Debunking the myths of water-based screen printing inks

For a large part of the sector, water-based screen printing inks do not come into play at the moment of printing, they always prefer other types of inks that may be easier to use, or because they do not have another ink, or because they have not been able to use water-based inks correctly.

Myth number 1 - Printing with water-based inks is complicated and unpredictable.

Truth - The screen printing industry advances by leaps and bounds year after year, previously only plastisol paints could offer a simple job due to their durability and because they do not dry on the mesh, but today thanks to water-based inks like Green Earth or Space we can work calmly obtaining good results in feel, durability and without problems with drying on the mesh.

Myth number 2 - You have to invest a lot of money in new equipment and supplies in order to properly cure water-based ink.

Truth - This was very true in the past, to properly cure water-based inks we had to use a high-performance air extractor to filter all the vapor formed when curing the inks. Nowadays, water-based lacquers or inks have additives that allow them to cure at a lower temperature and thus avoid producing so much vapor.

Myth number 3 - Pre-coated screens deteriorate very quickly.

Truth - To a certain level all emulsions are water soluble, which means that when in contact with water and over time they will break down. Due to the major shift the textile industry is making towards the use of water-based inks, emulsion manufacturers have taken note and today we can perfectly work with emulsions like Aquasol Murakami or Murakami SP9500. In conclusion, we must always choose an emulsion prudently and we can work with total confidence and without limitations.

Myth number 4 - Water-based inks cannot be mixed well

Truth- Currently, the vast majority of lacquers or water-based inks have 80% of the same additives and preparation, so we can mix them without problems. We must keep in mind that each ink has its curing temperature; it is advised to do curing tests to know the necessary degrees for proper particle fusion, usually 140-160ºC is enough.

Myth number 5 - Water-based inks dry on the mesh and do not allow for long jobs.

Truth - While most water-based inks dry on the mesh by water evaporation, the new lacquer formulas have improved the drying quality on the mesh, making it more extensive. In our case, we have even been able to work with the water-based inks Green Earth and Space for more than 6 hours straight, taking precautions and using small tricks like mixing the inks well among themselves or spraying a bit of distilled water mixed with retarder on the mesh... so..Accept that job of 1000 t-shirts!

Myth number 6 - You can't get opaque colors with water-based inks, they are very transparent.

Truth - Most of the new base ink formulas, such as Green Earth Verde Hierba or Space Blanco, have a higher pigment percentage than other inks, so they can perfectly cover the fabric. Also, we can always screen print or stamp over a white base lacquer or a discharge base, making the touch softer and with hardly any relief.

So, don't worry anymore about the myths of water-based inks, dare to try and tell us about your experience!