Waterbase and discharge inks are soft and usually impossible to feel on garments.* They’re the same inks but the discharge versions have an additive that removes the dye in the fibers of garments and replaces it with the new color (or leaves the natural color of the cotton if no color is added). It’s a clean, soft, breathable print.

If you’re concerned about the plastic-feeling, make-your-back-sweaty-in-the-summertime, thick ink that shirts often have, then discharge is for you! It’s some sexxy stuff.

But note! The final appearance of discharge inks sometimes vary from print run to print run, and even throughout the run itself in rare cases. It’s just the nature of the fabric content of the shirt and the dyes used, which may cause print colors to shift. It’s some wild stuff. If color consistency and accuracy is your priority, we recommend plastisol.

*Here’s a bunch more info in case you want to know more about the advantages and disadvantages of discharge inks.