November 3, 2025

Beyond Standard 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.

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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 two things in constant tension: the push for softer, more breathable prints that people really take pleasure in using, and the need to produce at scale without compromising the environment or the bottom line. That stress has actually formed how I select inks, pretreatments, and fabrics for custom apparel tasks. Over the years, I've discovered that water based inks and discharge printing are not simply buzzwords, they are useful tools that produce gorgeous results and real convenience, especially for T t-shirt printing that requires to withstand everyday wear.

If you run a brand name, manage bulk t t-shirt orders, or merely desire your individualized shirts to feel like a preferred from the first wash, it's worth understanding how these ink systems work, where they shine, and where they require care. The best choice can make the difference in between a shirt that gets worn once and one that ends up being 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 cures into a movie, water based inks soak up into the fibers. That single characteristic describes the majority of the advantages and compromises. 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 integrated. On light garments, the hand is frequently identical from the shirt itself. For custom-made t t-shirts designed for comfort, this is the course to the "retail feel" clients ask for.

There are 2 main households: basic 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 materials, you either require a much heavier print or you switch to discharge. Release printing utilizes an activator that raises the dye from the fabric during curing, basically bleaching the t-shirt's dye in the printed locations, then replaces 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 actually limits

Eco friendly inks are not a marketing motto if you unpack the chemistry and the workflow. Water based inks usually include fewer unstable organic substances than solvent-heavy options and prevent PVC completely. Lots of are certified with strict requirements like Oeko-Tex or fulfill retail testing routines that ban certain phthalates and heavy metals. If you sell custom-made garments into corporate wellness programs, schools, or health-conscious brand names, those certificates smooth procurement and keep you ahead of compliance.

That stated, "eco friendly" is a system concept. Ink is one part. You likewise need to look at store practices: purification on your washout booth, recover chemistry, energy use on your clothes dryer, and even fabric sourcing. Discharge requires an activator, normally based on zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or similar substances, which has its own handling and ventilation requirements. In a well-run store, direct exposure is managed and waste custom t shirts for teams is caught. If you're using print as needed with a partner, ask how they deal with discharge effluent and whether they have air exchange and treating controls dialed in. Real sustainability hides in the details.

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

Most individuals do not buy a graphic tee since they like the ink. They purchase it because the garment looks great, feels good, and keeps that character after repeated cleaning. Water based inks, including discharge, give you that broken-in comfort from day one. On a 100 percent ring-spun cotton blank, a water based print is breathable and flexible. You will not hear the crackle you often obtain from heavy plastisol when you extend across the chest.

I keep a shelf of comparison 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 a lot 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 severe light, which some streetwear customers prefer, but the wearer feedback corresponds: water based seems like a premium garment.

Color, protection, and how expectations form results

Color precision with water based inks refers control, humidity, and the fabric's own dye. On white or heather light t-shirts, basic water based ink can hit tight Pantones with a measured ink mix and a clean mesh. On darker cotton, discharge includes variables. Different color lots discharge in a different way, even within the exact same brand name 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 include steers the last color, but you're still dealing with a background that is shifting as the color is removed.

That's not a defect, it belongs to the medium. Lots of designers accept the somewhat classic character of discharge, where reds land earthy and blues feel deep rather than neon. If your brand name demands laser-precise color reproduction for corporate logos, either order test prints on the exact batch you plan to utilize or consider a water based underbase or hybrid approach where needed. For wholesale t shirts that will be distributed nationally, put example 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 partnership 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 only raises the cotton part. That implies your color saturates the cotton while the polyester and rayon stay as-is, typically yielding a heathered or speckled print that looks deliberate if you style for it. If your objective is flat, vivid color on a poly blend, traditional plastisol or a specialized low-cure system may be smarter.

On all over print jobs, 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 completed tees presents joints, folds, and irregular pressure that show up as blank micro-gaps. If you need to print on completed garments, expect small voids along joints, 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 works on material however can lock a mesh if you stop briefly too long. Running a higher mesh for information, say 230 to 305, keeps the deposit thin and crisp. Set up with a misting bottle or a devoted screen rewetting option at hand, and keep the print room humidity in a constant range, approximately 45 to 55 percent, to avoid premature drying. Manual press operators will see how quickly a basic water based ink clears the screen compared to a heavy plastisol. Automobile presses, with flood bars and consistent speed, decrease clogging.

Curing is where many newbies 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 sufficient airflow makes the distinction. 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 chemical reaction takes place throughout this remedy, and you will smell the activator. Good ventilation is non-negotiable.

Durability and wash testing

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

Cost, throughput, and when to choose which method

Costs vary regionally, but the economics fall into familiar patterns. Water based ink itself is often comparable to plastisol at the gallon level, but you invest more in store environment and drying capability. On press, water based can be somewhat slower at setup due to the fact that you pay closer attention to fit together, squeegee durometer, and off-contact. When tuned, autos run at similar speeds. Where it truly pays off is in viewed value. A soft print on a mid-tier blank often feels premium without leaping to the highest-cost shirt. Brands can price accordingly.

For bulk t shirt orders above a couple of hundred pieces where the art matches the medium, discharge on 100 percent cotton is a workhorse. For print as needed that requires over night turn-around and art changes constantly, direct-to-garment or DTF may be better operationally, though both have their own ecological and feel compromises. When you take on wholesale t t-shirts with several colorways and must keep inventory versatile, a versatile water based palette on light garments is efficient, given that you avoid the weight and stiffness that collect with several underbases in plastisol.

Design options that bring out the best in water based and discharge

Design preparation starts with the fabric color and ends with treating. On light t-shirts, lean into detail: thin lines, halftones, hand-drawn textures. Standard water based ink prints those with a special that plastisol tends to overpower. On dark cotton, discharge shines with mid-tone richness and soft edges. Consider how the t-shirt color peeks through. A charcoal heather with a discharge cream graphic appear like it grew there.

Type weight matters. Extremely thin knockouts inside heavy flood areas can fill out with discharge, specifically on high-absorbency cotton. If you require razor unfavorable 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 real garment rather than trusting a digital mockup. A mockup can not record fiber interaction and color lift.

When you ought to say no to discharge

There are times I advise against discharge. Polyester-rich garments are top of the list. The activator can cause color migration, particularly with sublimated or cationic-dyed efficiency t-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 client is sensitive to minor smell throughout treating, discharge days in the store are noticeable. Well-managed airflow alleviates this, but it is part of the process.

If a customer needs metallics, puff, or specialty textures, plastisol or hybrid systems still own that area. Water based metallics exist, but the particles often sink, and the effect is more satin than real metal. For high-opacity neons on dark t-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 brands and creators

Whether you run your own presses or count on a partner, set up a workflow that gets rid of uncertainty. An easy approach keeps surprises at bay and helps you struck due dates for launches and events.

  • Decide on material first, then ink: pick one hundred percent ringspun cotton for discharge, or light, premium cotton for basic water based. Avoid high poly unless the heathered result is desired.
  • Request test prints on the precise blanks: one t-shirt per colorway is usually enough to lock approvals, specifically for bulk t t-shirt orders where consistency matters.
  • Clarify color expectations in context: supply Pantone targets for light garments and describe acceptable ranges for dark discharge prints, with photos of prior work you like.
  • Align on care labels and handling: suggest cold wash and low heat dry for customers, then verify your treatment times so wash resilience matches the tag guidance.
  • Confirm ecological requirements: ask your printer about ink accreditations, ventilation, and waste capture, especially if your brand name messaging leans into eco friendly inks.

How water based fits with print on demand

Print on demand has its own restrictions: quick art modifications, small batch sizes, and the need for a broad color range. Direct-to-garment has actually ended up being the default, however water based screen printing can fit POD if you arrange brochure method. For styles that are high volume even at small everyday amounts, pre-burning screens and keeping a little stock of popular sizes lets you ship very same day with water based prints that feel 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 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 convenience and breathability are the selling points. Clients 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 basic plastisol task, I discuss what they are buying. They get the soft hand that retail customers equate with quality, improved breathability, and compliance for delicate buyers. On a per-shirt basis, the distinction for a basic three-color front hit may be modest, typically a small uplift that can be reduced the effects of by choosing a somewhat more affordable blank. If the program is for wholesale t shirts going into stores or e-commerce at premium cost points, the enhancement in perceived value more than covers the change.

For customized t-shirts, such as charity runs or college clubs, alternatives matter. Deal a base cost with plastisol on midweight cotton, then a "convenience upgrade" that includes a ringspun blank with water based ink. You will see a clear split: some customers enhance for expense, others for feel. Meeting both lets you serve a larger market without diluting your craft.

Care instructions that consumers really follow

Care labels typically read like legal disclaimers. Keep it easy and sensible so the t-shirt endures real life. Water based and discharge prints choose cooler washes and lower dryer heat, but they will sustain typical laundering if effectively cured. I suggest phrasing care ideas in human terms on product pages: wash cold with comparable colors, tumble dry low, prevent material conditioners if you want colors to remain crisp. The last note matters because some softeners can deposit films on fibers, dulling the visual contrast of great lines.

I order Jacksonville T shirt printing have actually tested these instructions in-house: 2 identical t-shirts, one washed cold and dried low, the other washed warm and dried high. After 15 cycles, the warm/high tee revealed a little much faster fading of mid-tones, yet still looked great. That tolerance comes from correct treatment, not from babying the garment.

All over print concepts that do not combat the limitations

All over print catches attention, however printing flood coats on assembled garments with water based inks can be unforgiving. Instead of battling seams, style for them. Use tone-on-tone patterns that fade naturally at joints, or use a ghosted grid that looks deliberate when it breaks at hems. Alternatively, run panel printing and stitch. Brand names that sell limited runs can justify cut-and-sew for 100 to 300 pieces if the design requires it. The completed 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 client desired soft black tees with a sunburst print that seemed like it resided in the material. We tested on 3 blacks from 2 mills. Batch one raised easily with discharge, batch 2 remained stubbornly dark in the mid-rays of the art work. We logged color 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 complete the reaction. The result: consistent tees across 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 chalkboard. The recipe matters, but so does tasting and adjusting.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Most problems I see trace back to procedure, not the ink household. Under-curing is the first offender. Water based ink that feels dry can still be under-cured if the core of the print never struck the needed temperature for the right duration. Utilize a donut probe or an ingrained thermochromic strip to determine true ink movie temperature, not simply clothes dryer setpoints. Screen lockup is the 2nd. Keep a consistent rate on press, flood between prints, and control store humidity.

A 3rd risk is disregarding fabric variability. If you change blanks mid-run because a size is out of stock, you may see shifts in color. Construct contingency into your getting. For brands planning ahead, selecting a standard blank and locking it with your provider reduces surprises.

Final guidance for choosing your path

If your priority is soft, breathable custom-made garments that customers keep wearing, water based inks are worth the learning curve. Usage basic water based on light garments for tidy information and matte color. Relocate to release on one hundred percent cotton when you desire the softest prints on dark t-shirts. Accept and plan for small color variation with discharge, especially throughout color lots. For bulk t shirt orders, integrate in a single round of physical sampling on the real blanks you will utilize, then record your settings and hold back a recommendation shirt for quality control.

If you run a print on demand catalog, carve out a water based capsule of best sellers on light shirts. Market the distinction: 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 simply on screens. When a client rubs their thumb throughout a print and feels absolutely nothing but fiber, you have actually won. That's the minute water based and discharge deliver, and why they deserve a place in any severe 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.