Ink is half the design
The screen sets the shape. The ink sets the feel. Pick the wrong one and a great graphic looks flat. Pick the right one and the same art feels like retail. This page covers the inks we run on press. For the basics of the method itself, start at screen printing.
Our ink: plastisol
Plastisol is the industry standard and what our standard pricing includes. It sits on top of the fabric, covers dark garments with confidence and holds color matches tightly. Durable, bright, works on almost anything.
Soft-hand plastisol is plastisol with a softening base, so the print feels light and smooth on the shirt. It is our answer when you want a softer, more retail feel.
We do not print with water-based or discharge inks. When you want a print you can barely feel on cotton, DTG soaks into the fabric instead of sitting on top.
Effects
- Puff. An additive makes plastisol rise as it cures, for a soft, raised print people want to touch. Best on bold shapes and thick letters.
- Foil. A printed adhesive plus heat-pressed foil for a mirror finish. One foil color per print location, bold shapes only. Wash inside out in cold water and hang dry.
- Metallic. A subtle sheen in gold, silver and more, printed like any other color.
- Glitter. Metallic flakes in a clear base, on the whole design or one area. Our go-to when someone asks for a rhinestone sparkle.
We don’t do high density, gel or glow-in-the-dark ink. Puff is the closest thing for a raised look.
How do you choose?
Start with the art. Bold shapes and type look great in any of these inks. Fine lines and small text read best in standard plastisol, so save puff and foil for logos and headlines. Want soft? Soft-hand plastisol, or DTG on cotton. Want it to catch light on stage? Foil, metallic or glitter. Want texture? Puff.
Every order gets a free art check, so we will flag anything that will not hold up on your design.
Keep exploring
See how ordering a custom screen print works, compare silk screen print styles, or print on your own shirts.
Price your print
Tell us the design, garment, quantity and the ink you want. Get a quick quote and we will answer within one business day.