4 Ways to Screen Print White Plastisol Ink on a White T-Shirt
You’ve come to the right place if you want to screen print on a white t-shirt but don’t know how to get the ink to stick. There are many ways to screenprint on white t-shirts, but this article will focus on four of the best ones. Ink with reduced opacity, puff ink, and stacking multiple layers of white ink are all great options for white t-shirts.
Create a Subtle Effect
Using a thin layer of ink can create a soft effect. White plastisol ink has a transparent base and adds a slight puff. White plastisol ink printed on a white t-shirt will make the print appear darker and wetter than if the printing was done on a black shirt. You can easily achieve this effect by mixing white ink with a mixed system.
The simulated process is the best option if you’re looking for an effect without overpowering the white t-shirt. The process uses four different shades of transparent ink that interact with the white t-shirt background. Although some shades aren’t possible, the process can produce a broad spectrum of colors. Using the simulated process, you can create an effect as subtle as a single dot or as strong as a solid color.
Choose the proper ink for your project. You can use two types of Plastisol Ink:
- Opaque
- Transparent
In the former case, thicker is best for printing darker shades of colors on a dark shirt, while thin is best for white t-shirts. Using thinner paints makes the process easier, but you must keep in mind that the thinner ink will smear easily and expose the shirt underneath.
Regular White Plastisol
If you’re looking for a way to screen print regular white plastisol ink on a white t-shirt, you have a few different options. First, there are the standard methods. The most common ways to screen print regular white plastisol ink on a white t-shirt are explained below. However, if you want to try something different, you can also use an opacity ink.
To avoid bleeding, you can try using low-bleed white ink. These inks adhere only to the outside of the garment, so they don’t bleed through. They also have a heavier body than the cotton inks you typically use. You can also use a high-mesh screen with these white inks.
When printing over dark colors, a white under base helps the single color stand out, while printing over black cotton requires a lower-mesh screen. Remember that the ink must be allowed to dry before exposure to high heat. You should also use an eco-friendly ink, such as Ecotex White Plastisol Ink. This type of ink dries fast, is odorless, and does not fade.
Reduced Opacity White
FN-INK(TM) Puff in white ink gives your designs loft and makes them stand out from the rest of the prints. Clear ink on a white t-shirt draws out the design by using the color of the t-shirt as a base. It is a simple way to add color to your design without dying the shirt.
The 595PF High Opacity White ink is a low-cost, high-opacity white for direct and heat transfer printing on 100% cotton fabrics. The ink is lead-free and easy to print. It produces good coverage on white or light-colored garments and flash cures quickly. This ink is phthalate, lead-free, and fully heat-cured at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds.
Union Maxopake ink is the creamiest, most opaque plastisol ink on a white or light t-shirt. This type of ink is great for direct printing on dark garments and whites. Union Mixopake inks are excellent for standard colors and work well on a wide range of substrates. Unlike the Union Maxopake, these are not concentrated pigments.
Stacking-White Ink Layers
If you’ve ever wondered if you can stack white plastisol ink layers on a white t-shirt, there are several tips you can follow to get the best results. First, always make sure that the white shirt is white, and avoid using any dark color ink. If your shirt has been washed more than three times, your print will begin to fade and crack.
Next, you can experiment with the thickness of the ink deposit. A thinner ink layer will be less noticeable. The thickness of your ink deposit will determine the texture of the print and how dimensional it is. For the best result, always use the highest quality ink, free of fillers and phthalates. The higher the mesh count, the thinner your ink deposit will be.
Lastly, you should choose the type of ink that is most appropriate for the surface you are printing on. If you want a dark-colored shirt, choose thick opaque plastisol ink. A thinner ink is used to print lighter colors on dark shirts, and this is because it can help you achieve a smooth blended effect when mixing paint. If you don’t choose an opaque paint, the print will be too transparent and show through the shirt beneath. To avoid this, make sure you know your desired opacity level before purchasing any ink. Remember that the thinner the ink, the slower it will dry, so be patient.
White Puff
Choosing a good plastisol ink for screen printing involves three considerations:
- Adhesion
- Opacity
- Color
To make a white t-shirt print look good, you need a quality white ink. White ink with a high opacity is not recommended for a white shirt. If you have a white shirt, try using cotton-white ink.
After printing your design, wash your shirt. Screen-printed clothes can easily get a stain. If the stain is too dark, you can use rubbing alcohol to remove the paint. However, it may be too harsh for the fabric. Screen-printing white t-shirts with white plastisol ink can cause a rash. To prevent it, try using a blockout eraser. You can buy this special pen online. Most artists suggest buying one in the same size as the screen. Just keep in mind that a blockout eraser gets dirty easily when used repeatedly.
Printing Clear
If you’re looking to make a screenprint, you might be wondering how to print clear plastisol ink on a white t-shirt. Plastisol inks are very durable and are used in textile screen printing. They are best for printing opaque graphics on dark fabrics, and they will keep their vivid colors for years. Most plastisols require curing at 180 degrees Celsius to become fully cured. In addition, they tend to sit on the fabric fibers, which gives the print a raised plasticized appearance.
The most important thing to remember when using plastisol inks is that they don’t cause any dye to be transferred to the fabric. As a result, the color of the print won’t be affected by the ingredients of the shirt. Plastisol inks are preferred over water-based inks because they are standardized, meaning they can work on a wide variety of garment substrates. Another benefit of plastisol inks is their affordability, and you can get high-quality prints without using a heavy hand.
Tonal Whites
When you’re screen-printing white t-shirts, choosing a viscosity that will produce the desired level of opacity is essential. The thickness of your ink deposit determines the texture and depth of your design. Thinner ink will create a more opaque print, while a thicker deposit will give you a more defined look.
If you’re using plastisol ink, check the package carefully to ensure it’s completely cured before printing. The ink can smear if colors touch before setting, so it’s essential to wash the shirt several times before determining the full cure time. To test if the ink is fully cured, stretch the shirt and rewash it. A shirt that feels tight after one wash should feel firm and not scaly.