Bulk Manufacturing
Water-Based Screen Printing
Soft, breathable prints for bulk orders. Eco-friendly water-based inks that soak into fabric for a vintage, no-feel finish.
What It Is
Water-based and discharge printing are advanced screen printing techniques that use water-soluble inks instead of traditional plastisol. These methods create prints that become part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.
Water-Based Printing: Uses eco-friendly inks that soak into the fabric fibers, creating a soft, breathable print with no raised texture. Ideal for light-colored garments and designs that require a vintage, worn-in feel.
Discharge Printing: Uses a special ink that removes the dye from dark fabrics and replaces it with color in one step. This creates incredibly soft prints on dark garments with vibrant colors and zero hand feel.
Technical Specifications
Water-Based Printing
- Fabric Requirements: Works best on 100% cotton, light colors
- Minimum Order: 72-144 pieces depending on colors and ink type
- Color Limit: Up to 18 colors on our M&R Gauntlet 4 press; 1-4 colors recommended for best results
- Durability: Excellent wash durability, colors may fade slightly over time for vintage effect
- Turnaround: 10-14 business days
Discharge Printing
- Fabric Requirements: 100% cotton dark garments only (discharge-friendly dyes required)
- Minimum Order: 72–144 pieces depending on colors and ink type
- Color Limit: Up to 18 colors on our M&R Gauntlet 4 press; 1-3 colors recommended for discharge
- Durability: Permanent, will not crack or peel
- Turnaround: 10-14 business days
Best For
Fashion Brands
High-end retail collections requiring premium feel
Vintage Aesthetics
Designs that benefit from soft, worn-in look
Eco-Conscious Brands
Sustainable printing with minimal environmental impact
Complex Designs
Detailed artwork on dark garments with vibrant colors
Premium Comfort
Products where breathability and softness are critical
Retail Collections
Professional merchandise for boutiques and online stores
Important Considerations
Fabric Testing Required: Not all dark fabrics are discharge-friendly. We recommend testing before large orders.
Color Variation: Discharge results can vary slightly based on fabric dye composition.
Higher Minimums: These specialty techniques require higher minimum orders than standard plastisol printing.
Extended Turnaround: Additional curing and quality control time required.
Related Services
-
Read more
Specialty Inks