Silicone Discharge Printing

                                                 Silicone Discharge Printing

(A high-end textile printing technique combining discharge dye removal with silicone ink elasticity for ultra-soft, stretchable prints on dark fabrics.)

1. What is Silicone Discharge Printing?

A hybrid printing method where:

Discharge agent removes fabric dye (typically on cotton).

Silicone ink prints simultaneously, creating a soft, stretchable design where the base color is bleached out.

Best for:

Dark-colored cotton (e.g., black, navy)

Athletic wear, premium T-shirts, underwear

Stretchable & breathable prints

2. How It Works

Step 1: Fabric Prep

Use ≥70% cotton (best for discharge).

Pre-wash fabric to remove sizing agents.

Step 2: Ink Formulation

Silicone base (e.g., PolyOne VersaMax, Rutland RUTEX)

Discharge agent (e.g., Decolourant WS, Ryonet D-Base)

Catalyst (helps curing)

Mixing Ratio (Example):

Step 3: Screen Printing

Mesh: 110-160 (lower mesh = more ink deposit).

Print passes: 1-2 (avoid over-printing).

No flash drying (prevents premature discharge).

Step 4: Curing

Temp: 150-160°C (300-320°F)

Time: 90-120 sec (ensures full discharge & ink adhesion).

Step 5: Post-Wash

Wash to remove discharge residues (prevents yellowing).

3. Key Benefits

✅ Softer than plastisol discharge (no stiff feel).
✅ Stretchable & durable (won't crack like traditional discharge).
✅ Vibrant on dark fabrics (removes background color).
✅ Breathable (ideal for sportswear).

4. Silicone Discharge vs. Traditional Discharge

5. Common Issues & Fixes

6. Recommended Products

Inks:

PolyOne VersaMax Silicone Discharge

Rutland RUTEX Discharge Silicone

MagnaColours SI Discharge

Discharge Agents:

Decolourant WS

Ryonet D-Base

7. Best Applications

Sportswear: Yoga pants, jerseys (breathable prints).

Streetwear: High-end T-shirts with invisible prints.

Underwear: Tagless, ultra-soft branding.