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Mastering Difficult Fabrics: Expert Silicone Ink Solutions by SOLLYD
As a source manufacturer with over 30 years of R&D expertise, we provide more than just premium silicone ink—we engineer complete screen printing solutions. Find the perfect base layers and parameters for your specific fabric, or let our lab formulate a custom ink system tailored for your production.
Polyester Fabrics
Lattice Performance
100% Polyester
Lattice Lite Performance
100% Polyester
Heather Marquis Performance
100% Polyester
Bird Eye Mesh
100% Polyester
Warp Knit Fabric
100% Polyester
Microfiber Fabric
100% Polyester
Recycled Polyester Fabric
100% Recycled Polyester
Sublimation Polyester Fabric
100% Polyester
Nylon Fabrics
Nylon Jersey
100% Nylon
Nylon Tricot
100% Nylon
Nylon Mesh
100% Nylon
Nylon Taffeta
100% Nylon
Ripstop Nylon
100% Nylon
Nylon Oxford
100% Nylon
Nylon Performance Fabric
100% Nylon
Nylon Activewear Fabric
100% Nylon
Stretch Fabrics
Butterfly Mesh 4-Way Stretch
92% Polyester / 8% Spandex
Polyester Spandex Fabric
90% Polyester / 10% Spandex
Nylon Spandex Fabric
80% Nylon / 20% Spandex
Lycra® Fabric
Polyester / Lycra®
Compression Fabric
Nylon / Spandex
Yoga Wear Fabric
75% Nylon / 25% Spandex
Legging Fabric
Nylon / Spandex
Swimwear Fabric
82% Nylon / 18% Spandex
Dancewear Fabric
Nylon / Spandex
Athletic Stretch Fabric
Polyester / Spandex
Cotton Fabrics
Cotton Jersey
100% Cotton
Combed Cotton
100% Cotton
Ring-Spun Cotton
100% Cotton
Organic Cotton
100% Organic Cotton
Cotton Pique
100% Cotton
Cotton Interlock
100% Cotton
Cotton Spandex Fabric
95% Cotton / 5% Spandex
Cotton French Terry
100% Cotton
Cotton Fleece
100% Cotton
Cotton Blend Fabrics
Poly Cotton Fabric
65% Polyester / 35% Cotton
CVC Fabric
60% Cotton / 40% Polyester
Tri-Blend Fabric
Cotton / Polyester / Rayon
Cotton Modal Fabric
Cotton / Modal
Cotton Polyester Spandex
Cotton / Polyester / Spandex
French Terry Blend
Cotton / Polyester
Fleece Blend Fabric
Cotton / Polyester
Mesh Fabrics
Butterfly Mesh
Polyester / Spandex
Bird Eye Mesh
100% Polyester
Athletic Mesh
100% Polyester
Hex Mesh
100% Polyester
Air Mesh
100% Polyester
Power Mesh
Nylon / Spandex
Spacer Mesh
100% Polyester
Performance Mesh
100% Polyester
Performance Fabrics
Moisture Wicking Fabric
100% Polyester
Quick Dry Fabric
100% Polyester
Cooling Fabric
Polyester / Spandex
Athletic Performance Fabric
Polyester
Running Fabric
Polyester
Training Fabric
Polyester
Compression Performance Fabric
Nylon / Spandex
UV Protection Fabric
Polyester
Outdoor Fabrics
Softshell Fabric
Polyester / TPU
Waterproof Fabric
Polyester + PU Coating
Windproof Fabric
Polyester
Outdoor Performance Fabric
Polyester
Hiking Fabric
Nylon / Spandex
Ripstop Fabric
Nylon / Polyester
Trekking Fabric
Nylon
Outdoor Stretch Fabric
Nylon / Spandex
Sustainable Fabrics
Recycled Polyester
100% Recycled Polyester
Organic Cotton
100% Organic Cotton
Bamboo Fabric
Bamboo Viscose
Modal Fabric
Modal Fiber
TENCEL™ Lyocell
100% Lyocell
Recycled Nylon
100% Recycled Nylon
Eco Performance Fabric
Recycled Polyester
Technical Textiles
Oxford Fabric
100% Polyester
Ripstop Fabric
Nylon / Polyester
Reflective Fabric
Polyester + Reflective Coating
Neoprene Fabric
Synthetic Rubber
Industrial Fabric
Polyester
Protective Fabric
Polyester / Aramid
Safety Fabric
Polyester
Composite Fabric
Multi-Fiber Construction
Technical Reference: Choosing the Right Ink System & Parameters
A quick guide for production managers to optimize mesh counts and select the best SOLLYD chemistry for specific print effects.
| Print Effect / Requirement | Recommended Ink System | Mesh Count (Metric: T/cm) | Technical Notes |
| High-Density (3D) Sharp Edges | Silicone | 43T – 54T | Use thick capillary film for fast vertical build-up. Cure between layers. |
| Ultra-Soft / Zero Hand-Feel | Eco-Plastisol / Water-Based | 100T – 120T | Ideal for wet-on-wet printing on light garments. Excellent breathability. |
| High-Elongation (Activewear) | Silicone | 43T – 61T | Ensures print stretches seamlessly and snaps back without cracking on Spandex/Lycra. |
| CMYK / Halftone Dots | Eco-Plastisol | 120T – 140T | Holds ultra-fine details and gradients without drying or blocking the screen. |
| Puff / Raised Effect | Silicone / Plastisol | 32T – 43T | Apply with lighter squeegee pressure. Leave room for ink expansion during the curing process. |
| Anti-Migration (Dye Blocking) | Silicone | 43T – 54T | Print 2 layers as an underbase to trap dispersed polyester dyes before applying top colors. |
| Waterproof Nylon Adhesion | Silicone | 43T – 54T | Requires specialized adhesion promoters. Catalyst mixing ratio is critical for bonding to DWR coatings. |
| Metallic / Glitter / Pearl | Silicone / Plastisol | 24T – 32T | Coarse mesh is mandatory to allow metallic flakes and glitter particles to pass through smoothly. |
| Heat Transfer Labels (HTL) | Silicone | 43T – 54T | Print onto PET release film. Requires linker/crossover agents and hot melt powder for garment adhesion. |
Precision Formulation & Quality Control
Physical Lab Dips (Drawdowns): We don’t rely on guesswork. We send physical wet ink samples or printed strike-offs on your specified fabric for your team to test and approve before bulk production begins.
Strict Pantone® Verification: For digital approval, we provide high-resolution photos of the cured print under standardized D65 lighting, placed side-by-side with your target Pantone Solid Coated code.
Locked-in Batch Consistency: Once a custom color formulation is approved, the exact recipe is locked in our system. We guarantee that your 100th bucket will match your 1st bucket flawlessly.
Fabric Printing FAQ
Answers for printing on waterproof nylon, sublimated polyester, high-stretch activewear, cotton, and fleece fabrics.
Q1: Ink peels off easily from waterproof nylon and DWR coated fabrics. How do you solve this?
A: Standard inks cannot penetrate waterproof coatings. SOLLYD solves this with our specialized Nylon Underbase Silicone (RG-1520A/B). It contains advanced adhesion promoters that chemically bond to smooth, waterproof, and tightly woven nylon fibers, providing an unbreakable foundation for subsequent color layers.
Q2: Will curing the silicone ink damage the waterproof coating of the garment?
A: No. Our silicone systems for outerwear are designed to cure at optimal temperatures, typically 100°C – 120°C for short durations. This ensures full cross-linking of the ink without melting synthetic fibers or degrading the DWR performance of the jacket or fabric.
Q3: Can your inks pass strict wash tests on smooth fabrics like windbreakers and swimwear?
A: Yes. When paired with our specific catalysts (curing agents), SOLLYD silicone inks pass the rigorous 50+ cycle dynamic wash tests required by top tier global sportswear brands, ensuring zero peeling or cracking.
Q4: Do I need a different colored ink for nylon versus cotton?
A: No. Our ultra-concentrated color pastes are universally compatible with all SOLLYD silicone base layers. You only need to change the clear underbase, such as RG-1520 for nylon and RG-2670 for cotton. This modular system saves significant inventory costs.
Q5: Dye migration is turning my white prints pink on dark polyester. How does SOLLYD stop dye bleeding?
A: Dye migration is stopped using our Anti-Sublimation Base Layer (RG-2666T) or by adding our Anti-Migration Additive (SI-3030). These products create a chemical barrier that traps the fabric’s dispersed dyes, preventing them from bleeding into the top color layers during the heat-curing process.
Q6: Does your anti-migration base make the print feel thick and stiff?
A: Traditional carbon-based dye blockers are thick and grey, altering the hand-feel. SOLLYD’s advanced anti-sublimation silicone is highly transparent, flexible, and requires fewer strokes to build an effective barrier, maintaining the premium soft touch required for athletic wear.
Q7: Can I use low-temperature curing inks on sensitive polyester to avoid shrinkage?
A: Yes. In addition to silicone, we offer the SDL Series (Low-Temperature Plastisol). These inks cure at significantly lower temperatures, preventing fabric shrinkage and minimizing the risk of dye sublimation altogether.
Q8: Prints on Spandex and Lycra yoga pants keep cracking. What is the solution?
A: For high-stretch fabrics, standard plastisol or water-based inks will fail. SOLLYD’s High-Elongation Silicone Inks (RG-2666 / RG-2999) are engineered specifically for activewear. They offer extreme elasticity, stretching seamlessly with Spandex or Lycra without cracking.
Q9: Does the ink recover its shape after extreme stretching?
A: Yes. SOLLYD silicone possesses excellent memory. After dynamic stretching, the print snaps back to its original shape immediately without warping, sagging, or distorting the brand logo.
Q10: We manufacture seamless underwear. Can your silicone bond directly to the fabric without stitching?
A: Absolutely. Our Underwear Bonding Silicone (RG-7217A/B) is designed specifically for seamless garments. It provides a soft, Q-elastic bond between fabrics, replacing traditional stitching or steel wires while offering ultimate comfort and durability.
Q11: Are your stretchable inks breathable for performance athletic wear?
A: Unlike heavy PVC plastisol that blocks airflow, our silicone inks can be printed in very fine layers or halftone dots using our NB Series. This maintains the fabric’s natural breathability and moisture-wicking properties, which is crucial for performance wear.
Q12: How do you prevent cotton fibers from poking through the ink (fibrillation)?
A: Fibrillation makes prints look faded and rough. We recommend using our Matte Pressing Silicone (RG-7058) or a high-density clear base to press the fibers down flat during the first print stroke. This creates a smooth canvas for brilliant, sharp top colors.
Q13: We want a "zero-hand-feel" water-based look on cotton tees, but need higher opacity. What should we use?
A: We highly recommend our NB Series (PVC-Free Plastisol). It mimics the ultra-soft, breathable feel of water-based inks but offers the superior opacity, ease of printing, and screen-stability of plastisol. It's perfect for premium vintage or retail-ready cotton tees.
Q14: Can your inks create 3D High-Density effects on heavy fleece or hoodies?
A: Yes. Our High-Density Silicone (RG-2660M-3) builds thick, sharp, and durable 3D right-angle edges very quickly. It sits perfectly on top of heavy fleece without sinking into the fabric, providing a luxury branding effect.
Have a Difficult Fabric? Let Our Lab Solve It.
Fill out the form below with your specific fabric details and print requirements. Our technical experts will recommend the exact silicone ink system you need, or formulate a custom solution and send you samples for testing.