October 18, 2025

Beyond Basic Tees: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Water-Based Inks and Discharge Printing for Custom-made 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 continuous tension: the push for softer, more breathable prints that individuals actually enjoy using, and the requirement to produce at scale without jeopardizing the environment or the bottom line. That tension has shaped how I pick inks, pretreatments, and materials for customized apparel projects. For many years, I've learned that water based inks and discharge printing are not simply buzzwords, they are useful tools that produce stunning outcomes and genuine comfort, specifically for T t-shirt printing that needs to stand up to everyday wear.

If you run a brand, manage bulk t shirt orders, or just desire your individualized t-shirts to seem like a preferred from the first wash, it's worth understanding how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they need care. The ideal option can make the difference in between a shirt that gets worn when and one that becomes 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 treatments into a movie, water based inks take in into the fibers. That single particular discusses the majority of the benefits and compromises. Prints feel soft since you're touching the cotton, not a layer of treated PVC. Colors tend to look more matte and incorporated. On light garments, the hand is typically identical from the t-shirt itself. For customized t shirts developed for comfort, this is the course to the "retail feel" clients ask for.

There are 2 main families: standard water based and discharge. Basic water based ink works best on white or really light t-shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the best base, once you move into darker fabrics, you either require a much heavier print or you switch to discharge. Release printing uses an activator that raises the color from the fabric throughout treating, basically bleaching the shirt's dye in the printed locations, then replaces it with your pigment. The end outcome is the softest possible print on dark cotton, frequently with exceptional detail.

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

Eco friendly inks are not a marketing motto if you unpack the chemistry and the workflow. Water based inks normally include less volatile organic compounds than solvent-heavy options and prevent PVC altogether. Lots of are compliant with strict requirements like Oeko-Tex or meet retail screening programs that prohibit certain phthalates and heavy metals. If you sell custom-made garments into business 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 principle. Ink is one part. You likewise need to take a look at store practices: filtration on your washout booth, reclaim chemistry, energy usage on your clothes dryer, and even material sourcing. Discharge needs an activator, normally based upon zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or comparable substances, which has its own handling and ventilation needs. In a well-run shop, exposure is controlled and waste is captured. If you're using print on demand with a partner, ask how they manage discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and treating controls dialed in. Real sustainability hides in the details.

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

Most individuals do not buy a graphic tee because they love the ink. They buy it due to the fact that the garment looks great, feels great, and keeps that character after duplicated washing. Water based inks, including discharge, give you that broken-in convenience from the first day. On a 100 percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and flexible. You will not hear the crackle you often receive from heavy plastisol when you stretch across the chest.

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

Color, coverage, and how expectations form results

Color precision with water based inks is a matter of control, humidity, and the fabric's own color. On white or heather light t-shirts, standard water based ink can hit tight Pantones with a determined ink mix and a tidy mesh. On darker cotton, discharge adds variables. Different color lots discharge differently, even within the exact same brand and color. Black 3001 blanks from one batch may raise to a warm charcoal, while the next batch clears to a cooler grey. The pigment you include steers the last color, however you're still dealing with a background that is shifting as the dye is removed.

That's not a defect, it becomes part of the medium. Lots of designers accept the a little classic character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep instead of neon. If your brand needs laser-precise color reproduction for corporate logos, either order test prints on the exact batch you prepare to use or think about a water based underbase or hybrid technique where required. For wholesale t t-shirts that will be dispersed nationally, put example approvals into your procedure so there are no surprises at scale.

Fabric matters more than the majority of people think

A water based print is a collaboration 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 deal with water based, but discharge just raises the cotton portion. That indicates your color fills the cotton while the polyester and rayon stay as-is, often yielding a heathered or speckled print that looks deliberate if you style for it. If your objective is flat, brilliant color on a poly blend, standard plastisol or a specialized low-cure system might be smarter.

On all over print jobs, such as a seam-to-seam tonal personalized gifts pattern behind a chest graphic, consider cut-and-sew with water based prints on panels before assembly. Garment printing all over on completed tees presents joints, folds, and irregular pressure that appear as blank micro-gaps. If you need to print on ended up garments, anticipate small voids along seams, which some clients like as part of the garment's character.

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

Water based inks act differently on press. They dry quicker in the screen, which works 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. Establish with a misting bottle or a devoted screen rewetting option at hand, and keep the print space humidity in a stable variety, roughly 45 to 55 percent, to prevent premature drying. Manual press operators will see how rapidly a basic water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Vehicle presses, with flood bars and consistent rate, decrease clogging.

Curing is where numerous novices miss the mark. Water based inks need both heat and time for the water to evaporate, then for the binders to cross-link. A clothes dryer tunnel with adequate air flow makes the distinction. You desire even heat across the belt and sufficient dwell to reach the maker's treatment temperature level throughout the ink layer, not just at the surface. T-shirts leaving the tunnel should be dry to the touch without any cool areas. For discharge, the chemical reaction takes place during this remedy, and you will smell the activator. Good ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

Durability depends on appropriate remedy and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based print on cotton can last longer than the t-shirt. I determine toughness by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, tumble dry medium, then visual examination for fading and breaking. Water based prints reveal gradual softening and a gentle fade in the exact same way jeans relaxes. Plastisol's failure mode is different, typically breaking if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For personalized shirts that require to look good at a household reunion and still remain in rotation next summer season, water based holds up when produced correctly.

Cost, throughput, and when to select which method

Costs differ regionally, but the economics fall into familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is frequently 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 because you pay closer attention to mesh, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. When tuned, cars perform at similar speeds. Where it really settles is in perceived worth. A soft print on a mid-tier blank often feels premium without jumping to the highest-cost t-shirt. Brand names can price accordingly.

For bulk t t-shirt orders above a few hundred pieces where the art fits the medium, discharge on 100 percent cotton is a workhorse. For print on demand that needs over night turn-around and art modifications constantly, direct-to-garment or DTF might be better operationally, though both have their own ecological and feel trade-offs. When you take on wholesale t t-shirts with numerous colorways and must keep inventory versatile, a versatile water based combination on light garments is effective, since you avoid the weight and stiffness that accumulate with numerous underbases in plastisol.

Design choices that draw out the very best in water based and discharge

Design preparation starts with the material color and ends with treating. On light shirts, lean into detail: thin lines, halftones, hand-drawn textures. Basic water based ink prints those with a special that plastisol tends to subdue. On dark cotton, discharge shines with mid-tone richness and soft edges. Consider how the shirt color looks through. A charcoal heather with a discharge cream graphic looks like it grew there.

Type weight matters. Really thin knockouts inside heavy flood areas can fill out with discharge, particularly on high-absorbency cotton. If you need razor negative space, different the art to print negative shapes as positive strokes with a clear schedule for squeegee pressure and flashes. Ask your printer for a proof on the real garment rather than trusting a digital mockup. A mockup can not record fiber interplay and color lift.

When you need to say no to discharge

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

If a customer needs metallics, puff, or specialized textures, plastisol or hybrid systems still own that area. Water based metallics exist, but the particles typically sink, and the impact is more satin than true metal. For high-opacity neons on dark t-shirts that need to be billboard-bright, you might need 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, set up a workflow that eliminates guesswork. A simple approach keeps surprises at bay and helps you hit deadlines for launches and events.

  • Decide on fabric initially, then ink: pick 100 percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, premium cotton for basic water based. Avoid high poly unless the heathered result is desired.
  • Request test prints on the exact blanks: one t-shirt per colorway is normally enough to lock approvals, especially for bulk t t-shirt orders where consistency matters.
  • Clarify color expectations in context: offer Pantone targets for light garments and explain appropriate ranges for dark discharge prints, with images of previous work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: advise cold wash and low heat dry for clients, then validate your treatment times so wash toughness matches the tag guidance.
  • Confirm ecological standards: ask your printer about ink accreditations, ventilation, and waste capture, particularly if your brand name messaging leans into eco friendly inks.

How water based fits with print on demand

Print on demand has its own restrictions: quick art modifications, little batch sizes, and the requirement for a broad color range. Direct-to-garment has actually become the default, but water based screen printing can fit POD if you organize brochure method. For styles that are high volume even at little daily amounts, pre-burning screens and keeping a little stock of popular sizes lets you ship very same day with water based prints that feel much better than numerous DTG outputs. It works best when you keep art to one or two colors and select 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. Use it where cotton convenience and breathability are the selling points. Clients who care about touch will notice.

Pricing, margins, and communicating value

When clients ask why a water based or discharge print costs more than a standard plastisol job, I explain what they are buying. They get the soft hand that retail consumers relate with quality, improved breathability, and compliance for sensitive buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the difference for a basic three-color front hit may be modest, frequently a small uplift that can be neutralized by picking a slightly more economical blank. If the program is for wholesale t t-shirts entering into stores or e-commerce at superior rate points, the improvement in perceived value more than covers the change.

For individualized t-shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, options matter. Deal a base price with plastisol on midweight cotton, then a "comfort upgrade" that includes a ringspun blank with water based ink. You will see a clear split: some customers optimize for expense, others for feel. Satisfying both lets you serve a larger market without diluting your craft.

Care instructions that customers in fact follow

Care labels frequently read like legal disclaimers. Keep it basic and realistic so the shirt endures reality. Water based and discharge prints prefer cooler washes and lower clothes dryer heat, but they will withstand regular laundering if correctly treated. I suggest phrasing care ideas in human terms on product pages: wash cold with comparable colors, topple dry low, avoid material conditioners if you desire colors to remain crisp. The last note matters because some softeners can transfer films on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of great lines.

I have actually tested these directions in-house: two similar 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 great. That tolerance originates from proper cure, not from babying the garment.

All over print concepts that do not battle the limitations

All over print catches attention, but printing flood coats on put together garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Instead of fighting joints, design 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. Alternatively, run panel printing and sew. Brand names that sell restricted runs can validate cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the style warrants it. The completed garments read as customized from a distance, which is the goal.

A quick anecdote from a busy season

One spring we ran a series for a local music festival. The customer desired soft black tees with a sunburst print that seemed like it lived in the material. We tested on three blacks from two mills. Batch one lifted cleanly with discharge, batch 2 remained stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the art work. We logged dye lot numbers, pivoted the ink mix by adding a touch more white pigment to compensate, and adjusted dwell time by 10 to 15 seconds to complete the reaction. The outcome: constant tees throughout 2,400 systems, each with a soft, breathable print that sold out by day two.

That task taught the crew to treat discharge like cooking, not chemistry on a chalkboard. The recipe matters, however so does tasting and adjusting.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Most issues I see trace back to procedure, not the ink family. Under-curing is the first culprit. Water based ink that feels dry can still be under-cured if the core of the print never struck the needed temperature for the best period. Utilize a donut probe or an ingrained thermochromic strip to measure true ink film temperature level, not just dryer setpoints. Screen lockup is the 2nd. Keep a consistent speed on press, flood between prints, and control store humidity.

A third pitfall is disregarding material variability. If you change blanks mid-run since a size is out of stock, you may see shifts in color. Build contingency into your purchasing. For brand names planning ahead, choosing a basic blank and locking it with your provider decreases surprises.

Final assistance for selecting your path

If your concern is soft, breathable custom garments that clients keep using, water based inks deserve the learning curve. Usage standard water based upon light garments for clean information and matte color. Relocate to release on 100 percent cotton when you want the softest prints on dark shirts. Accept and prepare for small color difference with discharge, particularly throughout dye lots. For bulk t shirt orders, build in a single round of physical tasting on the real blanks you will utilize, then document your settings and keep back a recommendation shirt for quality control.

If you operate a print as needed brochure, take a water based pill of best sellers on light t-shirts. Market the distinction: eco friendly inks, breathable feel, and retail-quality hand. Keep your specialized effects and neon stunners in plastisol or hybrid systems where they belong.

Custom t t-shirts are judged in the hands, not simply on screens. When a client rubs their thumb across a print and feels nothing however fiber, you have actually won. That's the moment water based and discharge provide, and why they deserve 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.