The primary difference is that the water based ink would dye the fabric i e.
Difference between plastisol and vinyl.
But while the difference is easy enough to read in the names how this difference impacts your screenprint takes a little more research.
Plastisol is a plastic based ink used on apparel whereas the water based ink is a high end ink used commonly for retail printing as well as apparel.
And when heated to a high temperature or cured it becomes a solid.
The printing process and chemistry of water based is much different than plastisol.
Water based ink versus plastisol.
For a long time plastisol inks were the most common choice since water based inks were more difficult to use.
With any water based or discharge water based ink the pigment actually integrates or soaks into the fabric.
Plastisol coated clothing must be cured in an oven before it can be sold in retail locations.
It s made up of pvc particles or other polymers suspended in plasticizer.
It would completely replace the fabric color with its own color.
One is made of water and one is made of plastic.
The first and most notable difference between these two is the hand or feel of the ink.
What is the difference between plastisol and water based inks.
Plastisol films are more likely to result in harder hand feel and also limit breathability of textiles both of which are considered less desirable.
Ink is one of the most used products when you are screen printing.
In slush molding the plastisol is placed inside a metal mold which is then spun rapidly to force the plastic to take on the shape of the mold.
It s essentially liquid plastic.
But this oil based ink.
Plastisol ink pigment sits on top of the fabric.
The reason is the fundamental difference between these inks.
Also because of their higher build older plastisols are more likely to chip or crack and printing over high nap fabrics or onto areas such as seams creases or contact areas on textiles can.
Another popular use for plastisol is as a material for slush molding.
So what is the deal with plastisol versus water based ink.
The plastisol applied to the sheets consists of polyvinyl chloride based thermoplastic resins with short molecular chains which gives the sheets excellent resistance to uv.