Water-Based Screen Printing
An ink that soaks into the fiber instead of sitting on top of the fabric as a layer, leaving a soft, matte finish that's part of the garment.
What is water-based screen printing
Water-based ink uses water as its carrier: once cured, the pigment sits inside the fiber instead of forming a noticeable film on top of it.
- Soft-hand feel with a matte finish
- Print is part of the fabric, with no surface layer
- Breathable garment, comfortable for everyday wear
- Excellent results on light-colored garments
- Well suited for large-area artwork without stiffening the fabric
- Can be combined with discharge ink in the same project
When it's the right choice
Recommended when garment comfort and hand feel are the priority.
Clothing brands
Collections with a soft finish and natural look.
Everyday merch
Frequently worn garments that need to feel light.
Light-colored garments
Maximizes pigment penetration into the fiber.
Large-format artwork
Big prints without stiffening the fabric.
Kids' apparel
Soft, breathable finish on small sizes.
Cotton product lines
Projects looking for a matte, natural finish.
Technical considerations
Technical points to consider.
- Loses opacity on dark garments compared to plastisol
- Performs better on natural fibers than on synthetics
- Requires more controlled drying and curing
- Final color reads slightly softer than plastisol
- On dark garments it's often paired with discharge for added opacity
- The finish is confirmed on a sample using the project's fabric
Production capacity
Scalable production
Automatic, manual and semi-automatic equipment lets us match the process to the artwork, the run size and the characteristics of each garment.
See production capacityOther techniques
Puff Screen Printing
See how the technique works, where it fits and what production requires.
View serviceHigh-Density Printing
See how the technique works, where it fits and what production requires.
View serviceSimulated Process
See how the technique works, where it fits and what production requires.
View serviceFrequently asked questions
How is this different from plastisol?
Plastisol sits on top of the fabric with higher opacity; water-based ink soaks into the fiber for a soft hand feel, with less opacity on dark garments.
Does it work on black garments?
With limitations. For dark garments it's often combined with discharge, or plastisol is recommended depending on the desired result.
Is it suitable for volume production?
Yes. It runs on automatic screen printing presses with controlled drying throughout the run.
Does it hold up to washing?
Yes, with a proper cure. We recommend washing inside-out and avoiding direct ironing over the print.
Can it print fine detail?
Yes, it handles a good level of detail, especially on light-colored, tightly woven fabric.
Quote water-based screen printing
Share quantity, product and artwork so we can review feasibility and quote your run.
Get a quote for water-based screen printing
Send us the artwork and quantity and we'll confirm whether the technique fits your product.