Choosing the right screen printing ink can feel overwhelming when you're starting a shop. There are dozens of ink systems available, and each one is designed for specific fabrics, printing methods, and finished looks.

At One Stroke Inks, we help printers every day who are trying to decide where to begin. The good news is that most shops don't need every type of ink. Starting with a few reliable products will cover the majority of jobs.

Plastisol Ink Is The Most Common Choice

For most screen printers, plastisol ink is the easiest and most versatile place to start.

Plastisol offers:

Because plastisol does not dry in the screen, it is forgiving and easy to work with. This makes it ideal for beginners and production shops alike.

General Purpose Plastisol Inks

If your shop mainly prints cotton garments, a general purpose series can handle most jobs.

Our Mr. Cotton White is designed for everyday production and offers dependable performance with a soft-hand feel. Pair this white with any general purpose color lines.

For an even smoother finish, try our Underbase LC White. It has a lower cure temperature and improved bleed resistance when compared to Mr. Cotton White.

Low-Temp Inks For Polyester

Athletic wear generally is made from polyester fibers that can cause dye migration and spandex that needs extra stretch. ELT-S Series is your best option for these garments.

If your shop prints jerseys or other dense materials, low-temperature inks are worth having. These inks will prevent damage to the fabric from excess heat inside the dryer.

Hoodies and other fuzzy materials require products such as Mia White or ELT-XO White that are designed to help fiber matte-down while also having lower cure temperatures and exceptional bleed resistance.

Watercolor Inks

Water-based inks produce extremely soft prints but require much more heat than plastisol. They also require a special emulsion and extra ventilation.

Our Watercolor Series is our plastisol alternative to water-based ink for shops looking for a softer feel without the hassle.

Puff Inks

Puff inks expand when cured and create a raised three-dimensional effect.

These inks are popular for fashion printing and specialty graphics.

Our 680 Puff Series provides puff effects while maintaining good print quality.

Specialty Inks

Specialty inks can help your shop offer unique designs that stand out from competitors.

Some popular options include:

These products are useful when customers want something beyond standard printing.

Mixing Systems

If your shop regularly prints custom colors, an ink mixing system can save time and inventory.

Products such as the ELT Ink to Ink Mixing System or the Pigment Mixing System allow printers to simulate Pantone colors.

What Should A New Shop Buy First?

Most new shops can handle the majority of jobs with a universal ink system designed for every type of fabric.

There is no need to buy every specialty ink right away. Starting with dependable products helps keep production simple and customers happy.

The Best Choice Depends On Your Customers

A shop printing school spirit wear has different needs than a fashion brand or a contract printer.

The best ink is the one that matches the garments you print most often and fits your production style.