Plastisol, High Solid Acrylic (HSA), and Waterbase inks are the most popular options for screen printing, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of each ink to help you decide which type is best for you, your brand, and the environment.

Plastisol Inks:

• Vibrant and Opaque Prints: Plastisol inks provide excellent color opacity and brightness. They create bold and vibrant prints that stand out.
• Ease of Use: Plastisol inks are generally easy to work with, especially for beginners. They have a thicker consistency, which makes them easier to control during the printing process. They do not dry in the screen, allowing for longer print runs without the need for constant attention.
• Good Shelf Life: Plastisol inks have a long shelf life. They do not dry out when stored properly, allowing for extended usability and reduced ink waste.
• Durability: Plastisol inks offer high durability and wash fastness. They adhere well to fabrics and can withstand numerous washes without significant fading or deterioration.

High Solid Acrylic (HSA) Inks:

• Eco-Friendly: Water-based inks are more environmentally friendly compared to plastisol inks. They contain fewer harmful chemicals and VOCs, resulting in lower emissions during printing. Water-based inks are non-toxic and can be cleaned up with water, eliminating the need for harsh solvents.
• Soft Hand Feel: HSA prints have a softer and smoother hand feel. The ink changes the color of the fabric fibers, resulting in prints that are more comfortable to wear and have a less noticeable texture.
• Vibrant Colors on Light Fabrics: Water-based inks offer excellent color saturation and vibrancy, particularly on light-colored or white fabrics. They can achieve a wide range of colors and shades, providing vivid prints.

Waterbase Inks:

• Soft Hand Feel: Discharge inks, when properly cured and post-treated, can provide a soft and smooth hand feel on printed fabrics. The original dye or pigment in the fabric is removed, leaving behind a print that feels like the fabric itself.
• Vintage and Muted Appearance: Discharge inks are known for their ability to create a vintage or muted look on dark-colored fabrics. They can produce subtle and distressed effects that give prints a worn or aged appearance, which is desirable in certain styles and designs.
• Color Variety: Discharge inks can be combined with pigments to create a range of colors on dark fabrics. By selecting different pigments, printers can achieve an endless variety of hues and shades, allowing for creative flexibility.