If you’re looking to get creative with your designs, then one of the first decisions you need to make when it comes to printing is selecting which type of ink and screen-printing process will work best for your project. Two popular options are plastisol and water-based inks. But how do you know which one is better? We’ll be exploring their differences today so that you can get a better handle on how these two types of inks compare before making a decision about what’s right for your next printing project!

Overview of Plastisol vs Water Based INK

Plastisol and water based inks are two of the more common choices for screen printing. Plastisol ink is made of PVC resin, making it very thick and opaque. It is also a durable choice and provides an even layer over the material that it is printed on. Water based ink is composed of polyurethane, acrylic, or vinyl materials which are finely ground. 

This makes it thinner than plastisol but with a softer feel when printed onto a material. The colors created by water-based inks come out brighter and more vibrant due to their translucency. Both plastisol and water based inks have unique features, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their needs.

Pros and Cons of Each Type of Ink

When selecting promotional materials, have you ever had to choose between plastisol and water based ink? Both have their pros and cons and it’s important to evaluate both before making a decision. Generally plastisol offers higher opacity with bright colors, but many consumers are turned off as they tend to have a thicker, rubber texture. Water based ink is thinner and perceived as softer on the fabric due to its gentle hand feel. 

However it has less opacity than plastisol so it’s often not the best choice for bold images or dark fabrics. So if style and comfort matters more than plastisol won’t be your best choice but bright plastisol is great when printing on mugs and glasses. Ultimately, depending on the project, choices need to be made between plastisol vs water based ink for the desired look and feel.

Differences between them, including drying time and cost

When it comes to screen printing ink, plastisol and water-based inks are two of the top options. Plastisol has a longer drying time and is typically more expensive than water-based inks. Plastisol is oil-based and cures after being heated at a high temperature. Heat causes plastisol to react with air molecules, which hardens it into its famous platen. Water-based inks, on the other hand, dry much faster as they evaporate from the fabric being printed upon without needing any assistance from a heat press. This makes water-based inks generally faster and cheaper for large batches of prints due to their convenience and speediness during production. Ultimately, plastisol and water based inks differ significantly in terms of drying time and cost – both have advantages depending on the desired end product.

How to choose the right one for your project

Choosing the right ink for your printing project can be difficult when it comes to plastisol and water based inks. Plastisol’s main advantages are its opacity, vibrancy, washability, and durability; however, plastisol inks have a longer curing process than water-based inks. On the other hand, water-based inks require less skill to mix colors correctly and they easily blend well with other colors – plus they provide a more natural feel. 

In general, plastisol is normally the better choice for most projects because of its opacity and high performance on most fabrics. However, if sustainability is an overriding factor in your decision making process or you need a high level of vibrancy achieved without harsh chemicals – then water-based inks could be the perfect choice for your project.

Tips for creating a great design with either type of ink

With plastisol ink and water based ink both being readily available, it may be difficult to know which ink is best when looking to create a great design. Plastisol ink provides durable, opaque coverage but lacks the vibrancy of water based inks and can make designs feel heavy. On the other hand, water based inks provide vibrant colors but require greater care and attention on fabric substrates as they are vulnerable to fading or discoloration if not washed according to a specific pattern. 

To get the most out of your design, it’s important to consider plastisol vs water based qualities; take into account the desired color range and shadings that you have chosen for your design along with any other special effects like glitter or metallic inks. With the right information, you can easily create an amazing look with plastisol or water based ink that fits your project’s needs.

Common mistakes to avoid when using plastisol or water based inks

When it comes to plastisol or water based inks, it’s important to understand the key differences between the two. With plastisol, you can debug any imperfections using heat – this is not true for water based. Plastisol will ensure your artwork stands out as it’s known for its bright colors and opaque colors that last on thick fabrics. 

Water based inks, on the other hand, best suit designs on thinner fabrics since they do not permanently adhere to thicker fabric types and often appear faded or weakened shortly after being printed onto thicker textiles. To ensure you’re achieving your desired results with plastisol and water based inks, avoid common mistakes like failing to use the right ink for the fabric type at hand or changing curing temperature from design to design.