dyeing material
Plastisol ink
A screen-printing ink made of PVC resin particles dispersed in a plasticiser such as a phthalate; said to cure by fusion of the PVC particles at elevated temperature (about 115-160°C).
What is shown here is what the sources say; it is not instructions for use. For any individual product, see its label and safety data sheet.
Theme: Glued on
Claims and evidence (22)
The limitations noted for some sources are recorded in Japanese only — see the Japanese edition.
Plastisol ink works by Thermal fusion of PVC resin particles (plastisol ink)contextual
Scope: Plastisol ink curing mechanism and resulting VCM
States plastisol ink is PVC resin particles dispersed in plasticiser, curing by simple fusion of the particles at 115-160°C into a continuous film; if it looks/feels cured it probably is. Curing releases some VCM gas from PVC breakdown, a short-term mucous-membrane irritant and, like cigarette smoke, a long-term carcinogen.
Source: How to cure water-based screen printing inks （PERMASET（Colormaker Industries Pty Ltd）） ・見出し「Curing water-based vs plastisol inks」 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
manufacturer statement ・ 
checked against the source by AIWater-based ink (for screen printing) differs from Plastisol inkcontextual
Scope: Curing of water-based ink
States water-based inks are made of polymer particles dispersed in water and, unlike fusing plastisol particles, go through a two-stage process (removing water, then curing/cross-linking); cites a finding that 90% of energy goes to water removal, 10% to curing; states full cure generally needs 1-2 minutes at 160°C with good air movement, higher and longer than plastisol.
Source: How to cure water-based screen printing inks （PERMASET（Colormaker Industries Pty Ltd）） ・見出し「Evaporation first, then cross-linking」「Curing time and temperature」 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
States that in commercial applications about 90% of energy used goes to removing moisture, with only the final 10% for cross-linking the polymer, and that only once cross-linked is any wash/dry-clean fastness achieved. Confirms the same 90%/10% figure in a second, separate PERMASET technical document.
Source: Heat Curing of PERMASET Inks （Colormaker Industries, 2023） ・本文、"In commercial applications..."の段落 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyStates that for a plastisol ink to fully cure, moisture in the garment must first be dried off before the ink's resin reacts with the plasticizer to form a film, and that the time this curing takes depends on many variables -- fibre type, fabric colour (dark garments heat faster), garment weight, fabric construction, ink thickness, ink type, and ambient temperature and humidity.contextual
States full plastisol cure needs moisture removal followed by resin-plasticizer film formation, and lists (Table XIV) variables affecting cure time: fibre type, fabric colour, garment weight, fabric construction, ink thickness, ink type, and ambient temperature/humidity.
Source: Printing of Pigments and Special Effects（Technical Bulletin ISP 1017） （Cotton Incorporated, 2007） ・Plastisol Prints節、表XIV、p.11 ・institutional summary ・ checked against the source by AI
institutional summary ・ Plastisol ink ・regulationStates that US federal regulation 16 CFR Part 1307, issued under section 108 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), prohibits any plasticized component of a children's toy or child-care article from containing more than 0.1% (1,000 ppm) of the phthalates DEHP, DBP or BBP, and sets the same 0.1% limit for DINP, DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP and DCHP.contextual
Scope: Applies to US children's toys (for children 12 and under) and child-care articles (aimed at sleep, feeding, sucking or teething for children 3 and under); covers not only plasticized component parts but also other component parts made of materials that may contain phthalates (per §1307.3(c)).
States 16 CFR Part 1307 bans concentrations above 0.1% (1,000 ppm) of DEHP/DBP/BBP combined, and of each of DINP/DIBP/DPENP/DHEXP/DCHP, in plasticized components of children's toys and child-care articles.
Source: 16 CFR Part 1307 — Prohibition of Children's Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates （US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2017） ・§1307.1〜§1307.3 ・standard definition ・ checked against the source by AI
standard definition ・ Plastisol ink ・regulationStates that OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 (2025 edition) limits plasticizer/phthalate substances to a sum of 500 mg/kg or less for Classes I-III (baby, direct and no direct skin contact), and to 1,000 mg/kg or less for the sum excluding DINP for Class IV (decoration material).contextual
Shows a table of plasticizer/phthalate limit values: for Classes I-III (baby, direct and no direct skin contact) the Sum limit is 500 mg/kg or less; for Class IV (decoration material) the limit is 1,000 mg/kg or less for the sum excluding DINP.
Source: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100（Edition 02.2025） （OEKO-TEX Service GmbH, 2025） ・Limit values table, p.24 ・standard definition ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyNotes that the ink stiffens when cold, particularly in winter, and recommends portioning it into a paper cup and working it soft with a spatula before use.contextual
Scope: Handling plastisol ink (in cold conditions)
States the ink stiffens in cold winter temperatures and recommends softening it with a spatula in a paper cup before use.
Source: 【Q&A】プラスティゾル（プラスチゾル）インクが固くて使いづらいです。＜シルクスクリーン＞ （premiumT, 2020） ・本文冒頭 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyFor the product "Standard Plastisol SM", gives a guideline cure of 160°C for 1 minute, and for intermediate (flash) drying between colors in multi-color printing, about 200°C or above for 5-10 seconds (noting this should be adjusted for ink thickness and other conditions).contextual
Scope: Curing conditions for the plastisol ink product "Standard SM"
Gives cure at 160°C for 1 minute, and intermediate flash-drying between colors at 200°C or higher for about 5-10 seconds, adjusted for thickness and other conditions.
Source: シルクスクリーンインク（光沢・汎用）スタンダード プラスティゾル SM（1kg、4kg、20kg）（商品ページ） （premiumT） ・「硬化温度、時間」節、「適用」節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink is applicable to cottoncontextual
Scope: Applicable fabrics for the plastisol ink product "Standard SM"
States uses: 100% cotton, 100% polyester, cotton blends.
Source: シルクスクリーンインク（光沢・汎用）スタンダード プラスティゾル SM（1kg、4kg、20kg）（商品ページ） （premiumT） ・「その他情報」節、「用途」行 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink is applicable to polyestercontextual
Scope: Applicable fabrics for the plastisol ink product "Standard SM"
States its uses as 100% cotton, 100% polyester, and cotton blends.
Source: シルクスクリーンインク（光沢・汎用）スタンダード プラスティゾル SM（1kg、4kg、20kg）（商品ページ） （premiumT） ・「用途」項、「追加情報」表 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyStates that prints made with "Standard SM" must not be dry-cleaned and the printed surface must not be ironed.contextual
Scope: Care instructions for the plastisol ink product "Standard SM"
States dry-cleaning is prohibited and ironing of the printed surface is prohibited.
Source: シルクスクリーンインク（光沢・汎用）スタンダード プラスティゾル SM（1kg、4kg、20kg）（商品ページ） （premiumT） ・「その他情報」節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・regulationStates the ink is manufactured to be free of six regulated phthalate esters (DEHP, DBP, DINP, DIDP, BBP, DNOP) and complies with the US CPSIA (lead and phthalates), Eco-passport, and Adidas' A-01 standard.contextual
Scope: Plastisol ink (products sold by premiumT)
States it is free of the 6 regulated phthalates listed, complies with CPSIA (Pb, phthalates), and meets Eco-passport and adidas A-01 standards, while noting not every production lot is tested.
Source: プラスチゾルの説明、プラスチゾルがいいの？水性インクとの違いは何？ （premiumT） ・「安全性」節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
States compliance with CPSIA (Pb, Phthalates) and that it meets Eco-passport and adidas A-01 standards, though this page does not name the specific 6 phthalates.
Source: シルクスクリーンインク（光沢・汎用）スタンダード プラスティゾル SM（1kg、4kg、20kg）（商品ページ） （premiumT） ・「ECO関連」節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyStates that water-based ink can be cured by air-drying or heat treatment at around 130°C, whereas plastisol ink will not cure unless heat-treated at 160°C for 1 minute.contextual
Scope: Comparison of curing conditions between water-based and plastisol ink (premiumT's summary)
States water-based ink can air-dry or be heat-treated around 130°C (heat treatment improves wash fastness), while plastisol ink always needs 160°C for 1 minute.
Source: プラスチゾルの説明、プラスチゾルがいいの？水性インクとの違いは何？ （premiumT） ・「熱処理の比較」節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・mechanismRecommends curing at 325°F (163°C) or below for good coverage on dark polyester-blend fabric, extending dryer dwell time if that is lower than the usual cure temperature to ensure a total cure. For bleed control it recommends not forcing ink through the fabric (letting it sit on the surface), curing at 325°F (163°C) or below, and cooling garments quickly on hangers or with fans rather than stacking them hot; it also states running a low-bleed white ink as the first-down color eliminates or reduces most dye-migration bleed problems.contextual
Scope: Countering bleed when printing plastisol on dark polyester fabric (Lancer Group's recommendations)
States curing dark polyester blends at 325°F (163°C) or below, extending dwell time if needed, keeping ink on the surface, cooling quickly, and using a low-bleed white as first-down color to reduce most bleed issues.
Source: Special Problems of Plastisol Ink （Lancer Group International） ・"The Type of Fabric"、"Controlling Polyester Bleed"、"To Control Polyester Migration"、"Run 596 Miracle White as a First Down Color" 各段落 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyStates total fusion (cure) of plastisol ink is achieved when the imprint reaches 310-330°F (154-165°C); because plastisol is thermoplastic (soft when hot), cure checks must be done once the print is back at room temperature. Recommended checks include physically stretching the design (cracking or crumbling indicates undercure), abrasion/scratch resistance, and washability/adhesion (undercure gives a weak mechanical lock on fibers and poor washability) — and states that most pigment rubbing off is caused by the ink not being mixed thoroughly before printing, though it is also a sign of undercure. It also notes that if too much mineral spirits or non-curable reducer is added, the ink will not fuse however long or hot it is cured.contextual
Scope: Checking plastisol ink cure
Full fusion occurs at 310-330°F (154-165°C); checks must be at room temperature; lists stretch, abrasion, and wash/adhesion tests, says undercure leaves a weak mechanical lock on the fibre and poor washability, and that pigment rub-off, often confused with cure problems, mostly comes from inadequate mixing of the ink before printing but is also a sign of undercure.
Source: Special Problems of Plastisol Ink （Lancer Group International） ・"Checks for Total Fusion or Cure" 節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyStates opacity on dark colors is directly tied to the thickness of the print, fabric type, and dryer curing method; recommends 50-60/inch mesh with a medium-durometer rounded squeegee to achieve good thickness, and notes a white base image is often used for multi-color designs. Says some athletic jersey numbers are printed with mesh as low as 80/inch to achieve very opaque and durable results.contextual
Scope: Opacity of plastisol ink on dark fabric (Lancer Group's recommendations)
States opacity depends on thickness, fabric, and cure method; recommends 50-60/inch mesh and medium rounded squeegee, notes frequent white-base use for multicolor, and mentions 80/inch mesh for opaque, durable athletic numbers.
Source: Special Problems of Plastisol Ink （Lancer Group International） ・"Obtaining High Opacity on Dark Colors" 冒頭文、"Control the Thickness" 段落 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyStates that standard-cure products fully cure around 320°F (160°C), while a line of "flexible cure" (low-cure) products can cure from as low as about 250°F (121°C), marketed for reduced energy consumption.contextual
Scope: Cure temperature ranges for plastisol ink (Wilflex/Avient product lines)
States flexible/low-cure inks can cure from as low as 250°F (121°C), versus the standard 320°F (160°C) cure, for reduced energy use.
Source: WILFLEX Plastisol Screen Printing Ink — Product Selection Guide （Avient Specialty Inks（Wilflexブランド）, 2024） ・"Flexible Cure Inks" 欄 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyRecommends curing at 270°F (132°C) when printing on 100% polyester fabric, and pre-testing for bleed resistance before a production run.contextual
Scope: Curing the plastisol ink product "Epic Bolt LC White" on 100% polyester fabric (Wilflex/Avient's recommendation, table footnote)
Footnote: "When printing on 100% polyester, cure at 270°F (132°C) and pre-test for bleed resistance."
Source: WILFLEX Plastisol Screen Printing Ink — Product Selection Guide （Avient Specialty Inks（Wilflexブランド）, 2024） ・製品一覧表の脚注 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・containsThe Safety Data Sheet for Lancer Group's "Excalibur Plastisol Ink Reducer" (a plastisol thinner/reducer product) discloses its composition as 40-65% PVC resin, 30-50% phthalate-free plasticizer, and 5-10% additives, and states it contains no known listed hazardous materials nor any carcinogenic or suspected carcinogenic agents.contextual
Scope: Composition of Lancer Group's plastisol thinner "Excalibur Plastisol Ink Reducer" (the reducer, not a pigmented ink)
The composition table lists Plasticizer phthalate Free 30-50%, Additives 5-10%, PVC Resin 40-65%, and states no known hazardous or carcinogenic materials are present.
Source: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — Excalibur Plastisol Ink Reducer （Lancer Group International, 2014） ・SECTION 3.2 Mixtures、組成表 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyThe same reducer's SDS warns that fumes given off during fusion (curing) can irritate eyes, skin or the airway, and notes that a small number of people may develop mild sensitization or allergy-type skin reactions.contextual
Scope: Curing-related hazards of Lancer Group's plastisol thinner "Excalibur Plastisol Ink Reducer"
States fusion (curing) fumes may irritate eyes, skin, or respiratory tract, and skin sensitization/allergic reactions can occur mildly in some individuals.
Source: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — Excalibur Plastisol Ink Reducer （Lancer Group International, 2014） ・SECTION 2.3 Other hazards ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・propertyIn addition to being free of the six regulated phthalates, the product describes itself as manufactured to be free of heavy metals, azo compounds and formaldehyde as well, calling it an environmentally friendly plastisol.contextual
Scope: Plastisol ink (products sold by premiumT)
States that the product is manufactured to be free not only of the six regulated phthalates but also of heavy metals, azo compounds and formaldehyde, describing it as an environmentally friendly plastisol.
Source: プラスチゾルの説明、プラスチゾルがいいの？水性インクとの違いは何？ （premiumT） ・「安全性」節 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI
Plastisol ink ・differenceRegarding rubber-ink bleed (white print on a black T-shirt turning grey), states that drying with water-based ink by air-drying would largely avoid this problem; adds that they themselves do not use this method due to equipment constraints and instead cure just below the bleed-causing temperature as a workaround.contextual
Scope: Bleed countermeasures in plastisol rubber-ink screen printing, per a practitioner's account
States that if water-based ink is used and air-dried, this bleed phenomenon barely occurs, but adds that the author is not set up for this method and instead cures right at the edge of the bleed-causing temperature, using an auxiliary to cope.
Source: シルクプリントの豆知識 ブリード（昇華）現象について （森田弘文, 2021） ・ポリエステル素材とブリード現象の説明段落、「水性インクで自然乾燥させれば」の一文 ・practitioner's record ・ checked against the source by AI
practitioner's record ・ Plastisol ink ・propertyIn the section on controlling polyester bleed, states that fabrics vary from one dye lot to another, and that it is highly recommended to run a print test before starting production.contextual
Scope: Plastisol printing on dark polyester-blend fabric, per manufacturer technical guidance
Advises starting out with a good, low-bleed white such as their own 596 Miracle White, points out that fabric can differ noticeably between dye lots, and urges dyers to run a trial print before committing to a full production run.
Source: Special Problems of Plastisol Ink （Lancer Group International） ・"Controlling Polyester Bleed"段落 ・manufacturer statement ・ checked against the source by AI