Frequently Asked Questions

We sell two types of ink for printing onto T-Shirts, Plastisol ink or Waterbased ink.

WPS is an official distributor of Union Inks - we sell the full range of Maxopake, Mixopake and Solvent based inks. Click here to access the Union Inks Colour chart.

Plastisol inks are most commonly used in screen printing because they are not 'air-dry' inks and when producing longer print runs they will not dry up on the screen. There is more choice when choosing your plastisol inks, more colours and also additives that can be added to your plastisol ink to produce special effects such as puffer/expanding (raised) effect, suee effect, lycra additive, glitters and also metallics.

Plastisol inks MUST be fully heat cured before washing to avoid the print coming off in the wash. Plastisol inks wrap around the fibres in the fabric, sitting on top of the fabric producing a more 'dense' appearance and have a rubbery feel to them. You can change the appearance and feel of the plastisol ink by using an extender base or a super smooth base so as it feels and looks like the water based ink or sublimation ink. Plastisol inks cannot be ironed directly over, due to the plastisizer in the ink. Plastisol inks must be cured at a temperature of 150degreesC (For more information about curing Plastisol inks, please see 'Curing your print').

For further information on Plastisol inks please click here to open our factsheet.

We have also put together a set of guidelines for using additives with Plastisol ink, click here to open the guide

The waterbased ink is like a dye that changes the colour of the fabric and has a sublimation appearance. Waterbased inks have a softer feel as the ink dyes the fabric as opposed to 'sitting on top' of the fibres, has an almost non-existant feel to it. Waterbased inks are widely used in schools and colleges and also on babies clothing as are economical. One important factor you must remember, if you are printing an all-over print on to a garment that needs to be ironed such as a cotton shirt then a water based ink would be more suitable as you can iron over the print.

When printing breast size logos (9cm x 9xm approx), waterbased or plastisols can be used but you cannot iron directly over a plastisol print as it will re-melt the plastisol and smudge. Water based ink can be printed onto dark colours with high opaque white ink, however the other standard colours will need a white underbase printed down first.

Only you will know what sort of design work, images (large/small) you will be printing and designing, this can determine which one of the two to use.

A lower number means a coarser mesh count, a higher number means a finer mesh count. You will need to select the correct mesh count for the artwork you have produced.

43T is used most commonly for general textile printing.

Here is a guideline for you to help you choose the correct mesh count:

10T/15T/21T: A Course mesh count for use with Glitter Inks.

32T: Recommended for printing opaque white/light colours onto dark fabric to allow maximum opacity.

43T: Recommended for general textile work, printing light on dark, dark on light.

55T/61T: Recommended for general textile work but with some finer detail/line work.

77T/80T: Textiles; smooth and light fabric, Half-Tone, General.

90T/110T: Textiles; extremely light material, Graphics, General.

120T/140T: Process work.

160T: Photographic work.

For additional Mesh Guidelines please Click here to open the document.

Yellow mesh absorbs more light and stops light scattering, this mesh is commonly selected on the higher mesh counts. We sell Sefar mesh yellow and white, PET1500, the white and yellow mesh count we sell is great for fine halftones with highest resolution and has the greatest possible exposure latitude with unsurpassed protection against light-undercutting.

Our emulsion is a 2-Part emulsion. PRE-Sensitized, the emulsion can last between 12-24 months. Once sensitzed, the emulsion can last between 6-8 weeks. You can mix only half the emulsion wth half of the sensitizer, only mix what you require to prolong the shelf life of the emulsion.

For more guidelines regarding mixing emulsion click here to open the document.

Using our 1000watt halogen exposure unit setup, it will take 20 minutes to expose your screen, with the unit set at the minimum distance (light to screen).

For more exposure guidelines please click here to open the document.

Subdued light will be great if you can have this setup, however, our emulsion is the best on the market and WILL allow you to expose your screen successfully in natural daylight conditions.

'D' Cut Squeegees are used for T-Shirt printing, the tapered edge allows maximum ink deposit onto your garment. Square edge blade allows for lesser deposit of ink and is used widely on higher mesh counts and finer prints.

When a kit is purchased, upon delivery, you will also receive an email with a Step by Step guide, alignment instructions for your press and also assembly instructions (For our 2,4 or 6 Colour Carousels).

YES, we can, please contact us for more information, either by email or by telephone

If you would like to return an item for refund, we accept returns within 7 days of delivery and shall refund the full price of the item, minus any postage amounts paid.

We must be notified within 7 days of receipt of delivery of any damages. Please note that all chemicals / inks are packaged individually in plastic bags and all items bubble wrapped for protection and to minimse waste if the carton was to split / damage in transit.

If an item you receive is damaged e.g. spillages or breakages, in order for us to process the claim to minimse any delays and inconvenience to you and subsequently send a replacement, we must receive a photograph of the goods in the state / packaging they were received as evidence of the damage. If in the photograph it is clear that the damaged item cannot be salvaged (inks / chemicals), we will happily replace the damaged item for you or replace the amount that cannot be salvaged. Please note that if a photograph is not sent as proof of damage, the parcel must be returned to us in 7 days in order for us to process the claim.

In the unlikely event of damage to larger electrical items / printing presses, the above policy applies although we will happily arrange collection for you

All electrical / press items come with a 12 month back to base warranty. If you have a faulty item which is out of warranty any repairs (parts & labour) are charged at cost.

If you do experience a problem or have any other enquiries, please contact us and we will do everything to help you. (Please see 'Contact Us' page).