If you are looking to produce or reproduce any kind of design, artwork or print on a variety of T-shirts, paper, any kind of fabric or cardboard – the best option is to use the screen printing method.
Without using a complicated printer or printing machine, screen printing is one of the most durable and easiest ways to add design or colors to your products.
Among other things, screen based printing is the most popular for creating your preferred designs on T-shirts, clothes, bags, flags, banners, caps and hats, as well as anything made from
fabric. Almost anything can be printed effectively on a number of materials, not just fabric, using screen printing methods.
However, the secret behind the success lies in choosing the right kind of ink and materials for the process, especially the perfect ink from the right kind of brand.
Top 8 Water Based Screen Printing Inks
There are different kinds of ink that can be used in screen printing, but the most common and the best option is a water-based ink.
Water-based screen printing ink is easy to use even as a beginner, as well as high-quality ink that will give your finished product a professional and classy look.
There are a lot of water-based screen printing ink in the market, but the best from them are listed and described below.
1.Speedball Acrylic Screen Printing Ink, White
Black and white are the two most important colors when it comes to the screen printing process, especially when working on white and black-colored materials, respectively.
When you want to produce any kind of design or artwork on black paper, cardboard or wood, the most important ink you’ll be using is white ink.
This is a great white screen printing ink that is recommended to be used on a variety of materials including wood, paper and cardboard, but not recommended to be used on fabric or clothes.
This is a 8-ounce bottle of white acrylic screen printing ink, but the same brand also makes different colors in the same measurement.
The colors are vibrant and bright, even the white is vivid and glamorous instead of being dull and plain.
The ink gives a great coverage for any kind of material, spreading easily and giving a consistent finish on all materials.
This ink can be used without any kind of worry or stress. The ink comes with an unrivalled working time so that you can use it for a long time before it starts to dry.
It is safe to use in a classroom or workshop with people around – a non-toxic ink that’s safe to use. It can also be easily cleaned with water and a little soap.
Features:
- 8-ounce bottle of water-based screen printing ink
- White colored ink
- Recommended use on cardboard, paper or wood
- Not to be used on fabric or clothes
- Gives a good coverage and working consistency
- Vibrant and bright color
- Comes with unrivalled working time
- Non-toxic and easy to use
- Comes with a AP seal
- Easy to clean with water and soap
2. Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink, Set of 6
This is a set of 6 water-based screen printing ink that comes in all the primary colors you’re going to need.
Not just the basic black and white, this set also includes colors like Tiki Brown, Fiesta Orangem Marigold, Blue Lagoon, Flower Power Pink and Parakeet Green.
From these primary colors, you can mix and match to create dozens of other colors to suit your design.
Unlike the brand above, the Ecotex Primary Plastisol Ink can be used on fabric, mostly cotton and polyester blends.
The inks come in small 8-ounce bottles that are easy to use and store, and come with a tight-seal cover.
The ink is best used in a low temperature so that they don’t dry up too quickly and instead gives you enough time to work with them at leisure.
The ink from this brand prevents scorching or shrinking in any kind of fabric, but also has a high opacity that gradually develops in color as it dries up.
The Ecotex Plastisol ink doesn’t dry out quickly on the screen but develops gradually and with enough time on your hands.
These inks are easy to work with, and come with a good bleed resistance. No matter which fabric you are using, the ink will not bleed or spread, even when a lavish amount is used.
After the ink dries, the fabric still stays soft to the skin and not irritable.
Features:
- 8-ounce bottle of water-based screen printing ink
- 6 colors including white, black, pink, brown, orange, green and blue,
- Recommended use on cotton and polyester blend
- Easy to use and store,
- Best used in a low temperature
- Prevents scorching or shrinking in fabric
- Has a high opacity that gradually develops
- Doesn’t dry out quickly on the screen
- Vibrant and bright color
- Comes with a good bleed resistance
- Fabric stays soft and comfortable to the skin after ink is use
3. Rapid Cure Red Plastisol Ink, 16-Ounce
A rather large, 16-ounce can of water-based screen printing ink, this is a red ink from Rapid Cure that works the best in a low temperature.
This ink works best in temperatures as low as 270-degrees and gives you a good energy-saving environment. This ink can be used on a variety of fabrics but is recommended to use on cotton and polyester blends.
It doesn’t spread or clot, but comes with a good dye blocking and scorch prevention feature. The ink doesn’t dry out quickly on the screen when working on the fabric, but gives enough time to do a thorough and complete job.
This red ink from Rapid Cure comes with a good bleeding resistance so that you can actually make it thorough and detailed on your fabric.
The ink also has a high opacity that gradually deepens as the ink dries, which takes a long time, giving you enough opportunity to edit or modify your work.
Besides, the color is also quite bright and vivid, suitable for different types of projects.
It is easy to clean this ink with water and soap. Made from an eco-friendly non-phthalate formula, this ink is suitable in classrooms and workshops, safe for inhalation and against the skin.
Features:
- 16-ounce bottle of ink
- Vivid red in color
- Recommended use on cotton and polyester blend
- Easy to use and store; comes with an airtight cover
- Best used in temperature as low as 270-degrees
- Prevents scorching or shrinking in fabric
- Has a high opacity that gradually develops
- Fabric stays soft and comfortable to the skin after ink is used
- Doesn’t dry out quickly on the screen
- Comes with a good bleed resistance
- Can be cleaned with water and soap
- Made from an eco-friendly non-phthalate formula
- Safe for inhalation and against the skin
4. Jacquard Professional Screen Print Ink
This is a 16-ounce bottle of water-soluble ink for screen printing that comes with an archival quality with superior detail. This ink has great coverage on most recommended materials, but doesn’t bleed or spread unwantedly.
The ink will also not buckle or curl when working with it; it is a durable and scuff-proof ink that will keep on working great every single time.
This water-soluble ink from Jacquard is opaque-white in color. Any material or fabric that this ink is used on will be dry-washable and comfortable to wear.
Features:
- 16-ounce bottle of ink
- Opaque white in color
- Air dries gradually
- Easy to use and store; comes with an airtight cover
- Comes with an archival quality with superior detail
- Gives great coverage
- Doesn’t bleed or spread
- Durable and scuff-proof
- Water soluble and dry-washable
- Doesn’t buckle or curl when using
- Thick ink that doesn’t crack after drying
5. Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink
A single 8-ounce bottle of water-based screen printing ink that’s fluorescent magenta in color.
It is perfect for most kinds of fabric, cardboard and paper materials, except for nylon. Water-soluble and non-toxic, this ink is safe to use and inhale in workshops and classrooms.
When properly set, the ink will be completely permanent and cannot be washed away.
Made in the USA, each color is sold separately. The ink can be directly used with a brush to paint on fabric, paper or cardboard directly.
Features:
- 8-ounce bottle of ink
- Fluorescent magenta in color
- Safe to use anywhere
- Recommended for use on paper, fiber and cardboard
- Each color is sold separately
- Completely permanent when heat dried
- Cannot be washed away
- Made in USA
- Not to be used on nylon
6.Sax True Flow Water Soluble Ink
In a vivid black color, this is an 8-ounce bottle of water soluble ink that is bold, bright and permanent.
In most recommended materials, this is an ink that can be applied smoothly and is distributed evenly, without drying up quickly.
The ink takes time to dry and does so gradually, giving the user ample time to finish their work.
Non-toxic and safe to use, you can easily clean up this ink from your skin or tools using soap and water.
Not just for fabric, this ink from Sax True Flow can be used on wooden blocks, linoleum, polyfoam and flexible vinyl plates.
Much more affordable than other brands, this is nevertheless an effective ink for screen printing that can be used in workshops, training and in classrooms.
Features:
- 8-ounce bottle of ink
- Vivid and bright black in color
- Safe to use anywhere and around children
- Recommended for use on fabric, wooden blocks, polyfoam and vinyl plates
- Completely permanent when heat dried
- Can be washed away from skin and tools with water and soap
- Affordable and effective brand
- Dries up gradually
- Smooth application and even distribution on most materials
7. Permaset Aqua 300ml Fabric Printing Ink
A large 300-ml can of standard white ink, this water-soluble ink from Permaset Aqua is 100% solvent free and environment-friendly.
When used on any fabric, the ink blends well with the fabric and keeps everything soft and comfortable to the skin.
This ink from Permaset Aqua is recommended for use on most kinds of fabrics including cotton, silk, polyester and most synthetics. It is a permanent ink that doesn’t wash away with water but gives the fabric a superior rub.
Features:
- 300-ml bottle of ink
- Standard white in color
- Environment friendly and safe to use
- Recommended for use on most fabric, i.e. silk, cotton, synthetics and polyester
- Completely permanent after drying
- Can be washed away from skin and tools with water and soap
- Ink blends with the fabric and keeps it comfortable
- 100% solvent free
- Superior rub and dry clean resistant
- Water soluble ink for screen printing
8. Ecotex Water Based Standard Ink Kit
This ink kit includes a total of six different colors, from Snow White to Process Blue, Rubine, Yellow and Jet Black to Green – every single color you’ll need for a variety of designs.
Each of these ink bottles are 6 to 8-ounces in size, and perfect for screen printing or for direct use on fabric.
Beside most kinds of fabric, this ink from Ecotex can also be used on poster paper and wood, and other materials.
Even when used liberally, the fabric will stay soft and comfortable against the skin. Because the ink is also low in viscosity, the ink is easy to work with even for a beginner or a newbie.
This ink is also a high opacity ink which can make bold and vibrant color patterns on most kinds of materials and fabrics, when used on a press.
Features:
- Set of 6-colored ink bottles
- 6 to 8 ounces of ink in each bottle
- White, rubine, black, green, yellow and blue in color
- Suitable for most kinds of fabric
- Can be used on poster paper and wood
- Fabric will stay soft and comfortable when ink is used
- Low viscosity ink
- High opacity ink gives bright and vivid color
- Easy to work with
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do water-based inks last?
A: When opened for the first time, most types of water-based ink need to be used within two days or less. If left longer than that, the ink will start to lose its quality and dry up. If the cover is left open, the ink will evaporate and vanish within a few hours.
However, most ink from reputed brands will have at least two to three years of shelf life unless they have been opened and used.
Q: What is the difference between plastisol and water-based ink?
A: In general, plastisol is much thicker than water-based ink that is used for screen printing. When plastisol is used on fabric, it will create a heightened layer on the fabric which can be a little stiff and uncomfortable.
On the other hand, water-based ink will blend into the fabric and not make it uncomfortable. Because plastisol is more rigid than water-soluble ink, it doesn’t feel stiff when the fabric is scrunched up in a bundle.
Q: Does water based screen printing ink expire?
A: Water-based screen printing ink bottles don’t exactly come with an expiration date, but that doesn’t mean they last forever. If stored at room temperature and not opened, these ink will last for years as long as the container is air-tight and intact.
Q: Does water-based ink wash off?
A: Freshly applied water-based ink can be washed off before they have dried, which is a slow process. These inks take hours to completely dry and become permanent, and can be washed away before that. Besides, being water-based, these kinds of ink can be easily washed away from your skin or tools with soap and water.
Conclusion
For screen printing or for painting directly on fabric, wood, paper or cardboard, water-based or water-soluble ink are the best options.
They are available in a lot of different colors and are completely safe to use. Even as a beginner or a hobbyist, these inks are very easy to use and can give a variety of results.