The new Permaset Aqua is a 100% Solvent free water based ink that demonstrates qualities unheard of even with normal textile inks that usually contain 10, 20 or even 30% distillates.

The first, most obvious benefit to the new Aqua product is the low odor. Upon feeling a garment printed with Permaset Aqua, most are surprised by its softness of handle. This softness and drape is due to industry leading polymer technology. Less obvious, but also related to the polymer technology is outstanding adhesion the print achieves, even to synthetic and stretch fabrics.

Many times printers have resisted a switch from a pvc-based inks to a water-based system because of convenience and a lack of a performing alternative. Choosing environmental responsibility precluded their ability to create professional quality prints. Through continuous engineering and strict pigment selection, Colormaker has been able to create a solvent free ink with incredible color yield and vibrancy.

Durability

Generally, a soft print displays poor durability to wash tests.

The polymer that has been developed by Colormaker is both soft to the touch and amazingly strong. In one test, Permaset Aqua prints on cotton lycra were run through thirty commercial wash cycles at 140 degrees F, severely damaging the unprinted area of the garment. Protected by the polymer, the printed area showed little to no effect.

No Additives Necessary

Permaset Aqua’s ultra-fine polymer creates excellent adhesion on both conventional and synthetic fabrics without any additives. Many times, a printer applies an additive for one job based on the fabric he will use. The more additives that are employed, the further corrupt the ink becomes.

Permaset Aqua has simplified this immensely as it performs on cotton, Lycra, synthetics, stretch fabrics, even wool. All with good softness, adhesion, rub and wash-fastness and all with no additives.

Pigment

Pigments have been meticulously selected for light fastness. All pigments score significantly on the Blue Wool Scale.

Selecting its colors from the edges of the color wheel gives Permaset Aqua tones maximum brightness and vibrancy. This allows the smallest range to be able to create the maximum number of colors.

By engineering polymers down to a sub-micron particle size, Permaset Aqua prints are extraordinarily soft. The small polymer size binds the color more permanently, giving higher color yield, increased transparency, with greater vibrancy.

Finer particles allow printers to use a higher mesh screen. By increasing color yield, less ink is required to create the same color opacity. The result is two-fold. One, less ink laydown means a softer print. Secondly, less ink to run through a drying chamber means less of an impact on the environment.

Open Screen Time

Lack of open screen time is one of the biggest hurdles many printers face when switching from PVC-based ink to a water-based system. While Permaset cannot replicate the plastic-like qualities of a plastisol, Colormaker has made significant strides in this area.

In Summary

Permaset Aqua gives exceptional softness and incredible adhesion to a full range of natural and synthetic fibers with excellent wash and dry clean durability. It’s versatility virtually eliminates the need for additives – all with formaldehyde levels below the strictest of standards.