Aquarius High Solids Base - 20KG
High-opacity water-based discharge white engineered for bright, soft-hand printing on dischargeable cotton garments, delivering excellent opacity, wet-on-wet performance, and a soft, flexible finish.
Characteristics
Zodiac™ Aquarius™ Bright Discharge White ZF is a professional water-based discharge ink designed to produce bright, opaque white prints while maintaining the exceptionally soft hand associated with discharge printing. It is intended primarily for 100% cotton, dischargeable fabrics and can be used as a stand-alone white, underbase, or highlight white.
When combined with Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF, the ink removes or alters compatible garment dyes during curing while depositing white pigment in the printed area. This allows decorators to produce bright graphics on dark garments without building the heavy ink layer typically associated with conventional opaque printing.
The Aquarius discharge system is designed for efficient production and supports wet-on-wet printing without flash curing. Avient recommends printing discharge colors from dark to light, with Bright Discharge White printed in the final position. The system is designed to maintain a soft, flexible fabric feel after printing.
For activation, use Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF at up to 6%. Mix thoroughly, allow approximately 10 minutes for the activator to dissolve, then remix before printing. Once activated, the ink should be used within approximately 8 hours to minimize color-change and performance issues.
Important: Discharge results depend heavily on the garment dye and fabric construction. Always test each garment style and color for discharge compatibility before beginning production.
- High-opacity water-based discharge white
- Produces bright white prints on suitable dischargeable garments
- Exceptionally soft, flexible hand
- Designed primarily for 100% cotton dischargeable fabrics
- Suitable as a stand-alone white, underbase, or highlight white
- Supports wet-on-wet multicolor printing
- Flash curing is generally not recommended or required
- Works with Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF
- Water-based, non-PVC and non-phthalate formulation
- Designed for professional textile screen printing production
- Available in a 20KG container
- Always test the garment for discharge compatibility before production. Garment dyes can vary significantly and may produce different discharge results.
- Add up to 6% Aquarius Discharge Activator ZF and mix thoroughly.
- Allow approximately 10 minutes for the activator to dissolve, then remix before placing the ink on press.
- Only activate the amount of ink required for production because activated ink should generally be used within approximately 8 hours.
- Use a water-resistant emulsion suitable for water-based and discharge inks.
- Use approximately 1/16" (2 mm) off-contact.
- A single print stroke at medium speed is recommended as a starting point.
- Keep the ink moving during production to help prevent drying in the screen.
- Clean the image area if the press will remain idle to help prevent water-based ink from drying in the mesh.
- For multicolor discharge printing, print wet-on-wet from darker colors toward lighter colors.
- Print Bright Discharge White in the final position when used in a multicolor discharge sequence.
- Avoid unnecessary flashing between discharge colors.
- Cure at approximately 330°F (165°C) for 90 seconds, measured at the ink surface.
- Adjust dryer settings as needed based on garment weight, airflow, belt speed, and dryer configuration.
- Always perform wash and durability testing before beginning a production run.
- Use adequate ventilation during curing because the discharge reaction can generate vapor, smoke, and odor.
- Premium soft-hand prints on dark cotton garments
- Fashion and retail apparel
- Bright white discharge graphics
- Vintage and lightweight print effects
- Multicolor wet-on-wet discharge printing
- White underbases for compatible printing systems
- Highlight white applications
- High-volume textile screen printing
Discharge results depend heavily on garment dye and fabric construction. Some garment colors and fabrics may discharge poorly or produce unexpected shades. Always test each garment style and color before production.
Adequate ventilation should be used during curing because the discharge reaction can generate vapor, smoke, and odor.
