November 3, 2025

Beyond Standard Tees: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Water-Based Inks and Discharge Printing for Custom 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 printing shop that takes its craft seriously, and you will see 2 things in constant stress: the push for softer, more breathable prints that people really delight 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 tasks. For many years, I've found out that water based inks and discharge printing are not simply buzzwords, they are practical tools that produce lovely results and genuine convenience, particularly for T shirt printing that needs to withstand everyday wear.

If you run a brand name, manage bulk t t-shirt orders, or just want your customized shirts to seem like a favorite from the first wash, it's worth comprehending how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they require care. The right option can make the difference between a shirt that gets used as soon as and one that becomes the go-to.

What water based ink really is

Water based inks suspend pigments in water rather than in plasticizers and solvents. Unlike plastisol, which sits on top of the material and remedies into a film, water based inks absorb into the fibers. That single particular describes the majority of the benefits and compromises. Prints feel soft because 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 often equivalent from the shirt itself. For custom t shirts created for convenience, this is the path to the "retail feel" clients ask for.

There are 2 main households: basic water based and discharge. Standard water based ink works best on white or extremely light shirts. It can cover mid-tones with the right base, but once you move into darker fabrics, you either require a heavier print or you change to discharge. Discharge printing uses an activator that raises the color from the material throughout treating, essentially whitening the shirt's color 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 limits

Eco friendly inks are not a marketing slogan if you unload the chemistry and the workflow. Water based inks usually contain fewer unpredictable organic substances than solvent-heavy alternatives and avoid PVC entirely. Numerous are certified with rigorous requirements like Oeko-Tex or satisfy retail testing regimes that prohibit certain phthalates and heavy metals. If you offer customized garments into business wellness programs, 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 take a look at shop practices: filtration on your washout booth, reclaim chemistry, energy usage on your clothes dryer, and even fabric sourcing. Discharge requires an activator, usually based on zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or comparable substances, which has its own handling and ventilation needs. In a well-run store, exposure is managed and waste is caught. If you're using print on demand with a partner, ask how they handle discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and treating controls dialed in. Genuine sustainability conceals in the details.

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

Most individuals do not buy a graphic tee because they like the ink. They purchase it since the garment looks good, feels good, and keeps that character after duplicated washing. Water based inks, consisting of discharge, give you that broken-in comfort from day one. On an one hundred percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and versatile. You will not hear the crackle you sometimes obtain from heavy plastisol when you extend throughout the chest.

I keep a shelf of comparison t-shirts in the studio. One from a browse brand, 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 a little, and the t-shirts kept moving. A plastisol sample with the same art looks glossier and still pops more under extreme light, which some streetwear clients choose, however the wearer feedback is consistent: water based seems like a premium garment.

Color, protection, and how expectations form results

Color accuracy with water based inks is a matter of control, humidity, and the fabric's own dye. On white or heather light shirts, standard water based ink can hit tight Pantones with a determined ink mix and a clean mesh. On darker cotton, discharge includes variables. Various color lots discharge differently, even within the same brand and color. Black 3001 blanks from one batch might raise 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 working with a background that is shifting as the dye is removed.

That's not a flaw, it's part of the medium. Lots of designers embrace the slightly classic character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep instead of neon. If your brand demands laser-precise color reproduction for business logo designs, either order test prints on the specific batch you prepare to utilize or think about a water based underbase or hybrid approach where required. For wholesale t 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 in between ink and fiber. Ringspun cotton takes ink perfectly. Carded open end cotton is scratchier and beverages ink unevenly. Blends make complex things. A 50/50 poly-cotton or a triblend with rayon can work with water based, but discharge only lifts the cotton portion. That implies your color fills the cotton while the polyester and rayon stay as-is, frequently yielding a heathered or speckled print that looks intentional if you design for it. If your objective is flat, vivid color on a poly mix, conventional 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, think about cut-and-sew with water based prints on panels before assembly. Garment printing all over on ended up tees presents joints, folds, and inconsistent pressure that appear as blank micro-gaps. If you need to print on completed garments, anticipate small spaces along joints, which some customers like as part of the garment's character.

The production reality: screens, mesh, humidity, and dryers

Water based inks act differently on press. They dry faster in the screen, which works on material but can lock a mesh if you pause too long. Running a higher mesh for information, 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 steady variety, approximately 45 to 55 percent, to prevent premature drying. Manual press operators will discover how quickly a basic water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Automobile presses, with flood bars and constant rate, minimize clogging.

Curing is where numerous novices fizzle. Water based inks need both heat and time for the water to evaporate, then for the binders to cross-link. A clothes dryer tunnel with enough airflow makes the difference. You want even heat across the belt and enough dwell to reach the maker's cure temperature level throughout the ink layer, not just at the surface. Shirts leaving the tunnel must be dry to the touch with no cool spots. For discharge, the chain reaction happens throughout this treatment, and you will smell the activator. Great ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

Durability depends on appropriate cure and fiber engagement. A well-cured water based print on cotton can outlast the shirt. I determine sturdiness by standardized wash tests, 10 to 20 cycles at warm, topple dry medium, then visual evaluation for fading and breaking. Water based prints show gradual softening and a mild fade in the exact same way jeans unwinds. Plastisol's failure mode is different, normally splitting if the ink layer is too thick or under-cured. For individualized t-shirts that require to look proficient at a household reunion and still be in rotation next summer season, water based holds up when produced correctly.

Cost, throughput, and when to select which method

Costs differ regionally, but the economics fall into familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is typically equivalent to plastisol at the gallon level, but you invest more in store environment and drying capability. On press, water based can be slightly slower at setup due to the fact that you pay closer attention to fit together, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. When tuned, automobiles perform at similar speeds. Where it really settles is in perceived value. A soft print on a mid-tier blank frequently feels premium without leaping to the highest-cost t-shirt. Brand names can price accordingly.

For bulk t shirt orders above a few hundred pieces where the art matches 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 buy custom t shirts or DTF might be better operationally, though both have their own environmental and feel trade-offs. When you take on wholesale t shirts with several colorways and must keep inventory versatile, a versatile water based scheme on light garments is efficient, given that you avoid the weight and stiffness that collect with multiple underbases in plastisol.

Design choices that highlight the best in water based and discharge

Design planning starts with the material color and ends with curing. On light 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 top rated custom t shirts Jacksonville t-shirt color looks through. A charcoal heather with a discharge cream graphic looks like it grew there.

Type weight matters. Really thin knockouts inside heavy flood locations can fill out with discharge, particularly on high-absorbency cotton. If you need razor negative area, separate the art to print negative shapes as favorable strokes with a clear schedule custom t shirts design 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 record fiber interaction and color lift.

When you should state no to discharge

There are times I advise against discharge. Polyester-rich garments are leading of the list. The activator can cause color migration, specifically with sublimated or cationic-dyed performance shirts, resulting in ghosting or brownish casts. Some garment dyes, particularly reactive black blends, withstand lifting, leaving a shadowed print that looks undercured even when it isn't. If a customer is sensitive to small odor throughout treating, discharge days in the store are obvious. Well-managed air flow alleviates this, however it is part of the process.

If a client needs metallics, puff, or specialized textures, plastisol or hybrid systems still own that area. Water based metallics exist, however the particles typically sink, and the result is more satin than true metal. For high-opacity neons on dark shirts that need to be billboard-bright, you might 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 removes guesswork. A basic approach keeps surprises at bay and helps you hit deadlines for launches and events.

  • Decide on material first, then ink: pick 100 percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, high-quality cotton for standard water based. Prevent high poly unless the heathered result is desired.
  • Request test prints on the precise blanks: one t-shirt per colorway is normally sufficient to lock approvals, specifically for bulk t t-shirt orders where consistency matters.
  • Clarify color expectations in context: provide Pantone targets for light garments and explain acceptable ranges for dark discharge prints, with photos of previous work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: advise cold wash and low heat dry for clients, then confirm your treatment 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 as needed has its own restraints: quick art changes, little batch sizes, and the requirement for a broad color gamut. Direct-to-garment has actually become the default, but water based screen printing can fit POD if you organize catalog technique. For designs that are high volume even at little everyday amounts, pre-burning screens and keeping a small stock of popular sizes lets you deliver same day with water based prints that feel better than many DTG outputs. It works finest when you keep art to one or two colors and select light garments.

If your POD model relies 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 convenience and breathability are the selling points. Customers who appreciate touch will notice.

Pricing, margins, and interacting value

When customers 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, improved breathability, and compliance for delicate purchasers. On a per-shirt basis, the distinction for a standard three-color front hit may be modest, often a little uplift that can be neutralized by picking a slightly more economical blank. If the program is for wholesale t shirts entering into boutiques or e-commerce at superior cost points, the improvement in viewed value more than covers the change.

For personalized shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, choices matter. Offer a base price with plastisol on midweight cotton, then a "comfort upgrade" that includes a ringspun blank with water based ink. You will see a clear split: some clients enhance for cost, others for feel. Satisfying both lets you serve a wider market without diluting your craft.

Care guidelines that consumers really follow

Care labels frequently read like legal disclaimers. Keep it easy and practical so the t-shirt survives real life. Water based and discharge prints prefer cooler washes and lower dryer heat, but they will withstand regular laundering if properly cured. I recommend phrasing care ideas in human terms on product pages: wash cold with comparable colors, topple dry low, avoid material softeners if you want colors to remain crisp. The last note matters since some conditioners can deposit movies on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of fine lines.

I have actually checked these directions in-house: two similar t-shirts, one washed cold and dried low, the other washed warm and dried high. After 15 cycles, the warm/high tee revealed slightly much faster fading of mid-tones, yet still looked excellent. That tolerance originates from correct remedy, not from babying the garment.

All over print ideas that do not combat the limitations

All over print captures attention, but printing flood coats on put together garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Rather of combating joints, style for them. Usage tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at seams, or apply a ghosted grid that looks intentional when it breaks at hems. Additionally, run panel printing and sew. Brand names that sell limited runs can validate cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the design warrants it. The finished garments read as custom from a distance, which is the goal.

A brief anecdote from a busy season

One spring we ran a series for a regional music festival. The customer wanted soft black tees with a sunburst print that seemed like it resided in the fabric. We sampled on 3 blacks from two mills. Batch one raised cleanly with discharge, batch two stayed stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the artwork. We logged dye lot numbers, pivoted the ink mix by adding a touch more white pigment to compensate, and adjusted dwell time by 10 to 15 seconds to finish the reaction. The outcome: consistent tees across 2,400 systems, each with a soft, breathable print that sold out by day two.

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

Common risks and how to prevent them

Most problems I see trace back to process, 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 struck the required temp for the best period. Utilize a donut probe or an ingrained thermochromic strip to measure real ink film temperature, 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 3rd mistake is overlooking material irregularity. If you change blanks mid-run because a size runs out stock, you might see shifts in color. Construct contingency into your getting. For brands planning ahead, picking a standard blank and locking it with your supplier reduces surprises.

Final assistance for choosing your path

If your concern is soft, breathable custom-made garments that clients keep wearing, water based inks are worth the learning curve. Usage basic water based upon light garments for tidy detail and matte color. Relocate to release on 100 percent cotton when you desire the softest prints on dark t-shirts. Accept and prepare for minor color difference with discharge, especially across color lots. For bulk t shirt orders, integrate in a single round of physical sampling on the real blanks you will utilize, then document your settings and keep back a reference shirt for quality control.

If you operate a print on demand catalog, take a water based capsule of best sellers on light t-shirts. Market the distinction: 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 judged in the hands, not just on screens. When a consumer rubs their thumb across a print and feels nothing but fiber, you have actually won. That's the minute water based and discharge provide, and why they are worthy of 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.