How to Screen Printing Waterproof Fabric? Our Silicone Solutions on Waterproof Fabrics
Waterproof fabrics are widely used in outdoor clothing, sportswear, backpacks, tents, and many protective products. Brands often want to add logos, patterns, or decorative designs on these materials. However, printing on waterproof fabrics is more challenging than printing on normal textiles such as cotton or polyester.
This is because waterproof fabrics usually have special coatings that prevent water from passing through the material. While these coatings help keep the fabric dry, they also make it difficult for printing inks to stick well to the surface.
In this article, we will explain how to screen print waterproof fabrics and introduce our silicone printing solution, which uses a three-layer process.
Why Waterproof Fabrics Are Difficult to Print
Many waterproof fabrics have coatings such as PU(polyurethane),TPU,PVC or water-repellent tretments. These coatings create a smooth and low-energy surface.
Because of this surface structure, printers often face the following problems:
Poor ink adhesion – The ink cannot bond well to the coated surface
Peeling or cracking – The printed design may come off after washing or stretching
Ink spreading – The print edges may become blurry
Durability issues – Prints may fail after repeated use
Our Silicone Printing Solution for Waterproof Fabrics
To achieve strong adhesion and long-lasting prints on waterproof materials, we recommend a three-step silicone printing system:
1.Adhesive Layer(AD-11)– Improves bonding between fabric and printing layers
2.Middle layer silicone as crosslinker – Builds a stable base and improves print structure
3.Screen printing silicone – Provides the final color, texture, and durability
This layered printing method ensures the print remains flexible, durable, and resistant to washing and stretching.
Step-by-Step Process for Screen Printing Waterproof Fabric
Step 1: Print the Adhesive Layer (AD-11)
The first step in our process is printing the adhesive layer using AD-11.
This adhesive layer plays a very important role. It helps the printing layers bond strongly to the waterproof coating of the fabric.
Process tips:
Use a suitable mesh screen
Apply even squeegee pressure
Ensure the adhesive layer covers the design area completely
After printing the AD-11 adhesive layer, pre-cure or flash cure the layer according to the recommended temperature. This helps stabilize the adhesive before applying the next layer.
Benefits of the AD-11 layer:
Improves adhesion to coated fabrics
Reduces risk of peeling
Creates a strong foundation for further printing layers
Step 2: Apply the Middle layer silicone as crosslinker
After the adhesive layer is cured, the next step is printing the intermediate layer.
The intermediate layer serves several functions:
Creates a smoother printing surface
Increases print thickness if needed
Improves the bonding between the adhesive and silicone top layer
This layer also helps maintain the shape and structure of the final printed design.
Printing tips:
Use controlled squeegee pressure
Avoid excessive ink buildup
Ensure even coverage
After printing the intermediate layer, cure or flash cure the layer to prepare it for the final silicone printing.
Step 3: Screen Print silicone
The final step is screen printing the silicone layer. This layer provides the visible color, texture, and durability of the print.
Silicone ink has several advantages for waterproof fabrics:
Excellent flexibility
Strong durability
Good resistance to washing and abrasion
Soft touch
The silicone top layer can also create different visual effects, such as:
Matte finish
Glossy finish
Raised or 3D effects
During printing, maintain stable printing speed and pressure to ensure consistent results.
Step 4: Quality Testing
After curing, it is important to test the printed fabric to ensure the quality meets requirements.
Common tests include:
Adhesion Test
Use tape to check whether the print peels from the fabric.
Stretch Test
Stretch the fabric to ensure the print remains flexible.
Wash Test
Wash the fabric to evaluate durability after repeated cleaning.
These tests help confirm that the printing system works well for the specific waterproof material.
Applications of Silicone Printing on Waterproof Fabrics
This printing process is widely used in many industries, especially for outdoor and performance products.
Common applications include:
Rain jackets
Outdoor sportswear
Ski and snowboarding apparel
Waterproof gloves
Backpacks and travel bags
Tents and outdoor equipment
Because silicone prints are flexible and durable, they perform very well in harsh outdoor environments.
Conclusion
Printing on waterproof fabrics can be challenging because of their smooth and coated surfaces. Standard printing methods often struggle to achieve strong adhesion and long-lasting durability.
If you are working with waterproof materials and need reliable printing results, silicone screen printing with the proper layered system is an excellent solution.