Screen Printing Ink | Types of Ink, Who Makes Ink, and Where to Buy Ink

“What is the best screen printing ink?”

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This is one of the most common questions I get when I’m talking to screen printers.

It’s also one of the most loaded questions I get!

The truth about screen printing ink is this: most inks that you can buy from a major supplier are good screen printing inks. A clever salesman can make any ink work during a demo – or make it fail. So trust your ink salespeople…but verify that they’re being truthful.

So here’s what it comes down to. Don’t ask “what’s the best ink for screen printing?” Instead, ask these questions:

• What do I actually need from my screen printing inks?
  • Which garments do you print on?
  • What special effects do your customers want?
  • Do you need dozens of custom colors or a handful of stock shop colors?
• What inks are available locally?
  • How often do you need to rush order ink?
  • How long will it take to get a small (or large) amount of ink to your shop when you really need it?
• Which ink distributor is going to help me the most when I need it?
  • Are they local, or across the country?
  • Do you have a long-term relationship with them?
  • Are they respected in the industry?

So let’s get into the weeds and remember: caveat emptor (buyer beware). Never blindly trust any salesman!

What type of screen printing inks are there?

I’m a former screen printing supplies salesman. I’ve had skin in the game. But I’m always honest with shops about the inks that are out there. Some are better for certain applications, and not so great for others. 

You should know about the major types of screen printing inks, understand their applications, and know whether they’re something you could work with in your shop. There’s not a single brand or type of ink that will work perfectly every time – you’ve got to know your stuff!

Not every print shop needs to be like Denver Print House, churning out complex art printed with scientific precision in a tightly controlled environment. Plenty of businesses crank out one and two-color prints all day and absolutely make a killing.

But if you want to know what’s possible, you need to understand the tools of the trade.

Plastisol ink

This is the most widely used ink in the industry. Durable, versatile, opaque, and able to lay down a crisp and detailed print, plastisol is still the go-to ink for screen printers. It’s made out of unpolymerized (read: viscous) PVC (polyvinyl chloride) via chemical process through a combination of ethylene (an oil-based product) and chlorine suspended in a liquid plastic. Plastisol is essentially a liquid plastic combined with unpolymerized PVC.

Plastisol has an almost indefinite shelf life, can be left on screens without damaging them, and is extremely long-lasting on garments when cured correctly. When plastisol is “cured,” it is exposed to high heat (290 to 320 degress Fahrenheit). The plastic mixture hardens as the liquid suspension is dissolved by the heat, creating a durable and flexible finish.

Water based inks

Printing on cotton and blends? Looking for a super soft print?

Water based ink is the way to go.

Water based inks are something I’ve pushed every print shop to invest in. You can really accomplish something interesting things with water based inks – and they’re going to be the future of the industry one way or another.

There are some pros and cons to water based inks – which you should explore further in our article about water based inks – but there are two primary things to know:

• Water based inks are less opaque (read: more transparent) than plastisol inks
• Water based ink is a very broad umbrella with many different inks

Discharge ink

Discharge inks are a subcategory of water based inks. Discharge inks work via chemical reaction. They actually “bleach off” the dye on the cotton t-shirt, leaving behind the natural color of the fibers (or the color you choose to leave behind). This chemical reaction is due to the active ingredient ZFS (zinc formaldehyde sulfate).

Discharge inks are remarkably versatile. The most impressive discharge prints have zero hand feel – a magical thing for customers. It’s like discharge prints are just part of the shirt.

You can also use discharge inks as an underbase. This is a super effective technique that leverages discharge ink’s unique chemistry. Since discharge removes the dye in the garment, you can print super vivid prints on dark shirts – even though water based inks are less opaque than plastisol inks.

Discharge inks emit formaldehyde gas during curing. It’s important that you adequately ventilate your workspace if you’re planning to work with discharge inks. Another reason to make fast friends with your local sales rep: if you’re unsure whether your airflow is adequate, they can advise you.

Question: do I need a gas dryer to print discharge inks? 

Answer: While it’s definitely preferable to have a properly ventilated gas dryer for curing discharge inks, you don’t actually need a gas dryer to print discharge. There are low-formaldehyde discharge inks available – or you can simply utilize large fans and an effective cross-breeze.

Acrylic inks

Acrylic inks are a new and emerging variety of screen printing ink. They’re becoming more prevalent alongside their water based counterparts.

What sets acrylic screen printing inks apart is their ability to air dry. This can help when printing on polyester fabric, which is famous for having issues (dye migration, discoloration and more) during the curing process. High-quality air-drying inks have long been desired by screen printers.

Acrylic inks are typically water based. Others may be based on oil or plastic. There’s a huge variety of printing methods and special effects possible with acrylic inks. However, the learning curve is steep and acrylic inks are notorious for drying in the screen.

Silicone inks

Utilized for high-end retail applications, silicone screen printing inks are the most expensive on the market.

High-performanice wear on nylon and poly-blend fabrics come with a high price point. Brands like Nike will print sily-smooth silicone designs with reflective inks and other special effects. They’ll also use silicone to print on their newest and strangest blends of multiple synthetic fabrics.

Not only are silicone screen printing inks expensive, the ink mixing systems typically aren’t as robust. Silicone inks are largely novel applications done in large shops with nearly scientific printing capabilities. The catalysts needed to actually print silicone inks only work during a brief duration, so your production time and ink supply is limited by what you can mix. Silicone inks are challenging, but there’s a potential reward for shops that have meticulous ink management skills.

How much does screen printing ink cost?

Ink prices vary from state to state and supplier to supplier – and, of course, different types of ink cost different amounts.

But here’s a good estimate for the range of prices you’ll encounter when you buy screen printing ink:

• 1 gallon of screen printing ink costs $45 to $90
• 5 gallons of screen printing ink costs $250 to $400

Types of white ink

You can’t just one type of white ink for every type of t-shirt.

In this video, I break down the different types of garments you can print on – and what type of white ink you’ll need to use.

The best white ink for different fabrics

For cotton, you can use a standard cotton white ink. It will adhere nicely to the fibrous cotton and leave a great white print.

For poly blends (any shirt or fabric that has a “heather” color), you’ll want a poly white ink. This leaves the best print on blended garments.

For full polyester garments, you’ll want a low-bleed ink. Otherwise, you run the risk of having the dye in the garment “bleed” into the ink, turning it pink. Don’t risk it!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Pigment Screen Printing Ink.

For nylon, like jackets and other materials, you’ll want a nylon white ink. It usually has a special adhesive so it can stay on the nylon without coming off. Be sure to follow the curing directions for your nylon white ink to the letter.

Who makes screen printing ink?

There are dozens of ink manufacturers, but these brands pop up again and again throughout the United States.

Rutland

Owned by PolyOne, Rutland is headquartered in North Carolina. They developed one of the earliest color matching software systems, which let them conquer a huge swath of the custom apparel industry’s largest providers. Rutland’s expertise in software has let them develop a leading mixing calculator. Because of their prowess with screen printing inks, Rutland remains a globally leading ink distributor.

Where should you buy screen printing ink?

Picking where to buy screen printing supplies is a more important choice than you might think. You can’t just pick the cheapest distributor and get on with it. There’s more to it than that.

First, a dose of reality.

Reality #1: Screen printing shops don’t take daily inventories of their ink supplies.
Reality #2: Because of #1, shops run out of ink when they need it badly.
Reality #3: That means the best distributor is often the closest distributor.

When I’m ordering a new ink for my shop Sound and Fury, the number one thing I consider is whether I can get the ink tomorrow if I order it today.

There are very, very, very few shops that take a daily inventory of their ink. That level of detail (and staffing) is typically out of reach for the tight ship that most print shops keep.

This means that when you run out of ink, you run out while you’re printing a job or mixing colors. You run out of ink with the job on press. You run out of ink when there’s a rush order due. This happens again and again – shops call each other and need to “borrow” a quart of ink.

I’ve seen really amazing salesmen work their butts off to get a shop to take on a new ink system…only to find out that they can’t ship that ink to their shop without a rush charge. That won’t work in an understaffed, overworked, razor-thin-margin business.

However, a huge number of distributors and print supply companies across the US carry most or all of these brands. If someone from Florida asks where to buy ink, I’m probably going to steer them toward a local company like Roeder Industries. 1-day shipping is that important for screen printers.

There’s another benefit to a closer distributor. They can easily come by your shop and offer feedback, advice, or guidance. They can get a hands-on experience with your technique and process – and typically, they can help you print better.

So, to recap choosing where you buy ink:

The screen printing ink you use should be designed for the fabric material you're printing on. From cotton to polyester, tri-blends to totes, each material calls for the right formulation to ensure bright color, smooth feel, and long-lasting wear. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly which screen printing inks for fabric to use, with trusted brand options like FN-INK, Green Galaxy, Avient, and Wilflex™ that are among the top screen printing inks in the industry.

Understanding Ink Types and Fabric Types

Understanding the types of ink available and how they interact with different materials:

• Plastisol Ink: Sits on top of the fabric, offering excellent opacity and durability. Great for cotton, blends, and synthetics.
• Water-Based Ink: Soaks into the fibers, creating a soft-hand print. Ideal for cotton, but with the right additives or blockers, can work on blends and polyester too.
• Discharge Ink: A form of water-based ink that removes the dye from fabric and replaces it with pigment. Great for ultra-soft prints on 100% cotton.
• Dye-Blocking / Low Bleed Inks: Designed specifically to prevent dye migration on polyester and sublimated garments.

Common Fabric Types: Cotton, poly-cotton blends, 100% polyester, tri-blends, dye-sublimated poly, and canvas. Each fabric behaves differently under heat and pressure, which makes ink compatibility critical.

Cotton: Use Plastisol or Water-Based Ink

100% cotton is the most common fabric in screen printing. It holds both plastisol and water-based ink well, offering versatility for all types of designs.

• FN-INK or Wilflex™ Plastisol Inks: Ideal for bold, opaque prints with minimal setup. Great for beginners and pros alike. Browse all plastisol ink options.
• Water-Based Ink: Perfect for soft-hand fashion prints and breathable garments. Excellent for vintage printing, youth apparel, or eco-forward brands. Explore Green Galaxy water-based inks or Screen ALGAE INK™ by Living Ink, a carbon-negative water-based black ink made with renewable algae.

Tip: Use 110–156 mesh for thicker inks like white plastisol, and 230+ mesh for detailed water-based prints.

RELATED: A Guide to Printing on Youth Apparel

Poly-Cotton Blends: Use Low-Cure, Low-Bleed Inks

Blended fabrics can bleed dye or stretch under pressure. They’re also more heat sensitive, so curing the ink at a lower temperature is key. You’ll need an ink that adapts without cracking or discoloring.

• Wilflex™ Epic Quick White Plastisol Ink: A go-to white for poly-cotton blends and tri-blends. Low-cure and creamy for smooth application.
• Wilflex™ Epic Rio Plastisol Inks: Rio Colors are low-cure and designed for wet-on-wet printing. Suitable for both manual and automatic presses.
• FN-INK Plastisol Inks: Cures as low as 260°F to reduce dye migration and save energy. Ideal for both light and dark blends.

Tip: Flash your base quickly and cure at low temperatures. A conveyor dryer makes this process fast, consistent, and repeatable.

100% Polyester: Use Dye-Blocking or Low-Bleed Inks

Polyester is notorious for dye migration—a process where the dye in the fabric moves into the ink, altering its color. That’s why you need an ink that blocks bleed before it happens. Blockers and poly-specific underbases are designed to stop dye migration by creating a strong foundation.

• FN-INK Barrier Black Ink: A reliable underbase blocker that prevents dye bleed under white and bright top layers.
• Wilflex™ Epic Rival Sport LC Defender: A low-cure, high-opacity dye blocker built specifically for 100% polyester, polyester blends, triblends, and dye-sublimated garments.
• Wilflex™ Epic Polywhite LC: A low-bleed white plastisol ink formulated for poly-rich garments. Soft feel with dependable dye resistance.

Tip: Always test your fabric for dye migration before running a full job. A simple heat test can reveal whether the dye will rise into your ink.

RELATED: How to Test for Dye Migration Before You Print

Tri-Blends: Use Stretch-Friendly, Low-Cure Ink

Tri-blends (cotton, polyester, rayon) are ultra-soft. Their stretch and varied dye content mean you’ll want a flexible ink that cures low and prints clean.

• FN-INK: Handles tri-blends with ease. Stays flexible, resists cracking, and cures low to prevent dye bleed.
• Wilflex™ Epic Rival Sport LC Defender: Ideal for printing light colors on dark, dye-heavy tri-blends.

Tip: Be extra mindful of your flash temperature. Tri-blends are heat sensitive, so less heat is often more effective.

Sublimated Garments: Use Barrier Inks

Dye-sublimated fabrics are pre-dyed with heat-reactive ink. That ink can rise through your print and discolor it. Barrier inks are your best friend—they block dye migration before it starts.

• Wilflex™ Epic Rival Sport LC Defender: Designed specifically for dye-sublimated polyester. Use it under whites, neons, or light inks.
• FN-INK Barrier Black: Reliable and economical for shops that want a strong defense under top colors.

Tip: Test the garment first. Apply heat with a swatch of white cotton to check for bleed.

Canvas & Tote Bags: Use High-Opacity Inks

Heavier fabrics like canvas and totes need bold, thick ink that won’t soak into the weave. Avoid water-based ink unless you’re using discharge, printing on pre-treated materials, or intentionally going for a vintage look.

• FN-INK or Wilflex™ Plastisol Inks: Ideal for bold, opaque coverage on canvas. Browse all plastisol ink options.

Tip: Try a lower mesh screen like 110 or 156 to lay down a heavier ink deposit.

RELATED: Texture, Shine & Dimension: Meet the Latest Avient Specialty Inks

Specialty Inks: Add Texture, Shine, and Dimension

Specialty inks open the door to creative effects that set your prints apart. These inks go beyond flat color to deliver texture, shimmer, puff, and more. Perfect for fashion, merch, or standout branding pieces.

• High Density: Adds raised, 3D-like texture to prints for bold graphic elements or logos.
• Glow-in-the-Dark: Charges under light and glows in the dark
• Metallic: Offers shimmer and shine with gold, silver, or pearl-like finishes.
• Puff Additives: Expands when cured to create soft, raised prints.
• Fashion Soft: Softens the hand feel of a plastisol print.

Explore the full collection of Special Effects Inks to discover what's possible when you push beyond the standard print.

RELATED: 4 Killer Print Effects to Bring Your Halloween Designs to Life

Quick Reference: What Ink to Use When

Fabric Type Best Ink Options Why It Works General Cure Temp Recommended Mesh 100% Cotton Plastisol, Water-Based, Discharge Easy ink adhesion and color payoff 320°F (Plastisol), 270–320°F (Water-Based) 110–230+ Poly-Cotton Blend Wilflex™ Epic Quick White, FN-INK™, Wilflex™ Rio Low-cure inks reduce bleed risk and keep soft hand feel, use a blocker to ensure no color bleed 260–290°F 110–158 100% Polyester Wilflex™ LC Defender (underbase), FN-INK Barrier Black (underbase), Wilflex™ Polywhite LC, Plastisol Use dye-blocker underbase to stop bleed, then print with standard plastisol or low-temp inks 260–290°F 110–158 Tri-Blend Wilflex™ LC Defender (underbase), FN-INK, Wilflex™ Rio Stretchy fabric needs flexible, low-cure ink; blockers help prevent bleed on darks 260–290°F 110–158 Sublimated Polyester Wilflex™ LC Defender (underbase), FN-INK Barrier Black (underbase), Plastisol Use blocker underbase to prevent dye bleed; print top colors with low-cure inks 260–290°F 110–158 Canvas / Tote Bags FN-INK™ White, Wilflex™ Quick White, Plastisol Thick fabric requires high-opacity plastisol; lower mesh helps ink sit on top 320°F 110–156

Can Water-Based Ink Be Used on Any Fabric?

Yes, with the right strategy. While water-based ink works beautifully on cotton, it can also be used on poly-blends, tri-blends, and even polyester. Since water-based inks are absorbed into the fabric, the fiber types and weave can show through the print (see example above).

You’ll often need additives like Warp Drive to speed up curing, or a water-based blocker like Gamma Blocker to prevent dye migration.

High cure temperatures and dye migration are common challenges when printing beyond cotton, so always test your process and adjust accordingly.

Final Thoughts

The key to successful apparel printing is matching artwork with the right inks and fabric. Whether you’re printing high-volume teamwear or boutique blanks, brands like Wilflex™ and FN-INK offer pro-level performance for every print challenge. Keep this guide handy and let your ink do the work.

Ryonet is here to help you #PowerThePrint with the right ink, on the right fabric, every time.

Want more information on Imitation Printing Ink? Feel free to contact us.

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