And one manufacturer is shaping this movement more than most: CHT, a global chemistry innovator known for its eco-friendly, OEKO-TEX®-compliant textile chemistry solutions.
Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by CHT and represents solely my own experience with this product line. However, I want to be transparent that I have a genuine appreciation for CHT as a company and their products.
What Are Water-Based Screen Printing Inks?
Water-based inks replace harsh solvents with water as the primary vehicle. The result is an ink system that:
- penetrates the fibers instead of sitting on top,
- produces breathable, soft-feel prints,
- reduces VOC emissions,
- and cleans up with water instead of solvents.
They are especially popular in fashion, sportswear, organic textiles, and high-quality fabric printing.
Core keywords: water-based inks, eco-friendly printing, soft-hand printing, textile screen printing
A Short History of Water-Based Inks
While many think water-based inks are a modern invention, their roots go back thousands of years:
- 2500 B.C.: Egyptians use water-based pigments on papyrus.
- Medieval Europe: Manuscript illumination with watercolor-like inks.
- Early Korea: Water-based woodblock printing.
- 19th–20th century: Commercial dyes and aqueous inks evolve.
- 1930s–1950s: Resin emulsions and acrylics transform durability and vibrancy.
- Post-2000: Environmental regulations (e.g., CPSIA) accelerate global adoption.
Modern chemistry—especially from companies like CHT—has turned water-based inks into a high-performance, industrial solution.
Benefits of Water-Based Inks (and Why CHT Leads the Market)
Water-based inks deliver several important advantages:
Eco-friendly chemistry
- Reduced VOCs
- Often biodegradable
- Easy water cleanup
- Many CHT systems are OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC, bluesign®, or Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Platinum
Health & safety improvements
- No harsh solvent exposure
- Low odor
- Lower flammability risk
- Better air quality for print shops
Soft-hand & great feel
Water-based inks bind into the fibers for almost “no-feel” prints—ideal for premium fashion.
CHT’s PrintPerfekt system is specifically engineered for:
- high opacity,
- soft touch,
- excellent wash resistance,
- and a “barely-there” print feel.
High detail, vivid colors, and versatility
CHT provides:
- 26 Pantone-matching pigments
- strong bases for dark and light garments
- metallics, glitters, puff, foil adhesives, and more
Durability you can trust
When properly cured, prints demonstrate:
- excellent wash-fastness
- long-term color stability
- resistance to cracking and fading
Circular economy benefits
Water-based systems are easier to remove during paper repulping and do not rely on microplastics in many formulas.
Challenges of Water-Based Inks (and How to Solve Them)
Water-based inks come with their own learning curve. Here’s what to expect:
1. Drying in the screen
Water evaporates—fast.
This can cause clogging, but workflow changes help:
- Flood the screen after each print
- Use a retarder
- Maintain shop humidity
- Use CHT systems designed to resist drying-in-screen
- Mist screens during long runs
2. Printing on dark fabrics
Water-based inks are naturally less opaque than plastisol.
Solutions include:
- Using PRINTPERFEKT Blanc 670 or Blanc FF as an underbase
- Using discharge additives (when permitted)
- Printing multiple passes or stronger bases
3. Water-resistant emulsions required
You need a durable stencil, such as:
- Dual-cure emulsions
- Water-resistant (“permanent”) emulsions
- Hardened emulsions for long print runs
4. Curing requires airflow
Water must evaporate before the binders cure.
Best practice:
- Conveyor dryer with strong airflow
- Often 2 passes:
- 1st removes water
- 2nd cures the ink
- Use a catalyst if heat-setting isn’t possible
5. Short shelf life after mixing additives
Pot life: 4–12 hours depending on additives.
CHT Water-Based Ink Systems Explained
CHT offers an organized, highly adaptable ecosystem for screen printers.
PrintPerfekt Series (Standard Water-Based Inks)
PRINTPERFEKT Blanc 670
A highly opaque white for underbases and direct prints.
PRINTPERFEKT CLEAR
A transparent base for pigment mixing and high-detail printing.
PRINTPERFEKT LAC 77
A covering base designed for fine-mesh printing and detailed work.
These are ideal for:
- everyday screen printing
- light-to-medium opacity needs
- fine detail on white or light garments
PrintPerfekt FF Series (Phthalate-Free)
The FF series carries blue labels, is phthalate-free, and meets OEKO-TEX® standards.
PRINTPERFEKT CLEAR FF
PRINTPERFEKT BLANC FF
PRINTPERFEKT LAC FF
Perfect for brands requiring:
- strict compliance
- children’s clothing
- export-grade safety standards
Transparent & Binder Systems (for White or Pale Fabrics)
PRINTPERFEKT 226 EC
A binder for soft-hand, fashion-style prints.
PRINTPERFECT BASE FF
For transparent prints and pigment addition.
Great for:
- premium lightweight garments
- ultra-soft fashion prints
- tonal prints on white fabric
Special Water-Based Inks from CHT
CHT also specializes in high-performance special effects:
CHT AQUAFLEX (Transfer Ink for PET Film)
- For water-based heat transfers
- Crisp edges, bright colors
- Strong wash resistance
PRINTPERFEKT EX-AR (Puff Ink)
- Expands during curing
- Creates raised, textured effects
PRINTPERFEKT AM 1 (Blocker)
- High coverage blocker for dye migration
- Ideal for polyester garments
TRANSLAC BOND 55 (Foil Adhesive)
- Strong, durable foil adhesion
- Works with standard foil application systems
If you want variety, CHT delivers it.
The Future of Water-Based Printing with CHT
CHT is shaping the future with:
Advanced hybrid systems
- Print Perfect Hybrid System (only 2 products for both screen + digital printing)
Water-based UV-curable chemistry
Combining fast curing with eco-benefits.
Bio-based pigments and binders
Reducing carbon footprint even further.
Climate-neutral goals
CHT aims for climate neutrality by 2045, expanding into:
- packaging
- labels
- digital inkjet
- industrial printing sectors
Their ongoing R&D focuses on:
- preventing drying in the screen
- improving cure times
- boosting color vibrancy
- improving stability and shelf life
Final Thoughts: Why CHT’s Water-Based Inks Matter
Water-based inks have come a long way—from ancient pigments on papyrus to highly engineered, eco-friendly chemistry systems used in global textile production.
CHT stands out because:
- their inks meet modern sustainability standards,
- they perform exceptionally well across all substrates,
- and they offer one of the most complete water-based ecosystems on the market.
Choosing water-based inks from CHT isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a commitment to cleaner printing, safer production, and a more sustainable future.
