What is Water-based screen printing?

Water-based screen printing is a textile printing technique that uses water-based inks instead of plastisol (plastic-based) inks. It’s widely considered the eco-friendly alternative in the screen printing world — and for good reason: it’s softer on the planet and on your garments.

Water-based screen printing works just like traditional screen printing, where ink is pushed through a mesh stencil (screen) onto a garment. The big difference is the type of ink used. Water-based inks are made primarily of water, pigment, and a few eco-safe additives — no PVC, phthalates, or harsh chemicals.

Instead of sitting on top of the fabric like plastisol, water-based ink actually soaks into the fibres, dyeing the garment itself. The result? A super-soft, breathable print that feels like it’s part of the fabric — because it is.

Why Choose Water-Based Screen Printing?

Eco-friendly screen printing is a great option if you’re looking for fashion-style prints with a softer finish or if you are thinking of printing onto baby clothes as the inks are less chemical based than the standard Plastisol inks.

This way of printing can be a great option if you are thinking about starting a line of clothing and want to go down the route of “caring for the environment” and “Social Responsibility”.

Eco-friendly screen printing follows the same rules and processes as standard screen printing but the inks used are all water-based. The water-based inks are more eco-friendly as they are water-based but they’re also a lot harder to manipulate and work with due to the quick drying time. There can also be more wastage as the excess ink needs to be disposed of and can not be reused.

This printing option is an ideal combination with our Fairwear and Sustainable Clothing products from Continental Clothing.

Please Note

Printed garments are more sensitive and need extra attention when it comes to washing.

Uses for Eco-friendly Screen Printing

 
Eco-friendly screen printing, especially with water-based inks, is a fantastic option for brands and businesses that want to combine great design with responsible production. It offers a super-soft feel, breathable finish, and a significantly lower environmental impact — making it ideal for a wide range of applications.

Here are the most popular and impactful uses:

1. Sustainable Fashion & Apparel Brands

Whether you're launching a streetwear line or creating capsule collections, water-based screen printing is perfect for fashion-forward brands that prioritise sustainability. The soft-hand feel and high-quality finish make it ideal for t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and sweatshirts — especially when using organic cotton or recycled fabrics.

2. Eco-Friendly Promotional Products

Businesses looking to align with eco-conscious values can use water-based printing on tote bags, drawstring backpacks, aprons, and tees. It's a great choice for corporate gifting, green marketing campaigns, or event swag where the environmental impact matters as much as the design.

3. Children’s Clothing & Babywear

Water-based inks are non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals, making them especially suitable for baby and kids’ clothing. They’re soft, breathable, and safe for sensitive skin — a must for children’s wear brands.

4. Artistic & Minimalist Designs

Because water-based inks soak into the fabric, they’re ideal for subtle, tonal, or vintage-look prints. Artists, illustrators, and designers often choose this technique for minimalist graphics, hand-drawn styles, or designs with a soft aesthetic.

5. Wellness, Yoga & Lifestyle Brands

Comfort is king for wellness brands, and water-based printing offers a lightweight, breathable finish that’s perfect for loungewear, yoga tops, and eco totes. Combine it with natural or organic fabrics and you have a merch range that reflects your brand’s mindful ethos.

6. Sustainable Retail & Gift Shops

Retailers and boutiques focused on environmentally-friendly goods often stock locally-printed, small-batch apparel and accessories made with eco-conscious techniques. Water-based screen printing helps them offer products that are both beautiful and responsible.

7. Conscious Campaigns & Fundraisers

From climate marches to environmental charities, water-based printing is an ideal choice for t-shirts, banners, and merch tied to sustainability causes. It's a powerful way to walk the talk — reducing waste while raising awareness.

For businesses committed to sustainability, choosing eco screen printing and partnering with eco friendly screen printing companies like Garment Printing ensures you get top-quality results while minimising environmental harm. Whether you're looking for fashion merchandise or branded apparel, water based printing ink is the ideal solution for ethical and impactful ink screen printing.

T-Shirt Printing Methods Compared: Screen Printing, DTG and Screen Printing Water Based Ink

Compare the most popular t-shirt printing methods, including standard screen printing, eco-friendly water-based screen printing inks and DTG printing. Understand the key differences in print feel, durability, colour performance, sustainability and ideal order quantities to choose the best technique for your garments.