Water-Based Screen Printing Inks For Textiles
Modern water-based inks have undergone significant improvements in formulation, offering the following advantages:
High color concentration: Fine pigment particles result in rich, vibrant colors; a small amount of ink is sufficient to achieve the desired color.
Excellent wash fastness: After curing and heat treatment, the print can withstand multiple household washes (typically achieving a color fastness rating of 4-5), without fading or peeling.
Good hiding power: Even when used with a base coat on dark fabrics, it still maintains vibrant colors.
- Fast Delievery
- Quality Assurance
- 24/7 Customer Service
Product Introduction
Water-based screen printing ink for textiles is an environmentally friendly ink that uses water as the primary diluent for screen printing on textiles.
Its biggest difference from traditional plastisol inks is that plastisol is a thermoplastic PVC system, solvent-free, and solidifies by heating; while water-based inks form a film through water evaporation and resin cross-linking. The ink penetrates into the fiber gaps, creating a breathable, soft printing effect that blends seamlessly with the fabric.
Environmental Features:
Extremely low VOC content (typically <3%)
PVC-free (polyvinyl chloride)
Phthol-free (plasticizer)
Free of formaldehyde, heavy metals, APEO (alkylphenol ethoxylate), and other restricted substances
Key Performance Indicators
1. Hand Feel: The core advantage of water-based inks. The printed area feels almost identical to the fabric itself, soft, breathable, and not stiff.
Comparison: Plastisol ink printing feels like a "plastic film" adhering to the fabric surface, with a noticeable adhesive feel.
2. Wash Fastness: After curing and heat treatment, the print can withstand multiple household washes (typically ≥50 washes).
Tested according to ISO 105-C06 or AATCC 61 standards, it reaches grade 4-5 (grade 5 is optimal).
3. Rubbing Fastness: Achieves grade 4 or higher in both dry and wet rubbing, with minimal color fading or staining.
4. Elasticity: For highly elastic fabrics containing spandex, Lycra, etc., the specialized elastic formula ensures that the print stretches with the fabric without cracking or peeling.
5. Opacity: A single print is sufficient to cover light-colored fabrics; on dark-colored fabrics, good opacity can be achieved with a base coat.
6. Printability: Adjustable viscosity, suitable for various printing equipment including manual printing tables, semi-automatic oval machines, and fully automatic printing machines.
Drying speed is controllable; a retarder can be used to adapt to high-temperature, low-humidity environments, preventing screen clogging.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ink Type | Water-Based |
| Heat Resistance | 150°C – 180°C (standard) |
| VOC Content | < 1% |
| pH Value | 7.5 – 9.0 |
| Solid Content | 30% – 40% |
| Drying Method | Hot air / IR drying |
| Adhesion | Excellent (paper, film, foil) |
Storage and Precautions
Storage Temperature: 5-35℃, avoid freezing and direct sunlight.
Shelf Life: Generally 12 months when stored in a sealed container.
Before Use: Stir thoroughly (pigment may settle).
Crosslinking Agent Addition: If additional strength enhancement is required, prepare fresh according to the manufacturer's recommended ratio (usually 1%-3%) and use immediately. Use within 4-8 hours after addition.
FAQ:
How well does your ink adhere to 100% polyester fabric? Will it fade or crack?
Adhesion of water-based inks to polyester fabrics (especially hydrophobic fibers) is a challenge in the industry. Our solution is as follows:
Special Polyester Formula: Utilizes a modified polyester resin system to enhance bonding with polyester fibers.
Process Coordination: We recommend a thorough curing process at 150-170℃ for 2-3 minutes after printing to ensure complete resin cross-linking.
Test Data: Third-party testing shows that on 100% polyester fabric (AATCC 61 2A washing standard), there was no peeling or cracking after 50 washes, and colorfastness was ≥4.
For bulk purchases, we can provide sample test kits for you to test and verify on actual fabrics.
Will the ink freeze or deteriorate during long-distance sea transport? What are the packaging and storage requirements?
Water-based inks may freeze or thicken at low temperatures. We have specifically designed our packaging for export transport:
Antifreeze Formula: Antifreeze agents are added to ensure no irreversible deterioration occurs during short-term storage or transport at -10℃.
Packaging Method: Reinforced antifreeze packaging with an outer layer of insulation material, or optional heated container shipping.
Storage Recommendations: After arrival, please store in an environment of 5-35℃, avoiding direct sunlight and freezing. Unopened shelf life is 12 months.
Quality Assurance: In case of quality problems due to improper transportation or storage (relevant evidence required), we provide technical guidance or after-sales solutions.
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