Screen Printing Pantone Coated or Uncoated? EXPLAINED

When I started screen printing I was introduced to Pantone coated and uncoated color formula guide swatches.  This is a tool that is critical in achieving the exact colors desired when screen printing.

So what is the difference between Pantone coated and uncoated? In regards to screen printing inks, Pantone coated means glossy or shiny ink sitting on the top of the paper(similar to using a primer in painting). Pantone uncoated means it is duller and absorbed into the paper and not as rich(similar to not using a primer).

Many new screen printers learn quickly, that mixing inks is a process that must be done slowly and precisely.  You will need to add inks one at a time, in the right ratio to arrive at the desired color. Otherwise, you will get a totally different shade than expected which is not uncommon.  This also depends on if your combination is mixed thoroughly.

Pantone coated means it is less absorbent and Pantone uncoated is more absorbent.  In screen printing, the most commonly used is the Pantone coated due to the shine on those colors.

Reasons Why Pantone Color Guides Are Necessary?

Usually, when a t-shirt design starts it begins on a computer.  The colors chosen in the artwork might be the actual desired colors.  There comes the problem. A color chosen off a computer screen from your computer will not match exactly to your screen printers computer screen when they open your file.  

The reason why these guides are used is to obtain accurate colors on the final product.  Colors must be chosen in this manner because a digital reference may appear different from screen to screen.  This just helps reduce mistakes and other problems down the line.

For example, if the customer wants a specific red and sends a design file with that particular color in mind.  I then receive that file and the red I get on the other side appears a shade or two off from the original color.  Possibly due to my screen brightness or any number of other factors that would affect the appearance of the colors.

Instead, the Pantone color guide is used as a color reference for screen printers.  Since it is just a number code it can be forwarded through multiple people without any problems.  

As long as the person has a Pantone color guide, they will know exactly what color the client wants with the corresponding color number.  Depending on which brand ink you are using you will have that swatch.

Each brand will have tools like an online color mixing calculator to generate formula values for each amount of ink needed in each color.  You can then weigh out each one to mix and create the new color.

Color Theory In Screen Printing

Spot colors are special colors other than cyan, magenta or yellow that require mixing a certain ratio or inks.  The more spot colors are used the more expensive a single print can get.

Our primary colors red, yellow, and blue.  When you mix a combination of the two you get secondary colors.  These colors are orange which is made up of red and yellow, green is made of yellow and blue, and purple is made of blue and red.  After that is tertiary colors: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple.

In the RYB color model is subtractive meaning light is being reflected off of something.  On the other side, the RGB color model color is additive which means the color is being illuminated from a light source.  The 3 variables that affect color are hue, saturation, and lightness/value.

Tools Needed In Measuring and Mixing Inks

You will use ink spatulas to add in different ink colors in different formulations.  Usually to a tenth of a gram into a single container. Most inks have an online calculator to let you know what combination of colors is needed and in what ratio.  

Some need bases and pigment inks most of the time in primary colors to formulate all the other colors.

 Tips To Follow When Mixing Inks

Tips are to always use a clean ink spatula so you do not contaminate the inks you are mixing.  First, put an empty container on a gram scale and tare it. It should now read “0.0.”

Then add the ink colors to the calculated amount to the container and tare the scale each time.  But do not mix them until all weights are correct. Just in case you need to remove a small amount because too much was added. You can add or remove with the clean ink spatula.

Now thoroughly stir the inks together to get a smooth consistency and single shade of color throughout.  Making sure to mix all the inks touching the side walls of the container. I like to use a clear container so I can see that everything has blended.

To check if the final color is correct you should apply the mixed ink to a substrate.  After that check the reference color to see if the color is correct. If it is not then the color needs to be adjusted before.    

Related Questions

Are there different types of ink for screen printing?

Plastisol Inks have a high opacity and do not dry out as quickly as other inks while on the screen.  Flexibility and durability are a few other traits that this type of ink carries. This is a very popular option.

Water Based Inks have a lower opacity than plastisol inks and saturate the garment instead of laying on top of it.  This causes a soft hand feel that you would get less of with plastisol. Here are a few more differences between the two.  

Because it does not sit on the top of the fibers the opacity will not be as bright as plastisol. It can instead be duller and more transparent.  Can give you a burnout look if desired.

Discharge Inks are available in both water-based and plastisol.  It leaves out the dye and instead uses pigmented ink. A key element with this type of ink is that it only works on 100% cotton garments.  

How long is the shelf life of textile inks?

It depends, they can last for several years if they are kept in proper storage conditions.  Those conditions being in dark locations and in moderately cool temperatures.

The inks may get stiff after a while and require some vigorous mixing, either with a spatula or on the screen with a squeegee to get the smooth consistency.  From my experience, the ink performs well for a long time even after it has already been opened.

How do you clean ink from screens?

First, you will have to squeegee excess ink off of the screen.  Put it back in a specific container just for that color for later use.  Or you can dump it into a single container with other inks and you can create a color-rich black ink.  This is just a combination of all colors to produce a dark shade of black. This is a way to reduce ink wastes.  

The next step you will spray a product called screen wash onto the dirty screen. This chemical will break down the ink making it easier to clean off.  After this, you will need to collect the leftover waste and dispose of it. The rules and methods of disposal will vary depending on your location.

Cleaning your screens is necessary to keep your screen mesh open.  Ink will clog these pores on the mesh, making it harder to clean out the next time you set up your screen.

How much ink does it take to print a single t-shirt?

This really depends on the size of the image being printed.  If there are multiple print locations on the t-shirt. As well as the screen mesh that is being used. One other factor is if you are doing a one stroke or a multiple stroke method on that design.  Rough estimates would be $0.05-0.15 per shirt. Usually on the lower end of that scale.

More ink for a darker garment due to the need for an underbase.  An underbase is a white layer of ink, which is the first coat on a dark colored t-shirt.  The purpose of this layer is to make all the colors to pop more or appear brighter.

If you just printed colors directly on the t-shirt without the underbase it would not appear as bright.  The darkness of the material will affect the appearance of the ink color.