Discuss the different plastisol screen printing inks and curing methods on the market. Share tips on getting the best results with the different ink manufacturers.
Hey I'm relatively new the the t-shirt printing world. Our company currently prints with Plastisol inks, but we're getting a lot of requests for organic inks and water-based inks.
What are the differences between plastisol, organic, and water-based inks? More specifically, what are the differences in their use during production? (equipment needed, ink treatment, drying, etc.)
If anyone would like to post links to suppliers, that would be most helpful [appreciated]
Hey I'm relatively new the the t-shirt printing world. Our company currently prints with Plastisol inks, but we're getting a lot of requests for organic inks and water-based inks.
That is good to hear that you've been getting requests! I asked my printer about water-based inks (I've been asking for a couple of years) and I'm the only one who has asked!
Yes, there are tons of threads about water-based inks - give us more specific questions!
__________________ MotherTongues wear words - celebrate cultures
I have been looking for a soy based ink system for a little while now but have not found any commercially viable yet. I have used water based inks in the past and they are difficult to work with they dry in the screen, and are difficult to cure, but do have a better hand. Unless you have been screen printing for a while stay away from water based. Best thing to do look soy inks possibly in a craft store but they will be expensive there. Plastisols are easy to work with they never dry unless hit with a certain temp if you leave Water based in the screen for a hour it will dry up on you compared to plastisols where you can go home on Friday and on Monday it is the same as you left it on Friday. They do make a soy based cleaner with the same characteristics as mineral spirits it cleans oil based inks but is more expensive. As far as Suppliers most inks suppliers have a water based series. If you find anything a far as soy that works let me know. Thanks Vincent
Plastisol Inks:
Plastisol inks are consider non organic substances, they are compounded with solid resins, plastisizers, fillers and pigments, the preparation are rather simple.
Water Based Inks: Water based inks are more complex, the so called emulsions are resins being copolymerise and pre-emulsify with stabilizers and water through reactors.
The emusions are then ready for the
preparation of required ink base and mixing with desire pigments. ( They are mostly water soluble accept pigment paste consider dipersible).
Organic Inks: <div align="left">Organic inks basically refer to water based inks. They are bio-degradable, functionally microbial metabolism, recycleble,
non toxic,( as described), ecological friendly. Water based inks do contain organic solvents.
If you are interested to know more about solvents, click on to this:
Indusrial Solvents Hanbook by Mel Weinzimer
Last edited by Solmu; February 28th, 2009 at 06:29 AM.
Reason: removed url
Hi, Plastisols are PVC based non evaporative ink and thermo plastic in nature and hence melts and can not be ironed. Traditional PVC based ink Contains some banned chemicals like Phthalates (Plastisizer), imparts flexibilty to your prints, Tin compounds (PVC stabilzers) etc. Need dangerous solvents for cleaning. PVC when incinerated, gives dangerous & Toxic fumes called DIOXINS & FURANS. Hence Developed nations like EU,US, canada, japan etc has banned usage of PVC based inks . Hence is the demand for water based inks. , which are relatively less toxic as the solvent used is, water and can clean with water. Based on Acrylic compounds. Prints are ironable. Since it is based on water needs higher energy and longer time to expel water (need 160 Deg Cel /3min), needs longer curing chambers. Clogging of screen are the main draw back, can be solved using Hygroscopic agents like glycols, glycerine, urea etc, which keep ink wet by holding water from the atmosphere, but prolongs the drying time can print wet on wet. Organic Ink: An ink certified as per GOTS (Global Organic Standards). If you are printing any Organic cotton T's, you need to be first obtain a certificate from third party like IMO & Control Union. Then u can print Organic cotton T's by using chemicals from a GOTS certified supplier.
ICC is having these inks.
VIJAY
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbresch
Hey I'm relatively new the the t-shirt printing world. Our company currently prints with Plastisol inks, but we're getting a lot of requests for organic inks and water-based inks.
What are the differences between plastisol, organic, and water-based inks? More specifically, what are the differences in their use during production? (equipment needed, ink treatment, drying, etc.)
If anyone would like to post links to suppliers, that would be most helpful [appreciated]
http://www.impressionmag.com
Log in 'screen printing'
There is an article written by Michael Beckman, a well experienced veteran in screen printing, worth to read, thanks for their contributions.
This time hope I do it rite, otherwise
mail me if you can't find them. I m glad to send the details to U since I have download
most of them.
my mail add:
There are both Eco-Friendly P/P free plastisol inks in the markets, not only PVC and Phthalates plastisol inks alone. We are comparing which ink is more friendly towards enviroment and more fundamental towards nature, more cost effective and so on.
We have to admit that a single type of ink can't do wonders in order to achieves the desire special effect print. They have their own uniqueness and special effect towards printing. The suggestion is, if possible, try less use oil based inks, unless certain effects like HD prints, Gel prints, or transfer prints, we can't avoid them. And I believed
it stil not the time yet.
But last not least, not to offence anybody, if we provide any info or write out is from a particular journalist or writer, please; be more courtesy to quote their name just to show the respects, or let our readers refer to thier articles, that will be more heplful and precise. Thanks
Yes sir, You are absolutely right. The limitations in water based inks as you said was specialties. HD,Puff, Foil,Flock, gels etc may not with stand 5 wash cycle,print durability standards of most retailers(Standards are diff for diff retailers).
Alternatively to print specialties, major retailerss still allowing oil/PVC based inks where ever alternatives are not available, but there is lot of R&D is still going on for special effect prints with water based inks.
In any ink, the colorant is the main pollutant whether water based / PVC /Non PVC/Organic. All inks irrespective of the type has to follow the local municipal regulations before draining. It implies Organic inks are not free from pollutants. As you rightly said Organic inks are more eco friendlier than Plastisol.
As far as biodegradability is concerned Organic inks readily degrades.
Regards
Vijay
Quote:
Originally Posted by dye hard
There are both Eco-Friendly P/P free plastisol inks in the markets, not only PVC and Phthalates plastisol inks alone. We are comparing which ink is more friendly towards enviroment and more fundamental towards nature, more cost effective and so on.
We have to admit that a single type of ink can't do wonders in order to achieves the desire special effect print. They have their own uniqueness and special effect towards printing. The suggestion is, if possible, try less use oil based inks, unless certain effects like HD prints, Gel prints, or transfer prints, we can't avoid them. And I believed
it stil not the time yet.
But last not least, not to offence anybody, if we provide any info or write out is from a particular journalist or writer, please; be more courtesy to quote their name just to show the respects, or let our readers refer to thier articles, that will be more heplful and precise. Thanks
I really don't like seeing so much deception with the eco and green disguise. Printing with water based inks requires use of stabilizers in order to produce permanent, quality printing. Those "additives" cause water based inks to carry a much higher VOC than plastisol (plastisol is a 1, waterbased ranges 3-7 VOCs). Waterbased inks are not drain safe even though watersoluble. In order to remove the presence of the stabilizers when you are reclaiming, you are forced to use harsher chemicals which are not the least bit eco friendly. Waterbased inks were not created to be eco friendly..they've been out there for years and came into existence because of their softer hand. To promote these inks as eco friendly or green is akin to the Walmart scam a few years back where they promoted the "made in america" song and dance. I love both water base and plastisol for what they are....not what they are not. If you're attempting to use waterbased inks without the necessary stabilizers, etc, you are not providing a lasting print. If you are using stabilizers, etc and think that they are eco friendly...you need to do more reading. WilFlex has great information on these 2 types of inks as well as others. They sell them all and have lots of info on the pros and cons of each. They do NOT promote them as more eco sensitive...they give you the real pros and cons of the product types.
I am not going to be extremely detailed, but I would like to reference a couple things.
"Hence Developed nations like EU,US, canada, japan etc has banned usage of PVC based inks"
US, Canada, Japan, etc. have not banned the use of PVC based inks nor have they banned inks that contain phthalates.
CPSIA 2008 has banned the use of 6 phthalates, temporarily for products that facilitate sleeping and feeding for children under the age of 3. There is no ban or mention of PVC. There is also at this time no pending legislation to ban the use of PVC in inks. In fact, your water runs through PVC pipes.
In regard to Organic inks. There are no textile inks that are certified organic. Waterbased or plastisol inks.
I would suggest going to CPSC.org and reviewing the legislation that is in place.
They have several answers in regard to what is banned and what isn't.
great reminder Erin....also note that there are phalate free plastisols out there if you are providing screen printed items for babies, toddlers, and youth that fall under the current age restriction. The concern in this area will be the burden to "test" the finished product on each order as the current legislation as written. It's expensive and they estimate it is a 30 day to 90 day turnaround on this type of testing. Can we say.....stab me now?
Its. very true, the adverse effects of water based inks are more than Pvc Based Plastisols. But there are Oil based PVC free plastisols now available. They do not cantain Banned Phthalates, Heavy metals, VOC's, AZO, Formadehyde, PCP-TCP etc. and ofcourse NO PVC. search on google - PVC FREE PLASTISOL, ALIBABA.COM HAS A BIG LIST. And, Water based inks are not suitable for Transfer.... But the Oil based PVC free Plastisols are very good with Transfer... to be specific search for PVC free Oil based Plastisol and add for Heat Transfers if you are looking out for PVC free Transfers.
Plastisol vs. Organic Inks 
Re: Plastisol vs. Organic Inks 
