inks as eco-friendly because they require less carbon print to manufacture. Moreover, water-based inks produce less waste that goes to the drain compared to other traditional inks used for screen printing.

Long-Lasting Results

If you have an old t-shirt printed before the arrival of water-based inks, you may notice that the ink fades, crinkles, or even chips after a few washes. Water-based inks will save your customers from going through such an experience. As their name suggests, water-based inks embed permanent pigments on garments after evaporating the solvent (water). If you cure the ink adequately, these pigments become a permanent part of the garment.

Breathability

Do you have an old t-shirt with a relatively large plastisol ink print on it? If yes, you understand that it can be pretty uncomfortable to wear that t-shirt during summer because plastisol inks are unbreathable. Well, that is not the case with water-based inks. A high-quality water-based ink embeds the pigment within the garment’s fiber, allowing air to pass through. No matter how large the print is, your garment will feel comfortable throughout all seasons.

Higher Details

Lastly, an innovative printmaker would go for water-based inks because they allow more incredible details than traditional plastisol. Water-based inks are generally thin, making them ideal for extremely high mesh counts application. Thus, it is easier and quicker to create photorealistic results or microscopic details with water-based inks. Most importantly, water-based inks won’t sacrifice color for quality.

Factors to Consider When Buying Water-Based Inks for Screen Printing

Even with the expert recommendations, choosing the correct water-based inks for your screen printing business can be a pretty daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time. You would want an ink with qualities that fit your business model and the needs of your customers. Most importantly, you would want brands that guarantee user-friendly workability properties. In that case, have the following in mind when choosing the best water-based ink for screen printing:

The Curing and Drying Requirements

The main printing processes that affect the quality of your final print are curing and drying. The requirements of curing and drying a particular water-based ink determine the machine you’ll use. In most cases, it will be a forced-air dryer. But what is the essence of curing? Curing forms a thermochemical bond between the base and the pigment. However, curing and drying water-based inks for screen printing takes longer than other options such as plastisol and dry inks. Therefore, you would want a brand that guarantees pretty manageable curing and drying requirements to decrease energy consumption. Thus, go for ink that requires about 2-3 minutes of drying time at relatively high temperatures of not more than 200° C

Shelf Life or Pot Life Considerations

Shelf life refers to the duration which a water-based ink can last on shelf storage in its original sealed container. On the other hand, pot life refers to the usable period of a water-based ink when mixed or activated. You would want to choose a brand that lasts for up two years on your shelf before breaking the seal. Water-based inks with a relatively prolonged shelf life are a go-to option if you order your supplies in bulk. As for pot life, you can go for ink that lasts for about eight hours or a day. Remember, breaking the seal when you’re not ready can make some of the ingredients evaporate.

When considering the shelf life and pot life of a particular water-based ink, you would also want to consider the ink’s dwell time. Dwell time refers to the duration in which the ink can stay in the screen mesh during action printing before it dries or clogs the screen mesh. Unfortunately, the dwell time for water-based inks is just a few minutes before the ink dries. If you’re not keen, it can block the screen mesh, impeding production. So, what’s the solution? You would want to use evaporation-retarding chemicals such as wetting sprays when printing.

Hand Feel and Artwork

A great hand feel and artwork are the particular tributes that influence printmakers to choose water-based inks for screen printing instead of other options. But do all water-based inks for screen printing guarantee an excellent hand feel and artwork? The answer is no. It depends on the brand quality and how you master the art of screen printing, especially during cure. Moreover, the results may not be similar for all fabrics. For instance, you wouldn’t want to use water-based inks to screen printing large print blocks on synthetic materials such as athletic garments. This is because water solvent doesn’t adhere properly to synthetic fabrics

Cost Per Print

Generally, water-based inks for screen printing attract the highest cost per print than other options. This is because each pot or jar of water-based ink contains about 50% solid pigments, with the rest being solvents (mostly water) or surfactants. Moreover, the additional demands for curing the ink can be pretty expensive, especially if you do it on a small scale. So, how do you mitigate the high cost per print to end up with a relatively affordable process? It will only help if you save in terms of the initial cost. Watch out for brands that come in relatively inexpensive price tags. You would also want to associate your business with suppliers who guarantee complimentary after-sale services such as free shipping or delivery. That way, you’ll cut the general costs of acquiring a product.

The Pros and Cons of Each Brand

Lastly, you would consider the pros and cons of each brand before settling on the best option. Generally, all water-based inks are PVC-free and give a very soft hand feel on print. However, if you choose the wrong brand, it can block your screen, causing production stoppages. Some brands may also emit excess VOCs. So, how do you know that a particular water-based ink is reliable? Not all manufacturers will highlight the cons as part of the product’s description or advertisement. In that case, it will help if you go through other customer reviews found on the manufacturer or authorized vending sites. Your fellow customers will point out what they like or don’t about a specific brand. Treat most positive reviews as direct recommendations.

Wrapping It Up

Water-based inks are a go-to option if you want to give your customers the softest and long-lasting custom fabrics. However, besides the workability properties of water-based inks, the screen-printing technique also adds value to the final detail to impress customers. Hence, it will help if you master the art from the word go. You would want to use the best screen printing screen emulsion for water based inks, especially as a coating after degreasing the ink. For image prints, the best photo emulsion for screen printing will help get the job done. All the products featuring on this buying guide are pretty forthcoming in quality and performance consistencies. However, each brand is unique. You’ll need to consider your aesthetic preferences and your customers’ needs before finding what works best for you.

How to Mix Water Based Ink?

Water-based ink utilizes either dyes or pigments in a suspension with water as the solvent. The evaporation of the water is necessary to set or cure the ink.

What’s The Difference?

Plastisol ink is a PVC (Some inks are Phthalate Free) based system that essentially contains no solvent at all. Plastisol is a thermoplastic ink in that it is necessary to heat the printed ink film to a temperature high enough to cause the molecules of PVC resin and plasticizer to cross-link and thereby solidify, or cure. The temperature at which most plastisol for textile printing cures at is in the range of 300 °F to 330°F

Both types of ink are very popular. However, for the most part, they are used in very different applications. Both inks have technical advantages and disadvantages for use in specific applications. They also each have their own environmental impacts and these should be considered for the particular application and shop setup.

Read More:

The Best Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing

The best Water Based Ink for Screen Printing

About Plastisol and Plastisol Advantages

Plastisol can best be described as a “user-friendly” ink because it is very easy to manage.  It is an oil-based ink and has been used by screen printers for a long time.  It’s popular to start with because it is easiest to print with, though the clean-up requires a little more work.

Plastisol can be left on the screen for extended periods of time without clogging the mesh. It is ready to use right out of the container more than 90% of the time. In most applications, it can be printed wet-on-wet, which allows for increased production speeds. It comes in formulations that can be printed on light and dark fabrics. And, in most municipalities, the disposal of waste plastisol is a very simple process.

Plastisol does not “dry”. In order for a compound to dry, there must be evaporation of some kind of solvent. Since plastisol has little or no solvent, it cannot dry. Because of this characteristic, plastisol can be left in screens, the lids can be left off of the ink containers (although keeping them covered is a good practice to keep lint and dirt out of the ink), and ink left at the end of the job can be returned to the container for reuse without any adverse effects. This last practice is a great benefit in reducing waste products.

Plastisol is extremely versatile in that most printers never have to amend the ink. They are able to use it directly from the container without ever adjusting the viscosity or the strength.

Plastisol comes in strengths from transparent to very opaque and most printers will have the various versions available to use, depending upon the type and color of fabric they are printing on. The various opacities of ink also vary greatly in price with the most opaque being the most expensive, mainly due to the cost of the increased pigment.

Plastisol Disadvantages 

Since Plastisol is a thermoplastic, it will remelt if it comes in contact with anything hot enough. For that reason, plastisol prints cannot be ironed. If an iron touches a print, it will smear the ink.

Plastisol ink also creates an ink film that can be felt with the hand. The higher the opacity of the ink, the greater the hand. This heavy hand is considered a disadvantage at the consumer level.  Some customers don’t mind a thicker, ‘bullet-proof’ print, but others will want a softer, more breathable print, which is more difficult to obtain with plastisol.

One of the most important practices when using plastisol ink is to keep the ink clean. What this means is that it is very beneficial and cost-effective to keep plastisol colors from being contaminated by dirt, lint, or even other colors of ink. By maintaining clean shop practices, there will be a great reduction in ink waste.

Clean ink can be returned to the original ink container for reuse. There is no degradation in the quality of plastisol as long as it is not mixed with other colors or contaminated with foreign materials.

Plastisol that has been contaminated with other colors is can still be retained in a separate container for blending with other waste ink. Often times this waste ink can be used to create new colors or, it can be over pigmented with fresh pigment to create a dark color, such as black, for use on less critical jobs. With good plastisol ink management, waste can be reduced to a very small percentage.

Plastisol product that is unusable is not considered hazardous waste in most municipalities as long as it is solidified (cured). The best way to achieve this cure is to heat the waste container itself to 160 °C (320 °F) for a period long enough to cure the ink all the way through.

In practice, a one-gallon container of plastisol will cure all the way through in approximately one hour. If the plastisol needs to be disposed of in an uncured state, then hazardous chemical regulations usually apply. For either cured or uncured disposal, it is recommended that you always check with local regulatory agencies. 

The biggest environmental hazard in the use of plastisol comes in the screen and equipment cleaning steps. In order to emulsify the ink for easy removal from screens, squeegees, flood bars, spatulas, and work surfaces, it is necessary to use some type of solvent. The waste ink and the solvent must be disposed of properly in order to minimize environmental impact.

The screen printing industry has been very proactive in the creation of products that can minimize the impact of these cleaning processes. Solvents are available that are “more” environmentally sensitive than the traditional petroleum-based solvents. In addition, there are many types of filtration and cleaning systems available to capture inks and solvent residues to minimize the solids that are discharged into the sewer system. 

About Waterbased and Waterbased Advantages

Water-based inks are defined as those that utilize water as the main solvent. That does not mean, however that water is the only solvent. It is significant to note that many water base inks contain co-solvents which may even be petroleum-based solvents. The reason these co-solvents are used varies, but one of the key reasons is to decrease the time and heat necessary to cure the ink film on the fabric. 

Water-based inks are a good choice when a soft hand is desirable. A soft hand is a condition where the ink film cannot easily be felt with the hand when passed across the surface of the fabric. This effect is often used as an argument for why water-based is preferable to plastisol as plastisol has more of a hand than water-based.

Water-based ink also has the advantage of being an excellent ink system for high-speed roll-to-roll yardage printing. Such printing is done on large sophisticated equipment that has a very large drying (curing) capacity.

Water-based ink also is a good choice where ink penetration is desirable, such as in towel printing. Towels have a high nap fabric that must be printed in a manner where the ink penetrates or wicks through to the base fabric for adequate coverage.

Water-based inks that are designed to wick into the fabric are excellent for this application. Ink wicking is not a desirable effect in most other fabric printing as it will destroy the design and registration of multiple colors.

Disadvantages of Water-based Ink 

Water-based ink is much more difficult to cure than plastisol. A shop that is interested in printing water-based ink must have the drying capacity to remove the water. The dryers used for water-based printing tend to be larger than those needed for plastisol.

In plastisol printing, the ink film must only reach the cure temperature for a brief moment. With water-based ink, the temperature must be reached and then held until all of the solvent (water) is removed. There are water-based inks that will air dry but they are usually only acceptable for craft level printing as the room required for curing greatly reduces productivity.

Many water-based inks can also be more quickly cured with the addition of a catalyst that will assist the heat in the curing of the ink by continuing the cure even if all of the water is not removed in the dryer. The disadvantage of a catalyst is that once it is added to a water-based ink, it creates a time limit or pot life where the ink must be all used in a certain time or be discarded.

Most catalyzed water-based ink pot life is between four and twelve hours. Since water-based inks contain water as an evaporative solvent, care must be taken to prevent the ink from drying on the screen. If water-based ink is left in open-mesh for even a short period of time, it can clog the mesh and ruin the screen.

Practiced water-based ink printers must always be conscious of how long a screen sits between prints to prevent the ink from drying in. While modern water-based inks are less prone to this phenomenon, it is still a concern.

In addition, when a water-based print job will take more than one day, the ink must be removed and the screen cleaned to prevent drying. The ink is then put back on the screen on the next workday and the job is continued.

Water-based ink is also much more aggressive than plastisol towards the emulsion that is used to create the screen stencil. Emulsion manufacturers all make water-resistant emulsions that must be used for water-based printing.

If a standard emulsion is used, the water-based ink will destroy the stencil by melting the emulsion in as little as a few minutes. Even when the proper emulsion is used, screen life tends to be much less with water-based printing than it is for plastisol printing.

There is a common misconception that because water can be used for cleaning screens, squeegees, and tools, that the wastewater can just be discharged into the sewer. However, water-based ink is not just water.

There are pigments, binders, thickeners, and sometimes, even co-solvents in the ink residue. Screen cleaning systems that can at least capture the solids are still recommended. In addition, water-based that has not been catalyzed can be returned to its container for reuse. If the ink has been catalyzed, it should be considered hazardous waste unless it can be dried out (all water and solvent removed) before discarding. If it cannot be dried, it should be disposed of as hazardous waste.  

Summary

Whether printing with plastisol or a water-based ink system, you are still printing a chemical compound. Therefore, it is essential that proper handling and disposal methods be practiced. As stated above, there are advantages and disadvantages to each ink system. The key is to use the proper ink for the application, minimize waste products, and always dispose of waste properly.