Print screen prints on textiles
Silicone Screen Printing Inks for Textiles
Discover professional silicone screen printing inks for textiles (t-shirts, sportswear, socks) with high elasticity, wash resistance, and low curing temperatures. Below you'll find practical options for each brand, along with explanations.
CHT – ALPAPRINT & ALPATEC Series
ALPAPRINT NG series – Modern silicone printing inks with high elasticity and wash resistance. The ideal workhorse for general textile printing.
ALPATEC 30143 A/B – Silicone ink for anti-slip prints with fine lines and a 1:1 mixing ratio. Perfect for sports and sock applications or grip effects.
ALPATEC 30203 A/B – For soft, tacky (grip) topcoats or special effects.
Tip: Start with ALPAPRINT NG as a base and top coat system; add ALPATEC for anti-slip or tacky effects.
WACKER – Silicone Coating Systems
WACKER supplies silicone systems and additives for textile coatings (ELASTOSIL®, HDK®, VINNOL®) and publishes information on silicone applications on technical textiles. Please note: WACKER does not offer ready-to-use textile screen printing inks such as CHT or specialty ink brands.
Recommendation: For ready-to-print inks, it's best to choose CHT or a dedicated ink brand. If you absolutely must use WACKER, discuss a coating/ink recipe based on ELASTOSIL® with them through partners.
Polytek
Not recommended for textile screen printing. Polytek specializes in mold making and casting (silicone for molds, casting) and does not supply silicone screen printing inks for textiles.
Nano Tech Chemical Brothers – SILME Series
SILME series (e.g., SILME 5500) – Silicone textile inks with high stretch, high density, and gloss/glitter options. Developed with hide-out/blocker bases to prevent dye migration on sublimated and polyester fabrics.
Tip: Use SILME 5500 as a topcoat for shine and high-density effects. Combine it with their blocker/hide-out base on (sublimation)polyester.
Quick Setup for Silicone Screen Printing
Always follow the TDS (Technical Data Sheet) of the chosen system:
- Base/Underbase: Silicone base (possibly blocker/hide-out on polyester)
- Color layer: Pigmented silicone base
- Top layer/Effect: Matte, gloss, high-density or anti-slip (e.g. CHT ALPATEC or Nano Tech SILME effect inks)
- Curing: Low-temperature silicone curing according to TDS for optimal washing and stretching resistance
Silicone textile inks are popular because of their low cure temperature, high wash fastness, and excellent elasticity – ideal for durable, professional textile prints.
Concrete Recipes for Silicone Screen Printing on Textiles
These combinations are used worldwide for sportswear, T-shirts, stretch fabrics and high-density prints.
🧩 1. Basic Recipe – CHT Silicone Printing System
Use: Standard silicone screen printing on cotton, polyester or blends
Purpose: Soft, elastic print with high washing fastness
Products
- CHT ALPAPRINT NG Base – 2-component, addition-curing silicone ink base
- CHT ALPAPRINT NG Catalyst – Hardener (1:1 mixing ratio)
- CHT ALPAPRINT NG Pigment – Color concentrates, dose ±3–8% to the desired shade
- CHT ALPATEC 30143 A/B – Optional top layer or anti-slip silicone for grip or 3D effect
Recommended Recipe
| Component | Weight parts |
|---|---|
| ALPAPRINT NG Base | 100 |
| ALPAPRINT NG Catalyst | 100 |
| Pigment | 5–8 |
Process settings
- Screen: 43–77T mesh depending on desired layer thickness
- Squeegee angle: 60° – medium hardness
- Curing: 120–130 °C, 2–3 min or 150 °C, 1 min
- Option: Flash gel 80–100 °C between layers
- Washing resistance: Up to 60 °C after complete crosslinking (24 h)
✓ Advantage: Flexible, matte satin surface, good stretch and adhesion, also on polyester blends (use "blocker base" for sublimation-sensitive fabrics).
✨ 2. High-Density of Glossy Effect – Nano Tech Chemical Brothers SILME Series
Use: 3D, high-density, glossy or glitter silicone print
Purpose: Decorative prints with high relief and gloss, ideal for fashion or sportswear
Products
- SILME 5500 Base – 2-component silicone base (high-density / glossy)
- SILME Catalyst 5500 – Hardener (1:1 ratio)
- SILME Color Paste – Pigment Concentrate (3–5%)
- SILME Blocker Base 5100 – Undercoat against dye migration in polyester
- SILME Matte/Gloss Additives – Optional for finish control
Recommended Recipe
| Component | Weight parts |
|---|---|
| SILME 5500 Base | 100 |
| SILME 5500 Catalyst | 100 |
| Color Paste | 5 |
| (optional) Gloss additive | 2 |
Method
- Underbase: Press SILME 5100 Blocker Base, cure 120 °C × 1 min
- Main print: 2–3 layers of SILME 5500 mix, flash gel 90 °C × 5–10 s between layers
- Final cure: 150 °C × 1–2 min (or 120 °C × 3–4 min)
- Cooling and testing for stretchability
✓ Advantage: Highly elastic, high volume, glossy surface, excellent adhesion to cotton, polyester, spandex and blends.
⚙️ 3. Matte "Soft-Touch" Effect – CHT + Nano Tech Combination
Use: Subtle, flexible silicone print for premium shirts or yoga/sportswear
Recipe
| Component | Weight parts |
|---|---|
| CHT ALPAPRINT NG Base | 100 |
| CHT ALPAPRINT NG Catalyst | 100 |
| Nano Tech SILME Matte Additive | 3–5 |
| Pigment | 3–5 |
Curing: 130 °C × 2 min
Effect: Matte, soft, elastic layer with excellent grip
🧰 Practical Tips for Silicone Screen Printing
- Mixing: Mix homogeneously before printing; use a soft spatula or mechanical mixer at low speed
- Pot life: Approx. 4–6 hours at 25 °C (depending on system)
- Cleaning: Use silicone thinner or naphtha-free solvent
- Compatibility: No tin-cure or PVC-containing products nearby (inhibits curing)
Ready to get started with professional silicone screen printing? Discover our complete collection of silicone inks and additives for textiles.