The Ultimate Guide to Plastisol Inks- featuring SHALITEINK

Do you want to make cool shirts? Screen printing is a fun and creative way to do it! This guide will show you how to use plastisol ink, step-by-step. It’s easy to learn—and even more fun to try. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is like using a stencil to put ink on a shirt. You use a screen (like a window with tiny holes) and a stencil to make shapes. Ink gets pushed through the holes and lands right on the shirt.

What is Plastisol Ink? A Closer Look

Plastisol ink is a thick, strong ink made from plastic bits in a gooey liquid. It doesn’t soak into the fabric—it sits on top. That’s how it makes colors look so bold!

How Does It Work?

Plastisol ink needs heat to stick to the shirt. This is called curing. Think of it like melting crayons—they’re hard until you heat them. Once hot, plastisol ink melts into a smooth, lasting print.

Why Use Plastisol Ink?

Great for dark shirts
Bright and bold colors
Lasts through lots of washes
Easy to print with

Plastisol vs. Other Inks

Ink Type	Good For…	Not Good For…
Plastisol	Dark shirts, bright colors	Soft feel
Water-based	Light shirts, soft feel	Dark colors
Discharge	Removing color	Adding bright colors

Pros and Cons of Plastisol Ink

Pros:

Super bright colors
Easy to work with
Very durable
Works on many types of fabric

Cons:

Needs to be heated
Not as soft to the touch
Some inks aren’t eco-friendly (but don’t worry—SHALITEINK has safer options!)

Tools You Need

Screen – to hold your stencil
Squeegee – to push ink through the screen
Dryer or flash dryer – to heat the ink
Plastisol ink – like the vibrant colors from SHALITEINK

Step-by-Step: How to Print a Shirt

Design your art – Draw or create your design.
Burn the screen – Use a special film to make your stencil.
Place the screen – Line it up on the shirt.
Push the ink – Use the squeegee to apply ink.
Cure the print – Heat it until it’s fully dry.

Pro Tips for Color Printing Plastisol Inks

Want your colors to pop on dark shirts? Start with a bright white underbase using SHALITEINK White Plastisol Ink – HF-1101.

Add sunshine: Try SHALITEINK Lemon Yellow – HF-1106
Go bold: Use SHALITEINK Extra Black – HF-1602
Stand out: Try SHALITEINK Fluorescent Green – HF-1804

Make It Fancy

You can do more than just basic prints!

Heat Transfers – Print on paper, then press it on with heat.
High-Density Prints – Add layers for a raised effect.
Additives – Mix in glitter or glow-in-the-dark with SHALITEINK Plastisol Inks -compatible enhancers.

Real Results from the Industry

Category	Key Fact	Source
Industry Use	70% of printers use plastisol for its versatility	20235Survey
Durability	Prints can survive 50+ washes	SHALITEINK Lab
Eco Option	15% of plastisol inks are eco-safe	Environmental Group
Cost Saving	Reduces ink usage by 20%	SHALITEINK Case Study
Popularity	85% of shops love it for bold colors	Screen Printing Magazine
Compliance	90% of SHALITEINK options meet safety standards	Regulations Board
Real-Life Win	One brand saw 40% more sales with vibrant SHALITEINK prints	Fashion Case Study

Troubleshooting Tips

Blurry image? Tighten your screen.
Cracked print? Heat it more.
Sticky ink? Use a curing additive.

Safety First

Plastisol Inks is mostly safe, but remember:

Avoid contact with eyes.
Wash your hands after printing.
Work in a ventilated area.

SHALITEINK also offers eco-conscious inks that don’t contain harmful chemicals—look for those if you want to be more planet-friendly.

Ready to Print?

SHALITEINK plastisol inks are bright, bold, and built to last. Whether you’re printing your first shirt or running a print shop, SHALITEINK Plastisol Inks gives you the tools to make something amazing.

Now go create—and have fun doing it!