Which eco-friendly inks and sustainable printing options are gaining traction in India’s t-shirt market?
Water-Based Inks
- Made without harmful solvents or plastisol PVC components.
- Biodegradable and safer for both workers and the environment.
- Offer a soft hand feel on fabric, making them ideal for cotton and blends.
- Suitable for screen printing with minimal environmental impact.
- Increasingly used by small and medium-scale apparel brands focused on sustainability.
Soy-Based Inks
- Derived from renewable soy oil instead of petroleum.
- Provide rich color output with lower emissions during printing.
- Easier to clean and recycle than traditional inks.
- Often used in eco-labeling, packaging, and textile transfers.
- Gaining attention in niche eco-conscious apparel segments.
Phthalate-Free Plastisol Inks
- Modified plastisol formulations that exclude toxic plasticizers.
- Offer durability and opacity without harmful chemical residues.
- Used as an alternative when water-based inks are not suitable.
- Support compliance with international eco-safety standards.
- Common in hybrid printing setups with heat curing systems.
Discharge Inks with Low Formaldehyde
- Used for creating soft, vintage-style prints on dark garments.
- Newer formulations minimize formaldehyde content and water waste.
- Preferred in designs requiring no surface buildup or thick coating.
- Works well with natural fabrics like organic cotton.
- Brands adopt these for high-end sustainable fashion collections.
Digital Printing with Eco-Friendly Dyes
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG) inks are now offered with GOTS-certified options.
- Reactive and pigment-based dyes are water-efficient and non-toxic.
- Print-on-demand setups reduce inventory waste and overproduction.
- Low-energy printers and certified inks appeal to conscious startups.
- Supports customization while meeting environmental compliance.
