Green Galaxy Inks
We print with environmentally-friendly, water-based ink from Ryonet's high-quality Green Galaxy line, some of the latest in water-based ink technology. While water-based inks require different printing and curing processes than plastisol ink, they can come out just as vibrant and long-lasting, yet are softer and more breathable. And my favorite thing is that unlike plastisol, water-based inks contain no pthalates or PVC.
For health and safety, the environment, and a softer, more breathable coverage, the screen printing industry is moving toward water-based inks.
For health and safety, the environment, and a softer, more breathable coverage, the screen printing industry is moving toward water-based inks.
Printing Color (not black/white) Inks on Darker Fabrics
Since these water-based inks are actually semi-transparent, printing most colors other than white or black onto a dark fabric such as black or dark gray/green/blue/red will result in a less vibrant, more subdued or muted look for the ink. This may be the style you are looking for, but if not, your second option is to print with a either a discharge or white ink underbase.
An underbase is the exact same shape as your image; in fact, it is created using the same stencil, so it will not affect the shape of your design. Underbases provide lightness on a dark fabric so that the printer can then print the ink on top, and the ink will not be muted by the dark fabric.
If you decide to do an underbase, you have two options: discharge and white ink. Here are the main differences between the two:
An underbase is the exact same shape as your image; in fact, it is created using the same stencil, so it will not affect the shape of your design. Underbases provide lightness on a dark fabric so that the printer can then print the ink on top, and the ink will not be muted by the dark fabric.
If you decide to do an underbase, you have two options: discharge and white ink. Here are the main differences between the two:
- Discharge underbase: will result in a much softer hand than a white ink underbase. This is because discharge is a chemical that pulls color out of the fabric, almost like bleaching it. It is a slightly more expensive option of the two underbases. Discharge underbase requires about as much labor as printing another color and is charged as such, plus $.20 per shirt (since discharge costs slightly more than ink). Example: if printing one color on a dark shirt with a discharge underbase, the price per shirt would be that of a 2-color print +$.20. If printing a 2-color shirt with a discharge underbase, the price per shirt will be that of a 3-color print +$.20.
- White Ink underbase: will result in a similarly brilliant color but a slightly rougher hand than discharge underbase. A good screen printer will keep the ink deposit minimal to keep it as soft as possible, but the reality is: the more layers of ink, the rougher the hand. It is the less expensive option of the two underbases. White ink underbase is considered another printed color and is charged as such (e.g. if printing one color on a dark shirt with a white underbase, the price per shirt would be that of a 2-color print. For a 2-color design, the charge per shirt with underbase will be that of a 3-color design).
Colors Available
If you have a different specific color, send me a photo or description of it, and I'll do my best to match it.