TopicsClose
Inks · 3 of 8 · 1 min read

Discharge

Discharge is a water-based ink with an activator that removes the garment’s dye under heat, so the print area goes back toward the natural fiber color or takes on a pigment color. It can feel like there’s no ink at all.

  • Mixing: the activator is added by weight; levels vary by brand, so follow the maker’s sheet. SPSI lists a pot life of about 8 hours once activated. Dissolve the activator fully, or prints come out streaky.
  • Curing: ScreenPrinting.com says a conveyor dryer is the only way to cure discharge, ideally with forced air. A flash isn’t safe for it, and a heat gun can’t do it. Follow the TDS.
  • Safety: curing releases formaldehyde and the activator can cause allergic reactions. Use gloves, a mask and proper ventilation, and follow the SDS.
  • Garments: it only works on dischargeable shirts (usually 100% cotton, reactive-dyed), and dye lots can discharge differently. Always test the actual garment lot.
  • Beginner-friendly? No. Learn plastisol or regular water-based first.
Sources for this guide (32)
  1. Davis International, FAQs
  2. Davis International, Common issues
  3. Davis International, 7600 Series product bulletin (PDF)
  4. Wilflex (Avient), Ink curing tips (2020, PDF)
  5. Wilflex (Avient), Product selection guide (PDF)
  6. International Coatings, Low-cure additive 3804
  7. International Coatings, Catalyst 900 (nylon)
  8. Avient, Wilflex Epic Rio color mixing system
  9. ScreenPrinting.com Help, How do you cure water-based ink?
  10. Avient, Mapping your conveyor dryer (PDF)
  11. SPSI, Aquarius Activator ZF
  12. CCI, T-Charge tech sheet (PDF)
  13. ScreenPrinting.com, High contrast with discharge inks
  14. Lancer Group, NX6135 high density additive
  15. Impressions, The challenges of screen printing on caps
  16. ScreenPrinting.com, Printing with plastisol vs. water-based ink
  17. ScreenPrinting.com Help, Water-based vs. plastisol
  18. ScreenPrinting.com Help, Curing water-based ink without forced air
  19. Lawson Screen & Digital, Plastisol ink FAQ
  20. Lawson Screen & Digital, Low-cure screen printing ink
  21. Lawson Screen & Digital, Eliminating fibrillation
  22. Lawson Screen & Digital, Testing polyester for dye migration
  23. ScreenPrinting.com, What is dye migration?
  24. ScreenPrinting.com, Decoding poly white and dye blocker inks
  25. PIA/SPTF, Textile plastisol curing troubleshooting (PDF)
  26. Lancer Group, STI direct print silicone ink system (PDF)
  27. Northwest Graphic, Silextreme silicone ink
  28. Graphics Pro, Silicone simplified
  29. Avient, Print technique guide, 2023 (PDF)
  30. Avient, PAGEJ100 Crystalina tech data sheet
  31. International Coatings, Puff additive
  32. ScreenPrinting.com, 4 curing methods

Ranges are starting points from these sources. When a source and your ink’s tech data sheet disagree, follow the tech data sheet.