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.
2826 Art Museum Dr, Jacksonville, 32207, US
Business Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 09:00–17:00
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Follow Us:
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 printing shop that takes its craft seriously, and you will see two things in constant tension: the push for softer, more breathable prints that individuals in fact take pleasure in using, and the requirement to produce at scale without jeopardizing the environment or the bottom line. That tension has actually shaped how I pick inks, pretreatments, and materials for custom-made clothing jobs. For many years, I have actually found out that water based inks and discharge printing are not just buzzwords, they are practical tools that produce lovely results and genuine comfort, especially for T t-shirt printing that requires to withstand everyday wear.
If you run a brand, handle https://www.facebook.com/theprintsrus bulk t shirt orders, or simply desire your individualized t-shirts to seem like a favorite from the very first wash, it deserves understanding how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they require care. The ideal option can make the difference in between a t-shirt that gets worn as soon as and one that ends up being the go-to.
What water based ink actually is
Water based inks suspend pigments in water instead of in plasticizers and solvents. Unlike plastisol, which sits on top of the material and cures into a film, water based inks take in into the fibers. That single particular describes the majority of the advantages and trade-offs. Prints feel soft due to the fact that you're touching the cotton, not a layer of cured 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 t-shirts created for convenience, this is the path 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 very light t-shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the right base, once you move into darker fabrics, you either need a much heavier print or you switch to release. Release printing uses an activator that raises the color from the material during treating, essentially whitening the shirt's color in the printed areas, then replaces it with your pigment. Completion outcome is the softest possible print on dark cotton, often with impressive 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 typically consist of less unpredictable organic substances than solvent-heavy alternatives and prevent PVC completely. Numerous are certified with stringent requirements like Oeko-Tex or satisfy retail screening routines that ban certain phthalates and heavy metals. If you sell custom-made apparel into corporate health cares, schools, or health-conscious brands, 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 cubicle, recover chemistry, energy usage on your dryer, and even fabric sourcing. Discharge requires an activator, usually based on zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or similar substances, which has its own handling and ventilation requirements. In a well-run shop, direct exposure is managed and waste is caught. 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 called in. Genuine sustainability conceals in the details.
Hand feel, breathability, and the "preferred tee" factor
Most individuals do not buy a graphic tee due to the fact that they love the ink. They purchase it since the garment looks excellent, feels excellent, and keeps that character after duplicated cleaning. Water based inks, consisting of discharge, give you that broken-in comfort from the first day. On an one hundred percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and flexible. You will not hear the crackle you sometimes obtain from heavy plastisol when you stretch throughout the chest.
I keep a shelf 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 even more, the colors mellowed somewhat, and the shirts kept moving. A plastisol sample with the same art looks glossier and still pops more under harsh light, which some streetwear customers choose, however the user feedback is consistent: water based feels like a premium garment.
Color, protection, and how expectations shape results
Color accuracy with water based inks refers control, humidity, and the material's own color. On white or heather light t-shirts, basic water based ink can hit tight Pantones with a determined ink mix and a tidy mesh. On darker cotton, discharge adds variables. Various dye lots discharge in a different way, even within the same brand name 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 add steers the final color, but you're still dealing with a background that is shifting as the color is removed.
That's not a flaw, it belongs to the medium. Numerous 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 recreation for business logos, either order test prints on the precise batch you plan to use or consider a water based underbase or hybrid technique where required. For wholesale t t-shirts that will be distributed nationally, put example approvals into your procedure so there are not a surprises at scale.
Fabric matters more than most people think
A water based print is a collaboration in between ink and fiber. Ringspun cotton takes ink beautifully. Carded open end cotton is scratchier and drinks ink unevenly. Blends complicate things. A 50/50 poly-cotton or a triblend with rayon can deal with water based, but discharge just raises the cotton part. That means your color fills the cotton while the polyester and rayon remain as-is, frequently yielding a heathered or speckled print that looks intentional if you design for it. If your goal is flat, brilliant color on a poly mix, standard plastisol or a specialized low-cure system may be smarter.
On all over print tasks, 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 introduces seams, folds, and inconsistent pressure that appear as blank micro-gaps. If you must print on completed garments, expect little spaces along seams, which some customers 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 pause 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 devoted screen rewetting service at hand, and keep the print room humidity in a constant range, roughly 45 to 55 percent, to avoid premature drying. Manual press operators will observe how quickly a basic water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Vehicle presses, with flood bars and constant rate, lower clogging.
Curing is where numerous 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 dryer tunnel with adequate airflow makes the distinction. You want even heat throughout the belt and enough dwell to reach the maker's remedy temperature throughout the ink layer, not just at the surface area. T-shirts leaving the tunnel needs to be dry to the touch with no cool spots. For discharge, the chain reaction takes place throughout this treatment, and you will smell the activator. Excellent ventilation is non-negotiable.
Durability and wash testing
Durability depends on proper treatment and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based print on cotton can outlive the shirt. I determine toughness by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, topple dry medium, then visual inspection for fading and cracking. Water based prints show steady softening and a mild fade in the same way denim unwinds. Plastisol's failure mode is different, normally splitting if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For personalized shirts that need to look proficient at a household reunion and still be in rotation next summer, water based holds up when produced correctly.
Cost, throughput, and when to pick 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, however you invest more in shop environment and drying capability. On press, water based can be slightly slower at setup because you pay closer attention to fit together, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. As soon as tuned, vehicles run at comparable speeds. Where it truly settles remains in perceived value. A soft print on a mid-tier blank typically feels premium without leaping to the highest-cost shirt. Brand names 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 turnaround and art changes 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 shirts with several colorways and need to keep inventory flexible, a versatile water based palette on light garments is effective, because you prevent the weight and stiffness that accumulate with several underbases in plastisol.
Design choices that draw out the very best in water based and discharge
Design preparation begins with the fabric 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 subdue. On dark cotton, discharge shines with mid-tone richness and soft edges. Consider how the shirt color glances 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 negative space, different the art to print unfavorable shapes as favorable strokes with a clear schedule for squeegee pressure and flashes. Ask your printer for an evidence on the actual garment rather than relying on a digital mockup. A mockup can not catch fiber interplay 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, specifically with sublimated or cationic-dyed performance 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 client is delicate to small smell throughout curing, discharge days in the store are visible. Well-managed airflow mitigates this, but it is part of the process.
If a client requires metallics, puff, or specialized textures, plastisol or hybrid systems still own that space. Water based metallics exist, however the particles frequently sink, and the result is more satin than true metal. For high-opacity neons on dark shirts that need to 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 depend on a partner, established a workflow that eliminates uncertainty. A basic approach keeps surprises at bay and assists you struck deadlines for launches and events.
Decide on fabric first, then ink: choose 100 percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, premium cotton for standard water based. Prevent high poly unless the heathered impact is desired. Request test prints on the exact blanks: one t-shirt per colorway is generally enough to lock approvals, especially for bulk t t-shirt orders where consistency matters. Clarify color expectations in context: provide 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: suggest cold wash and low heat dry for consumers, then validate your remedy times so clean sturdiness matches the tag guidance. Confirm environmental 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 as needed has its own restrictions: quick art modifications, little batch sizes, and the need for a broad color range. Direct-to-garment has ended up being the default, however water based screen printing can fit POD if you arrange brochure method. For designs that are high volume even at small daily amounts, pre-burning screens and keeping a small stock of popular sizes lets you ship exact same day with water based prints that feel much better than many DTG outputs. It works finest when you keep art to one or two colors and choose light garments.
If your POD model counts on all over print sublimation for polyester garments, water based screen printing is not a replacement, it is a parallel offering. Utilize it where cotton comfort and breathability are the selling points. Consumers who care about touch will notice.
Pricing, margins, and communicating value
When clients ask why a water based or discharge print costs more than a fundamental plastisol job, I discuss what they are buying. They get the soft hand that retail consumers relate with quality, enhanced breathability, and compliance for sensitive buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the difference for a basic three-color front hit might be modest, typically a little uplift that can be neutralized by picking a slightly more affordable blank. If the program is for wholesale t shirts entering into stores or e-commerce at superior cost points, the improvement in perceived value more than covers the change.
For personalized t-shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, choices matter. Deal a base cost with plastisol on midweight cotton, then a "comfort upgrade" that consists of a ringspun blank with water based ink. You will see a clear split: some clients enhance for cost, others for feel. Fulfilling both lets you serve a larger market without diluting your craft.
Care instructions that customers actually follow
Care labels typically check out like legal disclaimers. Keep it basic and reasonable 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 normal laundering if properly cured. I suggest phrasing care pointers in human terms on item pages: wash cold with comparable colors, tumble dry low, avoid fabric conditioners if you want colors to remain crisp. The last note matters because some conditioners can deposit films on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of fine lines.
I have actually checked these instructions in-house: 2 identical shirts, one washed cold and dried low, the other washed warm and dried high. After 15 cycles, the warm/high tee showed a little faster fading of mid-tones, yet still looked excellent. That tolerance originates from proper remedy, not from babying the garment.
All over print concepts that do not combat the limitations
All over print captures attention, however printing flood coats on put together garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Rather of fighting joints, style for them. Usage tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at joints, or apply a ghosted grid that looks intentional when it breaks at hems. Additionally, run panel printing and stitch. Brand names that sell minimal runs can justify cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the design requires it. The ended up garments read as customized from a distance, which is the goal.
A short anecdote from a hectic season
One spring we ran a series for a local music festival. The customer desired soft black tees with a sunburst print that felt like it lived in the material. We sampled on three blacks from two mills. Batch one lifted easily with discharge, batch two stayed stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the art work. We logged dye lot numbers, rotated the ink mix by adding a touch more white pigment to compensate, and adjusted dwell time by 10 to 15 seconds to finish the response. The result: consistent tees throughout 2,400 systems, each with a soft, breathable print that offered out by day two.
That task taught the crew to deal with discharge like cooking, not chemistry on a chalkboard. The dish matters, however so does tasting and adjusting.
Common mistakes and how to prevent them
Most problems I see trace back to procedure, not the ink family. 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 ever struck the required temp for the ideal period. Utilize a donut probe or an embedded thermochromic strip to measure true ink film temperature level, not just clothes dryer setpoints. Screen lockup is the 2nd. Keep a consistent speed on press, flood in between prints, and control shop humidity.
A third risk is overlooking fabric irregularity. If you switch blanks mid-run due to the fact that a size is out of stock, you may see shifts in color. Develop contingency into your purchasing. For brands planning ahead, picking a standard blank and locking it with your provider lowers surprises.
Final guidance for picking your path
If your priority is soft, breathable custom-made garments that customers keep wearing, water based inks are worth the knowing curve. Use standard water based on light garments for clean detail and matte color. Transfer to discharge on one hundred percent cotton when you want the softest prints on dark t-shirts. Accept and prepare for minor color difference with discharge, particularly across color lots. For bulk t t-shirt orders, integrate in a single round of physical tasting on the actual blanks you will use, then record your settings and hold back a recommendation t-shirt for quality control.
If you operate a print on demand catalog, take a water based pill of best 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 t-shirts are evaluated in the hands, not just on screens. When a customer rubs their thumb throughout a print and feels nothing however fiber, you have actually won. That's the minute water based and discharge deliver, and why they deserve a location in any major store or brand's toolkit.
Business Name: Prints R Us
Address: 2826 Art Museum Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
Phone: (904)-752-1515