The Orange Red Revolution: Why I Switched to PVC Free Plastisol Ink

I have been printing shirts for a long time. My hands have seen a lot of ink. I have seen the good and the bad. For years we used old ink. It worked well but it was full of bad stuff. It had PVC. It had phthalates. It smelled like a gas station. But things change and I changed too.

I want to tell you about a big change in my shop. I found a special color. It is the PVC Free Plastisol Ink Orange Red. It looks like a sunset on a shirt. It is bright and it is bold but best of all it is safe.

In this guide I will tell you why I love this ink. I will show you how to use it. We will look at facts and numbers. By the end you will want to toss your old ink in the trash. Let us dive in.

My First Day with PVC Free Ink

I remember my first big order for a local school. They wanted 500 shirts in a bright orange red color. They also wanted the shirts to be safe for kids. I knew I could not use the old stuff. I went to the Plastisol Ink Shop website. I found their PVC Free Plastisol Ink line.

I was scared. I thought “Will it stick?” or “Will the color look dull?”

I put the ink on the screen. It felt smooth. It felt creamy. I pulled the squeegee and the color popped. It was the best Orange Red I had ever seen. The kids loved the shirts and I loved that I was not breathing in toxic fumes.

Why Does “PVC Free” Even Matter?

You might ask “Why should I care?”

PVC is plastic. It can have bad chemicals. Phthalates are also bad. They can hurt people and they stay in the water for a long time. Many big brands now say “No more PVC!”

If you want to work with big companies you need safe ink. You can read more about these rules at ZDHC Roadmap to Zero. They make the rules for clean printing.

The Magic of Orange Red

Orange Red is a tricky color. It is not quite red and it is not quite orange. It sits right in the middle. It is the color of fire. It is the color of a fast car.

When you use Shaliteink Plastisol Ink you get a color that does not fade. Some inks look good on the screen but look bad on the shirt. This one stays bright.

Comparison: Standard Ink vs. PVC Free Orange Red

As you can see in this table the Eco-Friendly Screen Printing Ink wins every time. It is better for you and it is better for the customer.

How to Print Like a Pro

I want to share my secrets with you. Printing with Phthalate Free Plastisol Ink is easy if you know the steps.

1. Pick the Right Screen

For Orange Red I like a 110 or 160 mesh count. A 110 mesh lets a lot of ink through. This makes the color very thick and bright. A 160 mesh is better for fine lines.

2. The Underbase

If you print on a black shirt you must use a white underbase. If you don’t the black will eat the orange. I use White PVC Free NB Screen Printing Ink first. Then I flash dry it. Then I put the Orange Red on top. It looks like a neon sign!

3. Squeegee Pressure

Don’t push too hard. You want the ink to sit on top of the fabric. Use a 70 durometer squeegee. It is the middle ground. It is not too soft and it is not too hard.

4. Curing is King

This is where most people fail. You must heat the ink all the way through. If you don’t the ink will wash off.

Curing Data Chart:

Note: Always test your dryer. Use a heat gun to check the temp.

The Business Side: Saving Money and Making More

You might think “Is PVC Free Plastisol Ink Shop ink more expensive?”

Yes it costs a few cents more per shirt but you make more money. Why? Because you can charge more for “Green” or “Eco-friendly” shirts. Parents will pay $5 more for a shirt that is safe for their baby. Brands will pay more for Screen Printing Ink Wholesale that meets Oeko-Tex standards.

I saved money on ventilation too. My shop does not smell like a factory anymore. My workers are happy and happy workers do better work.

Case Study: The Local Gym

A gym came to me. They wanted shirts that did not feel like a plastic sheet. They do a lot of sweat-heavy work. I used the PVC Free Plastisol Ink Orange Red. I printed it thin with a high mesh count.

The gym owner was shocked. He said “I can’t even feel the ink!”

That is the “Soft Hand” feel everyone wants. You can’t get that with cheap old ink.

Special Effects and Fun Stuff

Did you know you can mix these inks? I sometimes mix Orange Red with Gold Screen Printing Ink Plastisol. It creates a shimmering fire effect.

If you want a 3D look you can add a puff base. Check out the Screen printing Ink Special Effects page. You can make your Orange Red stand up off the shirt!

Common Problems (And How I Fixed Them)

Problem: The ink is too thick in the bucket.
Fix: Don’t add water! This is not water-based ink. Stir it for five minutes. Plastisol gets thinner as you stir it. If it is still too thick you can use a tiny bit of reducer.

Problem: The color looks dull on blue shirts.
Fix: Orange and Blue are opposites. They fight each other. Always use a thick white underbase. I recommend White PVC Free NB Screen Printing Ink.

Problem: The ink is cracking.
Fix: Your dryer is too cold. Or the belt is moving too fast. The ink did not reach 320°F. Turn up the heat and try again.

Why Shaliteink is My Go-To

I have tried many brands. Some are okay but some are a mess. Shaliteink Plastisol Ink is consistent. Every bucket of Orange Red looks the same. That is important when you have a big job. You don’t want the first shirt to be red and the last shirt to be yellow.

They are a top Plastisol Ink Supplier. They know what printers need because they listen to us.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use this ink on polyester?
Yes you can but watch out for dye migration. Use a low-bleed underbase or keep your heat low. This ink works great on most fabrics.

2. Is it hard to clean up?
No. You use a standard screen wash. Since it does not dry in the screen you can take your time. You can even leave it on the screen overnight and it will be fine the next morning!

3. Does it feel heavy on the chest?
Not if you print it right. If you use a high mesh count it feels very light. It is much better than the old heavy plastic inks.

4. Where can I buy a small amount to try?
You should look at the Screen Printing Ink Kit. It has everything a beginner needs to start.

5. Is Orange Red a popular color?
Yes! It is very popular for safety vests, sports teams, and summer clothing. It is one of my top-selling colors.

Final Thoughts from the Shop Floor

Look I am just a printer. I like things that work. This Orange Red PVC Free Ink works. It makes my customers happy and it keeps my shop safe. It is bright and it is tough and it is easy to use.

If you are still using the old stuff it is time to stop. Your health is worth more than a cheap bucket of ink. Switch to PVC Free Plastisol Ink today. Your shirts will look better and you will feel better too.

Go ahead and try a jar. Stir it up and pull a print and see the fire for yourself. You won’t go back to the old ways. I promise.