October 18, 2025

Beyond Fundamental Tees: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Water-Based Inks and Discharge Printing for Customized 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 people really delight in wearing, and the need to produce at scale without jeopardizing the environment or the bottom line. That tension has shaped how I choose inks, pretreatments, and materials for custom-made apparel jobs. For many years, I've discovered that water based inks and discharge printing are not simply buzzwords, they are useful tools that produce stunning outcomes and real convenience, particularly for T shirt printing that requires to withstand everyday wear.

If you run a brand name, handle bulk t t-shirt orders, or simply want your individualized t-shirts to seem like a preferred from the first wash, it deserves comprehending how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they require care. The ideal choice can make the difference between a shirt that gets used once 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 remedies into a film, water based inks absorb into the fibers. That single particular discusses the majority of the advantages 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 often indistinguishable from the shirt itself. For custom t t-shirts created for convenience, this is the course to the "retail feel" customers ask for.

There are two primary households: standard water based and discharge. Basic water based ink works best on white or very light shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the right base, once you move into darker materials, you either need a much heavier print or you change to release. Release printing utilizes an activator that lifts the color from the fabric during treating, essentially bleaching the t-shirt's dye in the printed areas, then changes it with your pigment. The end outcome is the softest possible print on dark cotton, typically with outstanding detail.

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

Eco friendly inks are not a marketing slogan if you unpack the chemistry and the workflow. Water based inks generally include less volatile organic substances than solvent-heavy alternatives and prevent PVC completely. Numerous are compliant with stringent requirements like Oeko-Tex or fulfill retail screening programs that prohibit certain phthalates and heavy metals. If you offer custom-made clothing into business health cares, schools, or health-conscious brand names, those certificates smooth procurement and keep you ahead of compliance.

That stated, "eco friendly" is a system idea. Ink is one part. You also need to look at shop practices: filtering on your washout cubicle, recover chemistry, energy usage on your dryer, and even fabric sourcing. Discharge requires an activator, typically based on zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or comparable substances, which has its own handling and ventilation needs. In a well-run store, direct exposure is controlled and waste is recorded. If you're using print as needed with a partner, ask how they manage discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and treating controls dialed in. Genuine sustainability hides in the details.

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

Most people do not buy a graphic tee due to the fact that they love the ink. They buy it because the white ink underbase garment looks good, feels excellent, and keeps that character after repeated washing. Water based inks, including discharge, provide you that broken-in convenience from day one. On an one hundred percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and flexible. You will not hear the crackle you often get from heavy plastisol when you extend throughout the chest.

I keep a shelf of comparison shirts in the studio. One from a browse 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 slightly, and the shirts kept moving. A plastisol sample with the exact same art looks glossier and still pops more under extreme light, which some streetwear clients choose, however the user feedback is consistent: water based seems 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 dye. On white or heather light t-shirts, standard water based ink can hit tight Pantones with a measured ink mix and a clean mesh. On darker cotton, discharge includes variables. Different color lots discharge in a different way, even within the very 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 guides the final color, but you're still dealing with a background that is moving as the color is removed.

That's not a defect, it belongs to the medium. Lots of designers welcome the a little classic character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep instead of neon. If your brand name demands laser-precise color reproduction for business logo designs, either order test prints on the precise batch you prepare to utilize or consider a water based underbase or hybrid approach where needed. For wholesale t shirts that will be dispersed nationally, put swatch approvals into your process so there are not a 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 beverages ink unevenly. Blends complicate things. A 50/50 poly-cotton or a triblend with rayon can deal with water based, but discharge only lifts the cotton portion. That means 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 style for it. If your objective is flat, brilliant color on a poly blend, standard 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 finished tees presents joints, folds, and inconsistent pressure that appear as blank micro-gaps. If you must print on finished garments, anticipate small voids along joints, 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 material but can lock a mesh if you pause too long. Running a greater mesh for detail, state 230 to 305, keeps the deposit thin and crisp. Set up with a misting bottle or a dedicated screen rewetting option at hand, and keep the print room humidity in a constant range, approximately 45 to 55 percent, to prevent early drying. Manual press operators will observe how rapidly a basic water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Car presses, with flood bars and constant speed, reduce clogging.

Curing is where lots of beginners fizzle. Water based inks need both heat and time for the water to vaporize, then for the binders to cross-link. A clothes dryer tunnel with enough airflow makes the difference. You desire even heat throughout the belt and enough dwell to reach the manufacturer's remedy temperature throughout the ink layer, not just at the surface. Shirts leaving the tunnel ought to be dry to the touch without any cool spots. For discharge, the chain reaction takes place throughout this treatment, and you will smell the activator. Good ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

Durability depends on proper cure and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based print on cotton can last longer than the t-shirt. I measure durability by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, topple dry medium, then visual examination for fading and cracking. Water based prints show gradual softening and a mild fade in the same method denim relaxes. Plastisol's failure mode is various, typically splitting if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For tailored t-shirts that need to look proficient at a household reunion and still remain in rotation next summer, water based holds up when produced correctly.

Cost, throughput, and when to choose which method

Costs vary regionally, but the economics fall under familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is frequently comparable to plastisol at the gallon level, but you invest more in shop environment and drying capacity. On press, water based can be somewhat slower at setup due to the fact that you pay closer attention to fit together, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. Once tuned, cars perform at comparable speeds. Where it truly settles is in perceived value. A soft print on a mid-tier blank frequently feels premium without leaping to the highest-cost t-shirt. Brands can price accordingly.

For bulk t shirt orders above a few hundred pieces where the art fits the medium, discharge on 100 percent cotton is a workhorse. For print as needed that needs over night turn-around and art modifications constantly, direct-to-garment or DTF may be much better operationally, though both have their own environmental and feel compromises. When you handle wholesale t shirts with numerous colorways and need to keep inventory versatile, a versatile water based combination on light garments is effective, considering that you avoid the weight and tightness that accumulate with several underbases in plastisol.

Design options that highlight the best in water based and discharge

Design planning starts with the material color and ends with treating. On light shirts, lean into information: thin lines, halftones, hand-drawn textures. Standard 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. Think about how the shirt color looks 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 fill in with discharge, specifically on high-absorbency cotton. If you require razor unfavorable space, different 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 rather than trusting a digital mockup. A mockup can not record fiber interplay and dye lift.

When you ought to say no to discharge

There are times I recommend versus discharge. Polyester-rich garments are leading of the list. The activator can cause color migration, particularly with sublimated or cationic-dyed efficiency shirts, causing ghosting or brownish casts. Some garment dyes, especially reactive black blends, resist lifting, leaving a shadowed print that looks undercured even when it isn't. If a client is delicate to small smell during treating, discharge days in the shop are visible. Well-managed air flow alleviates this, but it becomes part of the process.

If a client requires metallics, puff, or specialized textures, plastisol or hybrid systems still own that area. Water based metallics exist, however the particles often sink, and the impact is more satin than real metal. For high-opacity neons on dark t-shirts that must be billboard-bright, you may require 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 rely on a partner, established a workflow that gets rid of uncertainty. A simple method keeps surprises at bay and assists you hit deadlines for launches and events.

  • Decide on material initially, then ink: choose 100 percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, top quality cotton for basic water based. Avoid high poly unless the heathered impact is desired.
  • Request test prints on the precise blanks: one shirt per colorway is usually enough to lock approvals, particularly for bulk t shirt orders where consistency matters.
  • Clarify color expectations in context: offer Pantone targets for light garments and describe acceptable varieties for dark discharge prints, with images of prior work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: advise cold wash and low heat dry for consumers, then confirm your cure times so clean resilience 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 as needed has its own restrictions: quick art modifications, small batch sizes, and the need for a broad color range. Direct-to-garment has ended up being the default, but water based screen printing can fit POD if you organize catalog strategy. 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 same day with water based prints that feel better than numerous DTG outputs. It works best when you keep art to one or two colors and choose light garments.

If your POD design depends 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. Clients who appreciate touch will notice.

Pricing, margins, and interacting value

When clients ask why a water based or discharge print costs more than a basic plastisol job, I discuss what they are buying. They get the soft hand that retail customers relate with quality, improved breathability, and compliance for sensitive buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the difference for a standard three-color front hit might be modest, often a little uplift that can be reduced the effects of by picking a slightly more cost-effective blank. If the program is for wholesale t shirts going into shops or e-commerce at superior cost points, the enhancement in perceived value more than covers the change.

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

Care guidelines that consumers actually follow

Care labels frequently read like legal disclaimers. Keep it easy and reasonable so the shirt survives real life. Water based and discharge prints choose cooler washes and lower dryer heat, however they will sustain normal laundering if properly cured. I suggest phrasing care pointers in human terms on product pages: wash cold with comparable colors, tumble dry low, prevent material softeners if you desire colors to stay crisp. The last note matters due to the fact that some conditioners can deposit movies on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of fine lines.

I have actually checked these directions in-house: 2 identical shirts, one cleaned cold and dried low, the other washed warm and dried high. After 15 cycles, the warm/high tee showed slightly faster fading of mid-tones, yet still looked great. That tolerance comes from correct remedy, not from babying the garment.

All over print ideas 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. Rather of battling joints, style for them. Usage tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at seams, or apply a ghosted grid that looks deliberate when it breaks at hems. Additionally, run panel printing and stitch. Brands that sell limited runs can justify cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the design necessitates it. The completed garments check out as custom-made from a range, which is the goal.

A brief anecdote from a busy season

One spring we ran a series for a regional music celebration. The client desired soft black tees with a sunburst print that seemed like it lived in the material. We sampled on three blacks from 2 mills. Batch one raised easily with discharge, batch two stayed stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the artwork. We logged dye lot numbers, rotated the ink mix by adding a touch more white pigment to compensate, and changed dwell time by 10 to 15 seconds to complete the response. The outcome: constant tees across 2,400 systems, each with a soft, breathable print that offered out by day two.

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

Common risks and how to avoid them

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

A third risk is disregarding fabric irregularity. If you switch blanks mid-run because a size runs out stock, you might see shifts in color. Develop contingency into your buying. For brand names planning ahead, picking a standard blank and locking it with your supplier decreases surprises.

Final assistance for choosing your path

If your concern is soft, breathable custom clothing that clients keep wearing, water based inks deserve the knowing curve. Use standard water based upon light garments for tidy information and matte color. Relocate to discharge on one hundred percent cotton when you desire the softest prints on dark shirts. Accept and prepare for slight color variance with discharge, specifically throughout dye lots. For bulk t t-shirt orders, integrate in a single round of physical sampling on the real blanks you will utilize, then record your settings and hold back a recommendation shirt for quality control.

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

Custom t shirts are judged in the hands, not simply on screens. When a client rubs their thumb across a print and feels absolutely nothing however fiber, you've won. That's the minute water based and discharge provide, and why they should have a place in any major shop 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.