WATER BASED
Water based screen prints have a super soft handle. The ink is absorbed by the fabric, effectively re-dyeing it a new colour.
Best used on:
Light coloured t-shirts
Avoid using on:
Dark coloured t-shirts, sweatshirts
Colour on light:
Colour on dark:
Washability:
Hand-feel:
Finish:
Very Good
Poor
Good (will fade)
Superb (soft)
Matt
DISCHARGE
Discharge printing is similar to water based printing, however it is designed to work on dark garments by bleaching the fabric.
Best used on:
Dark colours (black, navy, grey)
Avoid using on:
Bold colours (red, royal, green, etc)
Colour on light:
Colour on dark:
Washability:
Hand-feel:
Finish:
Ineffective
Good
Ok (will fade)
Very good (soft)
Matt
PLASTISOL
Plastisol printing is bright and hard-wearing, however it has a harder handle to water based printing. It is also seen as less eco than w/b.
Best used on:
Bold, text-based images & logos
Avoid using on:
Distressed, fine graphics
Colour on light:
Colour on dark:
Washability:
Hand-feel:
Finish:
Excellent
Good (underbase)
Excellent
Very soft
Slightly shiny
3D PUFF (RAISED)
3D Puff printing is an effective method of adding relief to your graphic. It has a soft, pillow-like handle, and expands under heat.
Best used on:
Light-coloured text & line-work
Avoid using on:
Highly detailed images, bold colours
Colour on light:
Colour on dark:
Washability:
Hand-feel:
Finish:
Good
Good
Very Good
Good (raised)
Matt, textured
HIGH DENSITY (RAISED)
High Density printing is a premium technique, created by producing an extra-thick stencil, and printed with multiple layers. Requires underbase.
Best used on:
Chunky text and minimum 3mm lines
Avoid using on:
Fine detail/text & linework
Colour on light:
Colour on dark:
Washability:
Hand-feel:
Finish:
Excellent
Excellent
Very Good
Hard (raised)
Matt
GEL (TRANSLUCENT)
Gel prints offer a glossy, wet-look, translucent finish.
Best used on:
T-Shirts, as an accent colour or texture
Avoid using on:
Melange fabrics
Colour on light:
Colour on dark:
Washability:
Hand-feel:
Finish:
Bright (translucent)
Clear (translucent)
Very Good
Rubbery
Glossy