Discharge printing

• A bleaching agent is added to water-based inks, which removes the colour from the garment precisely where the ink sits so that the pigment settles onto a neutral colour. This happens in the dryer when the ink reaches the required temperature.
• The results can be excellent with 'thin' ink deposits and fairly vibrant colours. This contrasts with the thick deposit required with plastisols to achieve the required brightness.
• Plastisols will always win on brightness but many designs were created to look 'vintage' and this is where discharge printing can become relevant.