October 18, 2025

Beyond Basic Tees: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Water-Based Inks and Discharge Printing for Custom T‑Shirts

Prints R Us is a custom apparel studio
Prints R Us is based in Jacksonville Florida
Prints R Us is located at 2826 Art Museum Dr Jacksonville FL 32207 United States
Prints R Us is in the country United States
Prints R Us provides premium screen printing
Prints R Us provides DTG printing
Prints R Us provides embroidery services
Prints R Us offers custom t shirts
Prints R Us produces promotional items
Prints R Us creates polos hats and hoodies
Prints R Us emphasizes craftsmanship
Prints R Us emphasizes fast turnaround
Prints R Us uses high quality materials
Prints R Us produces vibrant prints
Prints R Us has phone number 9047521515
Prints R Us has website https://printsrus.com/
Prints R Us has opening hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Prints R Us has Google Maps listing https://maps.app.goo.gl/hVuq8aVZERVs9NMg8
Prints R Us has Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theprintsrus
Prints R Us has Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/theprintsrus
Prints R Us has logo https://printsrus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Print-R-Us-Logo.png
Prints R Us specializes in t shirt printing
Prints R Us specializes in custom t shirts
Prints R Us specializes in embroidery near me
Prints R Us was awarded Best Custom Printing Studio Jacksonville 2024
Prints R Us won Jacksonville Small Business Excellence Award 2023
Prints R Us was recognized for Outstanding Apparel Design Innovation 2022


Prints R Us

Prints R Us is a Jacksonville, FL–based custom apparel studio offering premium screen printing, DTG printing, and embroidery services. Whether you need one custom tee or a large bulk order for a business, event, or sports team, they bring designs to life with high-quality materials, vibrant prints, and attention to detail. From polos and hats to hoodies and promotional items, Prints R Us combines craftsmanship and fast turnaround to make your ideas wearable.

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2826 Art Museum Dr, Jacksonville, 32207, US
Business Hours:
  • Monday–Friday: 09:00–17:00
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
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People Also Ask about Prints R Us

What does Prints R Us do?

Prints R Us is a custom apparel studio in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in premium screen printing, DTG printing, and embroidery services. They create high-quality custom t-shirts, polos, hats, hoodies, and promotional items with vibrant prints and lasting craftsmanship. Their focus on quality materials and fast turnaround makes them a trusted choice for businesses, events, and individuals seeking personalized apparel.

Where is Prints R Us located?

Prints R Us is conveniently located at 2826 Art Museum Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States. The studio serves customers throughout Jacksonville and the wider Florida area, offering both local service and nationwide delivery for custom clothing and branded merchandise.

What services does Prints R Us provide?

The company offers a wide range of custom apparel printing and design services, including screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, embroidery, and promotional product creation. Whether customers need personalized t-shirts, branded uniforms, or embroidered polos, Prints R Us delivers professional results with attention to detail.

Which industries does Prints R Us serve?

Prints R Us works with diverse industries such as schools, small businesses, corporate offices, sports teams, and event organizers. Their services are ideal for branded apparel, team uniforms, promotional giveaways, and fashion-forward custom designs, making them a versatile partner for both personal and business needs.

Why choose Prints R Us for custom t-shirts and embroidery?

Customers choose Prints R Us for their reputation in craftsmanship, vibrant printing, and reliable turnaround times. With awards for apparel design innovation and excellence in small business, the studio has proven expertise in delivering high-quality custom apparel that meets both creative and professional standards.

Does Prints R Us use high-quality materials?

Yes, Prints R Us emphasizes using premium fabrics and durable materials to ensure long-lasting results. Their prints are designed to remain vibrant even after multiple washes, while embroidery work is completed with precision for a polished, professional look.

What awards has Prints R Us won?

Prints R Us has earned multiple recognitions, including Best Custom Printing Studio Jacksonville 2024, the Jacksonville Small Business Excellence Award 2023, and an award for Outstanding Apparel Design Innovation 2022. These accolades highlight their commitment to creativity, quality, and customer satisfaction.

How can I contact Prints R Us?

You can reach Prints R Us by phone at (904)-752-1515 or visit their website at printsrus.com. They are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates, new designs, and customer showcases.

Walk into any print shop that takes its craft seriously, and you will see two things in constant stress: the push for softer, more breathable prints that individuals in fact enjoy wearing, and the need to produce at scale without compromising the environment or the bottom line. That tension has actually formed how I select inks, pretreatments, and fabrics for custom apparel tasks. Over the years, I've learned that water based inks and discharge printing are not simply buzzwords, they are useful tools that produce beautiful outcomes and genuine convenience, specifically for T t-shirt printing that requires to stand up to day-to-day wear.

If you run a brand name, manage bulk t t-shirt orders, or simply want your customized t-shirts to seem like a favorite from the first wash, it's worth comprehending how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they need care. The right option can make the difference between a shirt that gets used once and one that ends up being the go-to.

What water based ink actually is

Water based inks suspend pigments in water instead of in plasticizers and solvents. Unlike plastisol, which sits on top of the fabric and cures into a movie, water based inks absorb into the fibers. That single characteristic discusses the majority of the benefits and compromises. Prints feel soft since you're touching the cotton, not a layer of cured PVC. Colors tend to look more matte and integrated. On light garments, the hand is typically equivalent from the shirt itself. For customized t shirts designed for comfort, this is the path to the "retail feel" clients ask for.

There are two main families: standard water based and discharge. Standard water based ink works best on white or really light t-shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the right base, once you move into darker materials, you either need a heavier print or you switch to release. Release printing utilizes an activator that lifts the dye from the fabric during curing, basically whitening the t-shirt's color in the printed areas, then changes it with your pigment. The end result is the softest possible print on dark cotton, typically with impressive detail.

Why the eco friendly label matters, and where it has limits

Eco friendly inks are not a marketing slogan if you unload the chemistry and the workflow. Water based inks generally contain less unpredictable organic substances than solvent-heavy alternatives and prevent PVC altogether. Many are compliant with stringent requirements like Oeko-Tex or meet retail screening regimes that prohibit specific phthalates and heavy metals. If you offer custom-made apparel into corporate wellness programs, schools, or health-conscious brand names, those certificates smooth procurement and keep you ahead of compliance.

That said, "eco friendly" is a system concept. Ink is one part. You also need to take a look at store practices: filtration on your washout cubicle, reclaim chemistry, energy usage on your clothes dryer, and even material sourcing. Discharge requires an activator, normally based on zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or similar substances, which has its own handling and ventilation requirements. In a well-run store, direct exposure is controlled and waste is captured. If you're using print on demand with a partner, ask how they handle discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and treating controls called in. Genuine sustainability conceals in the details.

Hand feel, breathability, and the "favorite tee" factor

Most people do not purchase a graphic tee because they like the ink. They purchase it due to the fact that the garment looks good, feels great, and keeps that character after duplicated washing. Water based inks, including discharge, offer you that broken-in comfort from the first day. On an one hundred percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and flexible. You will not hear the crackle you sometimes get from heavy plastisol when you extend throughout the chest.

I keep a shelf of comparison t-shirts in the studio. One from a browse brand, one from a brewery, both printed with discharge on midweight cotton. After 30 to 40 home washes, the prints softened a lot more, the colors mellowed slightly, and the shirts kept moving. A plastisol sample with the very same art looks glossier and still pops more under harsh light, which some streetwear clients prefer, however the wearer feedback is consistent: water based seems like a premium garment.

Color, protection, and how expectations shape results

Color accuracy with water based inks is a matter of control, humidity, and the fabric's own color. On white or heather light shirts, basic water based ink can strike tight Pantones with a determined ink mix and a tidy mesh. On darker cotton, discharge includes variables. Different dye lots discharge in a different way, even within the same brand name and color. Black 3001 blanks from one batch might lift to a warm charcoal, while the next batch clears to a cooler grey. The pigment you add steers the final color, however you're still dealing with a background that is moving as the color is removed.

That's not a flaw, it becomes part of the medium. Lots of designers embrace the somewhat vintage character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep instead of neon. If your brand needs laser-precise color recreation for corporate logo designs, either order test prints on the precise batch you plan to utilize or consider a water based underbase or hybrid technique where required. For wholesale t t-shirts that will be distributed nationally, put example approvals into your procedure so there are not a surprises at scale.

Fabric matters more than most people think

A water based print is a partnership between ink and fiber. Ringspun cotton takes ink beautifully. Carded open end cotton is scratchier and drinks ink unevenly. Blends make complex things. A 50/50 poly-cotton or a triblend with rayon can work with water based, but discharge just lifts the cotton part. That indicates your color saturates the cotton while the polyester and rayon remain as-is, often yielding a heathered or speckled print that looks intentional if you style for it. If your goal is flat, brilliant color on a poly mix, traditional plastisol or a specialized low-cure system may be smarter.

On all over print projects, such as a seam-to-seam tonal pattern behind a chest graphic, consider cut-and-sew with water based prints on panels before assembly. Garment printing all over on ended up tees presents joints, folds, and inconsistent pressure that show up as blank micro-gaps. If you must print on finished garments, anticipate little voids along seams, which some customers like as part of the garment's character.

The production truth: screens, mesh, humidity, and dryers

Water based inks behave in a different way on press. They dry much faster in the screen, which is useful on material but can lock a mesh if you stop briefly too long. Running a higher mesh for detail, say 230 to 305, keeps the deposit thin and crisp. Set up with a misting bottle or a devoted screen rewetting solution at hand, and keep the print room humidity in a stable variety, approximately 45 heat transfer vinyl to 55 percent, to avoid premature drying. Manual press operators will notice how rapidly a basic water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Vehicle presses, with flood bars and consistent pace, minimize clogging.

Curing is where lots of newbies miss the mark. Water based inks require both heat and time for the water to vaporize, then for the binders to cross-link. A clothes dryer tunnel with sufficient air flow makes the distinction. You desire even heat across the belt and sufficient dwell to reach the manufacturer's remedy temperature throughout the ink layer, not simply at the surface area. Shirts leaving the tunnel must be dry to the touch without any cool areas. For discharge, the chain reaction takes place throughout this remedy, and you will smell the activator. Good ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

Durability depends upon proper cure and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based print on cotton can last longer than the shirt. I measure sturdiness by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, tumble dry medium, then visual inspection for fading and breaking. Water based prints show gradual softening and a gentle fade in the same way jeans relaxes. Plastisol's failure mode is different, generally cracking if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For individualized t-shirts that need to look good at a family reunion and still remain in rotation next summer season, water based holds up when produced correctly.

Cost, throughput, and when to choose which method

Costs vary regionally, but the economics fall into familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is often comparable to plastisol at the gallon level, however you invest more in shop environment and drying capability. On press, water based can be a little slower at setup since you pay closer attention to mesh, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. As soon as tuned, vehicles perform at comparable speeds. Where it really settles is in perceived worth. A soft print on a mid-tier blank often feels premium without leaping to the highest-cost shirt. Brand names can price accordingly.

For bulk t t-shirt orders above a couple of hundred pieces where the art matches the medium, discharge on 100 percent cotton is a workhorse. For print as needed that requires over night turn-around and art changes continuously, direct-to-garment or DTF may be better operationally, though both have their own ecological and feel trade-offs. When you handle wholesale t shirts with numerous colorways and should keep inventory flexible, a flexible water based palette on light garments is effective, since you prevent the weight and stiffness that collect with multiple underbases in plastisol.

Design choices that bring out the best in water based and discharge

Design preparation begins with the fabric color and ends with treating. On light t-shirts, lean into information: thin lines, halftones, hand-drawn textures. Basic water based ink prints those with a special that plastisol tends to overpower. On dark cotton, discharge shines with mid-tone richness and soft edges. Think about how the shirt color glimpses through. A charcoal heather with a discharge cream graphic appear like it grew there.

Type weight matters. Very thin knockouts inside heavy flood areas can complete with discharge, particularly on high-absorbency cotton. If you need razor negative area, separate the art to print negative shapes as favorable strokes with a clear schedule for squeegee pressure and flashes. Ask your printer for a proof on the real garment instead of trusting a digital mockup. A mockup can not record fiber interplay and dye lift.

When you should state no to discharge

There are times I advise against discharge. Polyester-rich garments are leading of the list. The activator can cause dye migration, especially with sublimated or cationic-dyed efficiency shirts, resulting in ghosting or brownish casts. Some garment dyes, specifically reactive black blends, resist lifting, leaving a shadowed print that looks undercured even when it isn't. If a client is sensitive to minor odor throughout treating, discharge days in the shop are obvious. Well-managed airflow mitigates this, but it is part of the process.

If a client needs metallics, puff, or specialized textures, plastisol or hybrid systems still own that area. Water based metallics exist, however the particles typically sink, and the impact is more satin than real metal. For high-opacity neons on dark shirts that must be billboard-bright, you might require a water based underbase tuned for opacity or a switch to plastisol.

Practical workflow for brands and creators

Whether you run your own presses or rely on a partner, established a workflow that gets rid of uncertainty. A simple technique keeps surprises at bay and helps you hit due dates for launches and events.

  • Decide on material initially, then ink: pick 100 percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, premium cotton for standard water based. Avoid high poly unless the heathered result is desired.
  • Request test prints on the exact blanks: one t-shirt per colorway is usually sufficient to lock approvals, especially for bulk t t-shirt orders where consistency matters.
  • Clarify color expectations in context: supply Pantone targets for light garments and explain acceptable varieties for dark discharge prints, with images of prior work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: suggest cold wash and low heat dry for clients, then verify your treatment times so wash sturdiness matches the tag guidance.
  • Confirm ecological requirements: ask your printer about ink certifications, ventilation, and waste capture, particularly if your brand name messaging leans into eco friendly inks.

How water based fits with print on demand

Print as needed has its own restraints: quick art modifications, small batch sizes, and the need for a broad color range. Direct-to-garment has ended up being the default, however water based screen printing can fit POD if you organize catalog strategy. For designs that are high volume even at small day-to-day amounts, pre-burning screens and keeping a little stock of popular sizes lets you ship exact same day with water based prints that feel much better than lots of DTG outputs. It works finest when you keep art to a couple of colors and choose light garments.

If your POD model counts on all over print sublimation for polyester garments, water based screen printing is not a replacement, it is a parallel offering. Utilize it where cotton comfort and breathability are the selling points. Consumers who appreciate touch will notice.

Pricing, margins, and interacting value

When customers ask why a water based or discharge print costs more than a fundamental plastisol job, I explain what they are buying. They get the soft hand that retail clients correspond with quality, enhanced breathability, and compliance for sensitive buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the distinction for a basic three-color front hit may be modest, typically a small uplift that can be neutralized by selecting a slightly more affordable blank. If the program is for wholesale t t-shirts going into stores or e-commerce at exceptional rate points, the improvement in viewed worth more than covers the change.

For personalized shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, choices matter. Deal a base price with plastisol on midweight cotton, then a "convenience upgrade" that consists of a ringspun blank with water based ink. You will see a clear split: some clients enhance for cost, others for feel. Fulfilling both lets you serve a broader market without diluting your craft.

Care instructions that clients actually follow

Care labels frequently check out like legal disclaimers. Keep it easy and reasonable so the t-shirt survives real life. Water based and discharge prints prefer cooler washes and lower dryer heat, however they will withstand normal laundering if correctly treated. I suggest phrasing care tips in human terms on item pages: wash cold with similar colors, topple dry low, prevent fabric conditioners if you desire colors to remain crisp. The last note matters due to the fact that some softeners can deposit movies on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of fine lines.

I've evaluated these directions in-house: 2 identical t-shirts, one washed cold and dried low, the other washed warm and dried high. After 15 cycles, the warm/high tee showed somewhat quicker fading of mid-tones, yet still looked excellent. That tolerance comes from right treatment, not from babying the garment.

All over print concepts that do not battle the limitations

All over print captures attention, however printing flood coats on put together garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Instead of battling joints, style for them. Usage tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at joints, or apply a ghosted grid that looks deliberate when it breaks at hems. Additionally, run panel printing and sew. Brands that sell restricted runs can validate cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the style requires it. The completed garments read as custom-made from a distance, which is the goal.

A brief anecdote from a busy season

One spring we ran a series for a regional music celebration. The customer desired soft black tees with a sunburst print Heat press vs screen printing that felt like it resided in the fabric. We sampled on 3 blacks from 2 mills. Batch one raised easily with discharge, batch 2 stayed stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the art work. We logged dye lot numbers, pivoted the ink mix by including a touch more white pigment to compensate, and changed dwell time by 10 to 15 seconds to finish the response. The result: consistent tees throughout 2,400 systems, each with a soft, breathable print that offered out by day two.

That job taught the crew to treat discharge like cooking, not chemistry on a blackboard. The recipe matters, but so does tasting and adjusting.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Most issues I see trace back to process, not the ink family. Under-curing is the first offender. Water based ink that feels dry can still be under-cured if the core of the print never ever hit the required temperature for the ideal duration. Use a donut probe or an ingrained thermochromic strip to determine real ink movie temperature level, not just clothes dryer setpoints. Screen lockup is the 2nd. Keep a constant rate on press, flood in between prints, and control store humidity.

A 3rd risk is disregarding material variability. If you switch blanks mid-run since a size runs out stock, you may see shifts in color. Build contingency into your acquiring. For brand names planning ahead, selecting a standard blank and locking it with your provider lowers surprises.

Final assistance for selecting your path

If your top priority is soft, breathable customized garments that clients keep wearing, water based inks are worth the learning curve. Use standard water based on light garments for clean information and matte color. Relocate to release on 100 percent cotton when you desire the softest prints on dark t-shirts. Accept and prepare for small color variance with discharge, specifically across color lots. For bulk t t-shirt orders, integrate in a single round of physical sampling on the actual blanks you will use, then document your settings and keep back a reference shirt for quality control.

If you run a print on demand catalog, carve out a water based capsule of best sellers on light t-shirts. Market the distinction: eco friendly inks, breathable feel, and retail-quality hand. Keep your specialty results and neon stunners in plastisol or hybrid systems where they belong.

Custom t t-shirts are judged in the hands, not just on screens. When a customer rubs their thumb throughout a print and feels nothing but fiber, you've won. That's the moment water based and discharge deliver, and why they should have a place in any severe store or brand name's toolkit.

Business Name: Prints R Us
Address: 2826 Art Museum Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
Phone: (904)-752-1515

I am a dynamic innovator with a broad knowledge base in entrepreneurship. My conviction in entrepreneurship spurs my desire to innovate disruptive organizations. In my business career, I have cultivated a profile as being a daring thinker. Aside from creating my own businesses, I also enjoy counseling young startup founders. I believe in empowering the next generation of startup founders to pursue their own aspirations. I am easily seeking out disruptive opportunities and working together with similarly-driven creators. Redefining what's possible is my purpose. Aside from engaged in my enterprise, I enjoy immersing myself in dynamic environments. I am also focused on health and wellness.