# Plastisol Inks vs Water-Based Inks: Know the Difference


Nowadays, when everyone is running towards trendy apparel. It is crucial to pick only the best materials to design them. Plenty of things play a vital role in making the designs and prints on the clothes long-lasting. One of them is the type of ink that should be used on clothes.

Mainly, two types of ink are used for printing designs on clothes: [[plastisol & water-based ink](https://screenprintdirect.com/blogs/screen_printing_101/plastisol-vs-water-based-inks)]. This blog will examine which is better: plastisol vs water-based ink, and help you decide which one you should use for designing your clothes. Let's explore the differences among both inks and analyze which is best.

**Water-based Inks**

Water based inks use water as their primary solvent for conveyance pigmentation. These are made up of polyurethane hybrid blends of acrylic resins. This ink delves into the fabric more than plastisol ink, providing a smooth and soft print.

One of the most significant advantages of water-based inks is their environmental friendliness. They contain less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than solvent-based inks, which can harm the environment and human health.

**Plastisol Inks**

In the present-day world, plastisol inks are the most commonly used ink, praised for their exceptional properties. Plastisol ink comprises (PVC) particles and requires any solvent to transfer pigmentation.

One of the outstanding properties of plastisol ink is its adaptability. It can be utilized on various materials, including polyester, nylon, cotton, blends, and even non-textile surfaces like wood and ceramics.

Plastisol ink is recognized for its brilliant opacity and provides vibrant colors even when working on dark colors. The ink guarantees that the design stands out strikingly and maintains the vibrancy of the textile even when working with dark color substrates.

**The difference: Water Based Ink vs Plastisol Ink**

Here are the major factors that differentiate between plastisol vs water-based ink

**Durability**

Regarding textile printing durability, water-based and plastisol inks have significant advantages and disadvantages. Water-based inks are praised for their smooth and breathable feel on clothes, which makes them easy to wear, especially on light-colored garments.

They may, however, struggle to retain their brilliance and tenacity in dark materials. Plastisol inks, on the other hand, excel at giving excellent opacity and exceptional durability, particularly on darker textiles. Their capacity to produce a firm, long-lasting print is well-known, but they frequently produce a thicker, less flexible texture on the cloth.

**Versatility**

Plastisol ink is adaptable and can be used with various fabrics and additives. Conversely, water-based inks are best suited with 100% cotton fabrics. Mixed textiles don't assimilate to water-based inks.

However, Plastisol ink is more versatile than water-based ink. Plastisol ink can be used on various fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. It also has better color vibrancy.

**Softness & Breathability**

Water-based inks produce softer and lighter prints, which makes the fabric more comfortable and breathable. Conversely, plastisol is thicker in its texture as it is made up of PVC or plastic particles, making it less breathable and rigid.

**Color**

Plastisol inks produce more vibrant colors, especially on darker textiles. On the other hand, water-based inks produce vibrant prints but only on light-shade apparel. It doesn't print vibrant colors on darker textiles

**Eco-friendliness**

Water-based inks are slightly nature-friendly but not 100%. These are considered more eco-friendly. Well, water-based inks also consist of plastic in the form of acrylic and other binders. But water-based inks are more eco-friendly than plastisol inks.

On the contrast side, plastisol inks are based on PVC resin and phthalate plasticizer and are typically cleaned up with petrochemical solvents. Also contains harmful phthalates, which can leach into the ecosystem.

**Composition**

Water-Based ink primarily utilizes water as the solvent, often combined with acrylic resins. This formulation enables the ink to permeate the fabric's fibers, producing a soft and breathable print. In contrast, Plastisol Ink incorporates PVC (polyvinyl chloride) particles and relies on a solvent for pigment transfer, yielding a thicker print with a unique texture.

This compositional contrast plays a significant role in determining the visual, tactile, and overall performance characteristics of the printed design, influencing the choice between these ink types for diverse printing needs.

**Conclusion**

Finally, the choice between plastisol vs water based ink for garment design is determined by several crucial factors. Water-based inks are ideal for light-colored garments since they are both comfortable and eco-friendly. They might not look as good on dark fabrics.

Plastisol inks outperform pigment inks on dark surfaces regarding durability and color brightness, but they make thicker prints and pose environmental concerns. Designers and manufacturers should decide based on project needs, aesthetics, and environmental considerations.