What Is Plastisol Ink?
Plastisol ink is the most popular screen printing ink for custom apparel, made from **PVC (polyvinyl chloride) particles** suspended in a plasticizer. Unlike water-based inks, plastisol inks **do not air dry** and require heat curing at **320-350°F** to become permanently bonded to the fabric.
At T-Shirt Elephant, we've been using premium plastisol inks since 2012, making us Canada's largest online custom apparel company. Our team of 75+ professionals has perfected plastisol screen printing techniques, ensuring vibrant, durable results for every order across Canada.
PVC Chemistry & Curing Process
Plastisol ink's unique chemistry gives it **unlimited working time** on the press, the ink never dries until heated. When exposed to temperatures between **320-350°F**, the PVC particles **melt and fuse together**, creating a durable plastic layer that bonds to the fabric fibres.
This curing process transforms the liquid ink into a **flexible, solid film** that can withstand hundreds of washes without fading, cracking, or peeling. The cured plastisol creates a slightly raised texture that many customers prefer for its premium feel and visual impact.
Why Choose Plastisol Ink?
Plastisol ink offers several advantages over other screen printing inks:
- Exceptional Opacity: Perfect coverage over dark fabrics without underbase layers
- Vibrant Colours: Intense colour saturation that maintains brilliance wash after wash
- Superior Durability: Withstands 100+ industrial wash cycles
- Unlimited Working Time: Never dries on press, allowing complex multi-colour setups
- Pantone Matching: Precise colour matching for brand consistency
- Versatile Applications: Works on cotton, cotton blends, and many synthetic fabrics
Best Garments for Plastisol Printing
Plastisol inks work exceptionally well on:
100% Cotton Garments
Cotton provides the best adhesion for plastisol inks. Popular choices include the Gildan 5000 and Bella Canvas 3001 for their excellent print results.
Cotton-Polyester Blends
50/50 and 60/40 cotton-poly blends offer durability and comfort while maintaining excellent plastisol adhesion. Perfect for custom hoodies and sweatshirts.
Plastisol vs Other Ink Types
While we offer multiple ink types including water-based and discharge inks, plastisol remains our most requested option for its combination of durability, colour vibrancy, and cost-effectiveness for large runs.
Our design team can help you choose the best ink type for your specific project, ensuring optimal results whether you're printing custom t-shirts in Toronto or shipping custom jerseys across Canada.
Plastisol Ink Advantages
Discover why plastisol ink is the preferred choice for professional screen printing across Canada.
Superior Opacity
Plastisol ink provides **excellent coverage** on dark garments without requiring underbase layers. The PVC-based formula creates dense, opaque prints that completely hide the underlying fabric colour.
Exceptional Durability
When properly cured at **320-350°F**, plastisol prints can withstand **hundreds of washes** without fading, cracking, or peeling. Perfect for workwear and frequently washed garments.
Vibrant Colours
Achieve **brilliant colour saturation** that maintains intensity over time. Plastisol inks deliver rich, vibrant colours that pop off the fabric with excellent colour fastness properties.
Unlimited Working Time
Unlike water-based inks, plastisol **never dries on the screen**, allowing unlimited setup time for complex multi-colour designs without worrying about screen clogging.
Pantone Matching
Achieve **precise colour matching** with custom mixed plastisol inks. We can match virtually any Pantone colour for brand consistency and corporate identity projects.
Our Plastisol Screen Printing Process
From artwork to finished product, here's how we create your custom plastisol printed apparel with precision and quality.
Artwork Preparation
Your design is converted to print-ready format with proper colour separations. Our design team optimises artwork specifically for plastisol ink printing.
Screen Preparation
Mesh screens are prepared with appropriate mesh counts for plastisol ink. Lower mesh counts allow proper ink deposit for optimal opacity and coverage.
Custom Ink Mixing
Plastisol inks are custom mixed to match your exact colours. We can achieve **Pantone colour matching** and special effects like metallics and glows.
Screen Printing
Plastisol ink is pushed through screens using precise pressure. The ink's **unlimited working time** allows for perfect registration across all colours.
Heat Curing
Printed garments are cured in our conveyor dryer at **320-350°F** to permanently fuse the PVC particles and create the durable plastisol film.
Quality Control
Each garment is inspected for proper cure, colour accuracy, and print quality. We test wash samples to ensure durability meets our high standards.
Best Products for Plastisol Printing
Plastisol ink works exceptionally well on various fabric types and garments. Here are our top recommendations for the best plastisol screen printing results:
Recommended Fabric Types
- 100% Cotton: Provides the best adhesion and durability for plastisol inks. Excellent wash fastness and colour vibrancy.
- Cotton-Polyester Blends: 50/50 and 60/40 blends offer comfort and durability with good plastisol adhesion properties.
- Cotton-Poly-Rayon Tri-Blends: Softer feel while maintaining plastisol compatibility for premium apparel.
- Heavy Cotton Fleece: Perfect for hoodies and sweatshirts with excellent ink penetration.
Popular Product Categories
Custom T-Shirts
Our most popular plastisol printing option. Perfect for promotional items, team shirts, and events with vibrant, long-lasting results.
Custom Hoodies
Plastisol's durability makes it ideal for hoodies that see frequent washing. Excellent opacity on dark fleece fabrics.
Custom Jerseys
Sports jerseys benefit from plastisol's durability and vibrant team colours that maintain intensity through active use.
Premium T-Shirts
High-quality cotton tees like the Bella Canvas 3001 showcase plastisol's superior print quality.
Plastisol vs Water-Based vs Discharge Inks
| Ink Type | Durability | Feel | Opacity | Working Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastisol | Excellent | Slightly raised | Superior | Unlimited | Dark garments, large runs |
| Water-Based | Very Good | Soft, breathable | Good (light fabrics) | Limited (dries) | Light garments, vintage look |
| Discharge | Excellent | Ultra-soft | Good (removes dye) | Very Limited | 100% cotton, vintage effects |
Frequently Asked Questions About Plastisol Ink
Ready to Start Your Plastisol Printing Project?
Get a free quote today and experience Canada's best plastisol ink screen printing. Over 1,500 satisfied customers trust our quality and service.
