Plastisol Screen Printing

High quality, versatile plastisol screen printing in Los Angeles: thick plastisol sits on top of the fabric for bold, opaque, vivid color on any garment.

Bold, opaque color, vivid even on black
Layer colors that stay bright
Matte or glossy, made in L.A.

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Opaque & vivid, even on black

Matte or glossy finish

Durable: our inks don't crack

Made in Los Angeles

Trusted by thousands of companies across the U.S.

Vibrant Plastisol Screen Printing

What Is Plastisol Screen Printing?

Plastisol is a thick, PVC-based ink that sits on top of the fabric instead of soaking in, so your design stays bold, opaque, and vivid, even on dark garments. Cured at 300+ degrees F, it bonds into a durable, flexible layer that is built to last. If you're wearing a printed shirt right now, chances are it was printed with plastisol, the go-to choice for apparel designers and manufacturers for the last four decades, and the most common ink in screen printing.

Bold, opaque color, vivid on any garment
Layer colors that stay clean and bright
Up to 6 colors, matte or glossy finish
The most durable & most economical ink we offer

Pro Tip: Plastisol holds bold spot color beautifully but isn't built for photographic detail. For full-color images, ask about DTG or water-based transfers.

Connect with a rep

Bold vivid multi-color plastisol screen print on a cotton t-shirt

close-up of a multi-color plastisol butterfly and flower print on a cream shirt

Plastisol Screen Printing: One Ink, Many Services.

Plastisol ink is the base for numerous services we offer. The most unique is probably puff ink screen printing, achieved by mixing in a heat-reactive additive. Another popular one is 3M reflective screen printing, made by mixing a reflective additive into the base ink.

Explore 3M reflective printing

glossy cream and red plastisol print on a striped shirt

How Does Plastisol Screen Printing Work?

Plastisol ink sits on top of the fibers rather than being absorbed like the inks in a water-based print, so prints stay opaque against dark fabrics, and colors layer quickly while staying as clear and vibrant as if they were on their own.

It's mixed with pigments and additives into a buttery, thick consistency, the key to its effectiveness. Unlike quick-drying water-based inks, plastisol only changes thickness when heated; quicker-drying inks can clog the screen and damage the print.

gold plastisol track-list print on a purple shirt

How is Plastisol Ink Cured?

After one of our master printers applies the ink, the plastisol is cured so the design bonds permanently to the garment. At 300+ degrees the particles in the ink melt and fuse together, turning the once-buttery ink into a solid but flexible material that's permanently attached.

black plastisol graphic print on a yellow hoodie

What is the Difference Between Plastisol Ink Screen Printing and Puff Print Ink?

Plastisol is the base for multiple screen printing techniques, and puff print is one of them. The main difference is chemical: puff ink includes a special additive that foams when exposed to heat, creating the infamous puffy effect on puff printed merch. Looking for info? One of our team members would be happy to guide you.

Custom puff printing

orange-to-teal gradient lettering printed on a black shirt

Is a Plastisol Transfer or Plastisol Printing Better?

There's no definitive answer. It depends on the goals for your merch. The main difference is the application: plastisol screen prints are applied straight to the garment, while a transfer is printed onto a clear film that's then heat-applied.

We find plastisol transfers lack definition, so we don't offer them. If you're looking to have a transfer produced, we advise using water-based transfers.

Explore water-based transfers

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Recent work

Plastisol Screen Printing Gallery

View Complete Portfolio

red and green plastisol label-style print on a black shirt

layered multi-color plastisol print on a black shirt

blue plastisol doodle print on a pink bandana

plastisol print detail on a yellow hoodie

Choose your ink

Plastisol vs. Water-Based vs. Discharge

Plastisol sits on top for bold opaque color, water-based soaks in for a super-soft feel, and discharge re-colors dark cotton for a soft vintage hand. Not sure which fits your project? Talk to an account rep.

Plastisol

Bold, opaque, on top

Sits on top of the fibers
Opaque and vivid, even on black
Layer colors that stay bright
The durable, economical workhorse

Water-Based

Soft, soaks in

Absorbs into the fabric
Super-soft, no hand feel
Best and brightest on lights
Eco-friendly water-based ink

Discharge

Soft on dark cotton

Removes the garment's dye
Re-colors with a soft hand
A smooth underbase on darks
Vintage, broken-in feel

Make Merch People Actually Want to Wear

Our Inks Don't Crack

Bold Opaque Color
Sits on top of the fabric for vivid color that pops, even on black garments.
Layer Without Limits
Stack and overlap colors that all stay clean, bright, and vivid.
The Durable Workhorse
The most durable, hard-wearing ink in screen printing. Our inks don't crack.
Matte or Glossy Finish
Choose your look: a soft matte or a bright glossy finish.
The Base for Specialty
Plastisol is the foundation for puff, 3M reflective, high-density, and foil.
Most Economical Ink
The best-value ink for bold, consistent prints at any volume.

Flat-lay of bold vivid plastisol-printed tees, hoodies, and sweatpants

Plastisol specs

Set Your Plastisol Print Up for Success

Plastisol shines on bold spot-color designs. Send your design, choose matte or glossy, and we mix the inks, build the screens, and triple-check every order.

Best For Bold spot-color on dark or light garments

Colors Up to 6 spot colors, layered and vivid

Finish Matte or glossy

Print Sizes Regular 15x18", Jumbo 17x26", All-Over 30x34"

Built to last: plastisol cures into a durable, flexible layer that bonds permanently and stays opaque on any fabric color, and it's the base for puff, 3M reflective, high-density, and foil. No setup fees, screens saved for reorders.

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How it works

Step 01

Choose your product(s)

Pick your blank (plastisol works on virtually any fabric and color), then choose your colors, sizes, finish, and the print locations for each design.

Step 02

Upload your design

Send your bold spot-color design and any special instructions. We check it, your rep guides any tweaks, and you approve a proof before we print.

Step 03

Make a lasting impression

Lead the pack with bold, durable prints your employees and customers actually want to wear.

Need a specialty effect?

Plastisol is the base for puff, 3M reflective, high-density, and foil. Your rep can mix in any effect and triple-check every order.

Connect with a rep

Transparent pricing

How Much Does Plastisol Printing Cost?

Plastisol is priced by the number of colors, print locations, and quantity, with no setup fees and the best value at volume. It is the most economical ink we offer.

Up to 6Spot colors

$0Setup fees

10-14 daysStandard turnaround

No setup fees Low minimums on every project Wholesale pricing at volume Screens saved for reorders

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What Products are Best for Plastisol Printing?

Plastisol works well on many different materials and surfaces (tees, hoodies, sweatpants, totes, jackets, and more), so it's ideal on most products we offer. To double-check a product, reach out to one of our account reps. Bold, opaque, and built to last, made in LA.

View all products Get a quote

Products we plastisol print

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

T-Shirts

Hoodies

Sweatpants

Long Sleeves

Crewnecks

Tote Bags

Jackets

Tank Tops

Crop Tops

Plastisol Screen Printing: Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Haven't found what you are looking for? Email or contact us and we'd be happy to assist.

What is plastisol ink?

The most durable & popular option on the market for custom printed garments.

At what temp is Plastisol cured?

When our custom screen printed merch is printed, after ever layer of ink color, the garment is flash dried. When that happens it reaches up to 320 degrees in temperature. Once it is done going though the various screens it is then placed onto a 10ft long heated conveyor belt three separate times.

What are the different finishes available for Plastisol Printing?

The two finishes of plastisol ink we offer are matte & glossy. If you're looking for a sparkly or shiny finish those are differnt services known as shimmer ink or foil finish.

Are all Plastisol Inks the same?

Absolutely not. Often times, plastisol inks are made in China out of environmentally unstable materials. We source our plastisol through trusted vendors in Italy, Japan & the US.

Is there a color limit for plastisol printing?

Yes, we offer up to 8 color prints. If you need more then 8 colors, we suggest looking into water based transfer printing.

Can Plastisol Inks work on any fabric?

Yes; we test and adjust the ink formulas to work on any fabrics.

Do Plastisol Inks fade or crack?

If not printed or cured properly its possible, we always make sure that the formula is adjust to best fit your selected fabric.

Can you screen print Plastisol inks on dark fabric?

Yes, with either a regular Plastisol base as a primary layer or a discharged waterbase for an extra smooth feel.

How does plastisol screen printing work?

The ink sits on top of the fibers rather than soaking in, which keeps it opaque on dark fabrics and lets us layer colors that all stay clear and vivid. Its thick, buttery consistency only changes when heated, so it will not dry out and clog the screens.