October 18, 2025

Beyond Standard 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 stress: the push for softer, more breathable prints that individuals really take pleasure in wearing, and the requirement to produce at scale without jeopardizing the environment or the bottom line. That tension has actually formed how I select inks, pretreatments, and materials for customized apparel jobs. For many years, I've learned that water based inks and discharge printing are not just buzzwords, they are useful tools that produce gorgeous results and real convenience, especially for T t-shirt printing that needs to withstand everyday wear.

If you run a brand, handle bulk t t-shirt orders, or just desire your individualized shirts to feel like a favorite from the first wash, it deserves understanding how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they need care. The ideal option can make the distinction between a shirt that gets used as soon as 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 remedies 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 cured PVC. Colors tend to look more matte and integrated. On light garments, the hand is frequently equivalent from the t-shirt itself. For customized t t-shirts developed for comfort, this is the course to the "retail feel" customers ask for.

There are two primary families: standard water based and discharge. Basic water based ink works best on white or extremely light t-shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the best base, once you move into darker fabrics, you either require a heavier print or you switch to release. Discharge printing uses an activator that lifts the dye from the material throughout treating, essentially whitening the t-shirt's dye in the printed locations, then changes it with your pigment. Completion outcome is the softest possible print on dark cotton, frequently with exceptional 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 usually contain less unpredictable natural substances than solvent-heavy alternatives and prevent PVC entirely. Lots of are certified with strict standards like Oeko-Tex or fulfill retail testing routines that prohibit particular phthalates and heavy metals. If you sell customized garments into business health cares, 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 also require to look at shop practices: filtration on your washout cubicle, recover chemistry, energy use on your clothes dryer, and even fabric sourcing. Discharge needs an activator, typically based on zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or similar substances, which has its own handling and ventilation requirements. In a well-run store, exposure is managed and waste is captured. If you're utilizing print on demand with a partner, ask how they deal with discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and curing controls dialed in. Genuine sustainability conceals in the details.

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

Most individuals do not buy a graphic tee due to the fact that they love the ink. They buy custom patches near me it due to the fact that the garment looks great, feels great, and keeps that character after duplicated cleaning. Water based inks, consisting of discharge, offer you that broken-in comfort from the first day. On a 100 percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and versatile. You will not hear the crackle you often obtain from heavy plastisol when you extend across the chest.

I keep a rack of comparison t-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 a lot more, the colors mellowed a little, and the t-shirts kept moving. A plastisol sample with the exact same art looks glossier and still pops more under harsh light, which some streetwear customers prefer, however the wearer feedback is consistent: water based feels like a premium garment.

Color, coverage, and how expectations shape results

Color accuracy with water based inks is a matter of control, humidity, and the material's own dye. On white or heather light shirts, basic water based ink can strike tight Pantones with a determined ink mix and a clean mesh. On darker cotton, discharge includes variables. Different dye lots discharge differently, even within the exact same brand 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 last color, however you're still working with a background that is shifting as the dye is removed.

That's not a defect, it's part of the medium. Many designers accept the a little vintage character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep instead of neon. If your brand demands laser-precise color reproduction for corporate logo designs, either order test prints on the precise batch you prepare to utilize or consider a water based underbase or hybrid technique where needed. For wholesale t shirts that will be distributed nationally, put swatch approvals into your procedure so there are not a surprises at scale.

Fabric matters more than the majority of people think

A water based print is a partnership 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 deal with water based, however discharge only lifts the cotton portion. That implies your color fills the cotton while the polyester and rayon stay as-is, typically 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, conventional 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, think about 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 must print on finished garments, expect small spaces along joints, which some clients 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 fabric but can lock a mesh if you stop briefly too long. Running a greater mesh for detail, say 230 to 305, keeps the deposit thin and crisp. Establish with a misting bottle or a dedicated screen rewetting solution at hand, and keep the print room humidity in a consistent range, approximately 45 to 55 percent, to prevent early drying. Manual press operators will observe how rapidly a standard water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Auto presses, with flood bars and constant pace, reduce clogging.

Curing is where numerous newbies fizzle. Water based inks need both heat and time for the water to evaporate, then for the binders to cross-link. A dryer tunnel with adequate airflow makes the difference. You want even heat throughout the belt and adequate dwell to reach the producer's remedy temperature throughout the ink layer, not just at the surface. Shirts exiting the tunnel must be dry to the touch with no cool areas. For discharge, the chain reaction occurs throughout this treatment, and you will smell the activator. Excellent ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

Durability depends upon proper treatment and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based print on cotton can outlast the t-shirt. I measure resilience by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, tumble dry medium, then visual inspection for fading and splitting. Water based prints show progressive softening and a gentle fade in the very same way denim relaxes. Plastisol's failure mode is different, usually breaking if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For customized t-shirts that require 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 select which method

Costs vary regionally, however the economics fall into familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is frequently comparable to plastisol at the gallon level, but you invest more in shop environment and drying capability. On press, water based can be a little slower at setup due to the fact that you pay closer attention to mesh, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. Once tuned, autos perform at similar speeds. Where it really pays off is in viewed worth. A soft print on a mid-tier blank typically feels premium without leaping to the highest-cost t-shirt. Brands can price accordingly.

For bulk t shirt orders above a couple of hundred pieces where the art fits the medium, discharge on 100 percent cotton is a workhorse. For print as needed that requires overnight turn-around and art modifications constantly, direct-to-garment or DTF might be better operationally, though both have their own environmental and feel trade-offs. When you handle wholesale t t-shirts with several colorways and should keep inventory flexible, a versatile water based scheme on light garments is effective, because you prevent the weight and tightness that accumulate with numerous underbases in plastisol.

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

Design preparation begins with the material color and ends with treating. On light shirts, lean into detail: thin lines, halftones, hand-drawn textures. Standard water based ink prints those with a delicacy 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. Extremely thin knockouts inside heavy flood areas can fill in 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 instead of relying on a digital mockup. A mockup can not record fiber interaction and dye lift.

When you ought to state no to discharge

There are times I recommend against discharge. Polyester-rich garments are leading of the list. The activator can cause dye migration, particularly with sublimated or cationic-dyed efficiency shirts, resulting in 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 visible. Well-managed airflow alleviates this, however 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, but the particles typically sink, and the result is more satin than real metal. For high-opacity neons on dark shirts that need to be billboard-bright, you may 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 depend on a partner, established a workflow that removes guesswork. An easy technique keeps surprises at bay and helps you struck due dates for launches and events.

  • Decide on fabric initially, then ink: choose 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 typically sufficient to lock approvals, particularly 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 prior work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: advise cold wash and low heat dry for customers, then verify your cure times so wash durability matches the tag guidance.
  • Confirm ecological requirements: ask your printer about ink accreditations, ventilation, and waste capture, particularly if your brand messaging leans into eco friendly inks.

How water based fits with print on demand

Print on demand has its own restrictions: quick art changes, little batch sizes, and the requirement for a broad color gamut. Direct-to-garment has become the default, but water based screen printing can fit POD if you arrange brochure technique. For styles that are high volume even at little day-to-day quantities, pre-burning screens and keeping a little stock of popular sizes lets you deliver same day with water based prints that feel much better than many DTG outputs. It works finest when you keep art to a couple of colors and select 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. Use it where cotton convenience and breathability are the selling points. Consumers who care about touch will notice.

Pricing, margins, and communicating value

When clients ask why DTG printing a water based or discharge print costs more than a standard plastisol job, I discuss what they are purchasing. They get the soft hand that retail clients equate with quality, enhanced breathability, and compliance for delicate buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the difference for a standard three-color front hit might be modest, frequently 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 premium price points, the enhancement in perceived worth more than covers the change.

For personalized t-shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, alternatives 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 expense, others for feel. Meeting both lets you serve a larger market without diluting your craft.

Care directions that clients in fact follow

Care labels frequently check out like legal disclaimers. Keep it easy and practical so the t-shirt makes it through real life. Water based and discharge prints choose cooler washes and lower clothes dryer heat, however they will endure regular laundering if effectively treated. I recommend phrasing care ideas in human terms on product pages: wash cold with similar colors, tumble dry low, avoid fabric softeners if you want colors to remain crisp. The last note matters because some conditioners can transfer movies on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of great lines.

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

All over print ideas that do not fight the limitations

All over print captures attention, however printing flood coats on assembled garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Instead of combating seams, design for them. Use tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at seams, or use a ghosted grid that looks intentional when it breaks at hems. Additionally, run panel printing and stitch. Brand names that sell limited runs can justify cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the design necessitates it. The completed garments read as custom from a distance, which is the goal.

A quick anecdote from a hectic 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 fabric. We sampled on 3 blacks from 2 mills. Batch one raised easily with discharge, batch 2 remained stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the artwork. We logged color lot numbers, rotated the ink mix by including a touch more white pigment to compensate, and changed dwell time by 10 to 15 seconds to complete the reaction. The result: consistent tees throughout 2,400 systems, each with a soft, breathable print that offered out by day two.

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

Common risks and how to avoid them

Most problems I see trace back to procedure, not the ink household. 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 struck the needed temperature for the best duration. Utilize a donut probe or an ingrained thermochromic strip to determine real ink movie temperature level, not simply clothes dryer setpoints. Screen lockup is the 2nd. Keep a consistent speed on press, flood between prints, and control shop humidity.

A 3rd pitfall is ignoring material irregularity. If you switch blanks mid-run because a size is out of stock, you may see shifts in color. Build contingency into your purchasing. For brands preparing ahead, picking a standard blank and locking it with your supplier decreases surprises.

Final guidance for picking your path

If your concern is soft, breathable custom-made apparel that customers keep using, water based inks deserve the learning curve. Usage basic water based upon light garments for tidy information and matte color. Transfer to release on 100 percent cotton when you want the softest prints on dark t-shirts. Accept and plan for slight color variance with discharge, specifically throughout color lots. For bulk t shirt orders, integrate in a single round of physical tasting on the actual blanks you will use, then document your settings and keep back a referral shirt for quality control.

If you run a print as needed catalog, take a water based capsule of best sellers on light shirts. Market the difference: 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 evaluated in the hands, not just on screens. When a consumer rubs their thumb across a print and feels absolutely nothing but fiber, you've won. That's the moment water based and discharge deliver, and why they are worthy of a place in any serious store or brand'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.