October 18, 2025

Beyond Fundamental 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 2 things in consistent tension: the push for softer, more breathable prints that individuals actually delight in wearing, and the need to produce at scale without compromising the environment or the bottom line. That stress has formed how I choose inks, pretreatments, and fabrics for custom-made clothing jobs. For many years, I've found out that water based inks and discharge printing are not simply buzzwords, they are useful tools that produce stunning outcomes and real comfort, specifically for T shirt printing that requires to stand up to daily wear.

If you run a brand, handle bulk t shirt orders, or just desire your individualized t-shirts to feel like a favorite from the very first wash, it's worth understanding how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they require care. The ideal option can make the difference between a shirt that gets worn when and one that ends up being the go-to.

What water based ink really is

Water based inks suspend pigments in water instead of in plasticizers and solvents. Unlike plastisol, which sits on top of the material and treatments into a film, water based inks soak up into the fibers. That single characteristic explains most of the benefits and compromises. Prints feel soft due to the fact that 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 frequently identical from the t-shirt itself. For custom t t-shirts designed for convenience, this is the path to the "retail feel" clients ask for.

There are two primary households: basic water based and discharge. Standard water based ink works best on white or very light shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the right base, but once you move into darker materials, you either need a heavier print or you change to discharge. Discharge printing uses an activator that raises the color from the material during curing, essentially bleaching the shirt's color in the printed locations, then replaces it with your pigment. The end result is the softest possible print on dark cotton, frequently with outstanding detail.

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

Eco friendly inks are not a marketing motto if you unpack the chemistry and the workflow. Water based inks generally contain fewer unpredictable organic substances than solvent-heavy alternatives and prevent PVC altogether. Numerous are compliant with strict standards like Oeko-Tex or meet retail screening programs that ban particular phthalates and heavy metals. If you offer custom-made apparel into business wellness programs, schools, or health-conscious brands, those certificates smooth procurement and keep you ahead of compliance.

That said, "eco friendly" is a system concept. Ink is one part. You likewise require to take a look at shop practices: filtering on your washout booth, reclaim chemistry, energy use on your dryer, and even material sourcing. Discharge needs an activator, typically based upon zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or similar substances, which has its own handling and ventilation needs. In a well-run store, exposure is managed and waste is caught. If you're using print as needed with a partner, ask how they handle discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and treating controls dialed in. Real sustainability hides in the details.

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

Most people do not purchase a graphic tee due to the fact that they like the ink. They purchase it since the garment looks excellent, feels great, and keeps that character after repeated washing. Water based inks, consisting of discharge, provide 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 sometimes obtain from heavy plastisol when you extend across the chest.

I keep a rack of comparison shirts in the studio. One from a surf brand name, 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 shirts kept moving. A plastisol sample with the exact same art looks glossier and still pops more under harsh light, which some streetwear clients prefer, however the user feedback corresponds: water based feels like a premium garment.

Color, coverage, and how expectations shape results

Color precision with water based inks is a matter of control, humidity, and the fabric's own dye. On white or heather light t-shirts, basic water based ink can hit tight Pantones with a determined ink mix and a clean mesh. On darker cotton, discharge adds variables. Various color lots discharge in a different way, even within the same brand name and color. Black 3001 blanks from one batch may lift to a warm charcoal, while the next batch clears to a cooler grey. The pigment you include guides 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's part of the medium. Many designers embrace the slightly vintage character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep instead of neon. If your brand name demands laser-precise color reproduction for corporate logos, either order test prints on the precise batch you plan to utilize or think about a water based underbase or hybrid method where required. For wholesale t shirts that will be distributed nationally, put example approvals into your process 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 perfectly. Carded open end cotton is scratchier and beverages ink unevenly. Blends complicate things. A 50/50 poly-cotton or a triblend with rayon can work with water based, but discharge just raises the cotton part. That suggests your color fills the cotton while the polyester and rayon remain as-is, often yielding a heathered or speckled print that looks intentional if you design for it. If your goal is flat, vibrant color on a poly mix, traditional plastisol or a specialized low-cure system might be smarter.

On all over print jobs, 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 irregular pressure that appear as blank micro-gaps. If you must print on ended up garments, anticipate small spaces along seams, which some clients like as part of the garment's character.

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

Water based inks behave differently on press. They dry much faster in the screen, which is useful on fabric however 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 service at hand, and keep the print space humidity in a stable variety, approximately 45 to 55 percent, to prevent early drying. Manual press operators will notice how rapidly a standard water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Vehicle presses, with flood bars and constant pace, reduce clogging.

Curing is where lots of beginners miss the mark. Water based inks require both heat and time for the water to evaporate, then for the binders to cross-link. A clothes dryer tunnel with sufficient airflow makes the difference. You desire even heat across the belt and sufficient dwell to reach the maker's remedy temperature level throughout the ink layer, not just at the surface. T-shirts leaving the tunnel must be dry to the touch with no cool spots. For discharge, the chemical reaction takes place throughout this remedy, and you will smell the activator. Good ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

Durability depends on correct remedy and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based Minimum order quantity print on cotton can last longer than the t-shirt. I measure resilience by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, tumble dry medium, then visual evaluation for fading and cracking. Water based prints show steady softening and a mild fade in the same way jeans relaxes. Plastisol's failure mode is different, usually breaking if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For customized t-shirts that need 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 pick which method

Costs differ regionally, but the economics fall under familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is typically similar to plastisol at the gallon level, but you invest more in store environment and drying capacity. On press, water based can be somewhat slower at setup since you pay closer attention to fit together, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. Once tuned, autos run at similar speeds. Where it really settles remains in perceived value. A soft print on a mid-tier blank frequently feels premium without jumping to the highest-cost t-shirt. Brand names can price accordingly.

For bulk t shirt orders above a few hundred pieces where the art fits the medium, discharge on one hundred percent cotton is a workhorse. For print as needed that needs overnight turnaround and art modifications continuously, direct-to-garment or DTF may be better operationally, though both have their own ecological and feel compromises. When you handle wholesale t shirts with several colorways and should keep stock versatile, a versatile water based scheme on light garments is efficient, because you avoid the weight and stiffness that build up with multiple underbases in plastisol.

Design options that bring out the very best in water based and discharge

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

Type weight matters. Very thin knockouts inside heavy flood locations can complete with discharge, specifically on high-absorbency cotton. If you require razor unfavorable area, different the art to print unfavorable shapes as positive strokes with a clear schedule for squeegee pressure and flashes. Ask your printer for an evidence on the actual garment instead of trusting a digital mockup. A mockup can not capture fiber interaction and color lift.

When you should state no to discharge

There are times I encourage against discharge. Polyester-rich garments are leading of the list. The activator can trigger dye migration, particularly with sublimated or cationic-dyed efficiency shirts, causing ghosting or brownish casts. Some garment dyes, particularly reactive black blends, withstand lifting, leaving a shadowed print that looks undercured even when it isn't. If a client is delicate to minor odor throughout curing, discharge days in the store are visible. Well-managed air flow alleviates this, but it is part of the process.

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

Practical workflow for brand names and creators

Whether you run your own presses or depend on a partner, set up a workflow that eliminates guesswork. An easy approach keeps surprises at bay and helps you hit due dates for launches and events.

  • Decide on material initially, then ink: choose 100 percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, high-quality cotton for standard water based. Avoid high poly unless the heathered impact is desired.
  • Request test prints on the precise blanks: one shirt per colorway is normally adequate to lock approvals, specifically for bulk t shirt orders where consistency matters.
  • Clarify color expectations in context: supply Pantone targets for light garments and explain appropriate varieties for dark discharge prints, with pictures of prior work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: suggest cold wash and low heat dry for consumers, then validate your treatment times so wash resilience matches the tag guidance.
  • Confirm environmental requirements: ask your printer about ink certifications, ventilation, and waste capture, especially if your brand name messaging leans into eco friendly inks.

How water based fits with print on demand

Print as needed has its own restrictions: fast art changes, little batch sizes, and the need for a broad color gamut. Direct-to-garment has actually become the default, however water based screen printing can fit POD if you organize brochure method. For designs that are high volume even at little everyday quantities, pre-burning screens and keeping a small stock of popular sizes lets you ship very same day with water based prints that feel better than lots of DTG outputs. It works finest when you keep art to one or two colors and choose light garments.

If your POD design relies 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 convenience and breathability are the selling points. Consumers who appreciate touch will notice.

Pricing, margins, and communicating value

When customers ask why a water based or discharge print costs more than a standard plastisol job, I describe what they are purchasing. They get the soft hand that retail consumers equate with quality, improved breathability, and compliance for sensitive buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the distinction for a basic three-color front hit might be modest, often a small uplift that can be reduced the effects of by selecting a somewhat more cost-effective blank. If the program is for wholesale t shirts going into boutiques or e-commerce at superior rate points, the improvement in perceived worth more than covers the change.

For customized shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, choices matter. Offer a base rate 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 expense, others for feel. Satisfying both lets you serve a wider market without diluting your craft.

Care instructions that customers really follow

Care labels often read like legal disclaimers. Keep it simple and practical so the t-shirt survives reality. Water based and discharge prints prefer cooler washes and lower dryer heat, however they will withstand regular laundering if effectively 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 stay crisp. The last note matters because some conditioners can transfer movies on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of great lines.

I have actually tested these instructions in-house: two similar shirts, one cleaned cold and dried low, the other washed warm and dried high. After 15 cycles, the warm/high tee revealed somewhat quicker fading of mid-tones, yet still looked excellent. That tolerance originates from correct treatment, not from babying the garment.

All over print concepts that do not combat the limitations

All over print captures attention, but printing flood coats on assembled garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Instead of combating joints, style for them. Use tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at joints, or use a ghosted grid that looks intentional when it breaks at hems. Alternatively, run panel printing and sew. Brands that offer minimal runs can justify cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the style necessitates it. The completed garments check out as customized from a distance, which is the goal.

A brief anecdote from a hectic season

One spring we ran a series for a regional music festival. The client wanted soft black tees with a sunburst print that felt like it lived in the fabric. We tested on three blacks from 2 mills. Batch one lifted easily with discharge, batch two stayed stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the artwork. 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 complete the response. The outcome: consistent 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 dish matters, however so does tasting and adjusting.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Most problems I see trace back to process, not the ink family. Under-curing is the very first culprit. Water based ink that feels dry can still be under-cured if the core of the print never hit the needed temperature for the best period. Use a donut probe or an embedded thermochromic strip to determine real ink film temperature, not just dryer setpoints. Screen lockup is the second. Keep a constant pace on press, flood between prints, and control shop humidity.

A 3rd pitfall is disregarding fabric variability. If you change blanks mid-run due to the fact that a size runs out stock, you may see shifts in color. Build contingency into your purchasing. For brands planning ahead, choosing a basic blank and locking it with your supplier reduces surprises.

Final assistance for picking your path

If your priority is soft, breathable customized apparel that consumers keep wearing, water based inks deserve the knowing curve. Usage basic water based on light garments for clean information and matte color. Move to discharge on 100 percent cotton when you want the softest prints on dark t-shirts. Accept and prepare for slight color difference with discharge, especially across dye lots. For bulk t t-shirt orders, build in a single round of physical sampling on the actual blanks you will utilize, then record your settings and keep back a recommendation shirt for quality control.

If you operate a print on demand catalog, take a water based capsule of finest 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 evaluated in the hands, not just on screens. When a customer rubs their thumb throughout a print and feels nothing but fiber, you have actually won. That's the minute water based and discharge deliver, and why they deserve a place in any major 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.