Aquarius Bright Discharge Base ZF - 5KG
Premium water-based discharge base engineered for vibrant custom color mixing on dischargeable cotton garments, delivering bright color reproduction, excellent wet-on-wet printability, and an exceptionally soft, flexible hand.
Characteristics
Aquarius™ Bright Discharge Base ZF is a professional water-based discharge printing base designed for producing bright, soft-hand colors on suitable dischargeable garments. Part of the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ discharge system from Avient Specialty Inks, the base combines the soft feel associated with water-based printing with the vibrant color performance required for professional textile production.
Designed primarily for 100% cotton dischargeable fabrics, Bright Discharge Base ZF can be combined with Aquarius pigments to formulate a wide range of custom colors. The Aquarius discharge system supports a maximum pigment loading of 6%, and colors can be formulated using the Aquarius IMS Pantone® color-matching system.
For discharge printing, use up to 6% Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF. After adding the activator, mix thoroughly and allow approximately 10 minutes for it to dissolve, then remix before printing. Activated colors should generally be used within approximately 8 hours to help minimize potential color changes and maintain consistent print performance.
The ink is designed for efficient wet-on-wet production without flash curing. For multicolor work, discharge colors should be printed dark to light. Recommended mesh is approximately 86–230 threads/in (34–90 threads/cm), depending on the desired ink deposit and image detail.
For proper curing, cure at approximately 330°F (165°C) for 90 seconds, measured at the ink surface. Because discharge results depend heavily on the garment's dyes and construction, production fabrics should always be tested for discharge response, colorfastness, and print durability before beginning a full production run.
- Water-based discharge base for professional textile screen printing
- Produces bright, vibrant discharge colors
- Maintains an exceptionally soft, flexible fabric hand
- Designed for custom color formulation with Aquarius pigments
- Supports the Aquarius IMS Pantone® color-matching system
- Maximum recommended pigment loading: 6%
- Prints wet-on-wet for efficient multicolor production
- Flash curing is generally not recommended
- Designed for one-stroke printing when properly set up
- Water-based, non-PVC system
- Cleans up with water and mild detergent
- Available in a 5KG container size
- Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF: Up to 6%
- Aquarius Pigments: Maximum total pigment loading of 6%
- Thoroughly mix the base before use.
- Add Aquarius pigments according to the desired formulation, keeping total pigment loading at or below 6%.
- Add up to 6% Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF immediately before production.
- After adding activator, mix thoroughly, allow approximately 10 minutes to dissolve, and remix before placing the ink on screen.
- Use activated ink within approximately 8 hours for consistent color performance.
- Activate only the amount required for the production run to help minimize waste.
- Print discharge colors dark to light, wet-on-wet.
- Avoid flash curing between discharge colors when possible.
- Maintain approximately 1/16" (2 mm) off-contact and use a single controlled print stroke.
- Keep the image area from drying during production to help prevent screen blockage.
- Use a water-resistant emulsion suitable for water-based and discharge printing.
- Cure at approximately 330°F (165°C) for 90 seconds, verifying the temperature at the ink surface.
- Always test the actual garment before production because some fabric dyes will not discharge consistently.
Aquarius Bright Discharge Base ZF – 5KG is ideal for screen-printing shops producing premium soft-hand graphics, simulated process and multicolor discharge designs, custom Pantone®-matched discharge colors, fashion apparel, retail garments, and other high-quality prints on compatible 100% cotton fabrics.
It is particularly useful when vibrant color is required without leaving the heavier ink deposit associated with traditional plastisol printing.
Discharge results depend heavily on the dyes and construction used in the garment. Not every cotton garment or garment color will discharge to the same shade or brightness.
Always test the specific garment style and color for discharge response, color accuracy, colorfastness, cure, and print durability before beginning a full production run.
