If you’ve been running online stores, printing team orders, or just trying to keep up with the ever-growing pile of 50/50s, tri-blends, and mystery poly garments, you’ve likely asked:
“Will this ink cure properly without scorching the fabric?”
Or worse—
“Is this going to ghost on that dark polyester?”
It might be time to make the switch to low cure inks. Let’s break down the benefits, drawbacks, and key things to know about this modern ink solution.
Top Benefits of Low Cure Inks
1. Lower Cure Temps = Lower Energy Bills
Low cure inks cure between 270°F–290°F, compared to standard plastisol inks which typically require 320°F. That 30–50 degree drop can translate into real energy savings—especially if you're running your dryer all day.
2. Better Curing Confidence on Blends & Polyester
With so many garments in team stores and online fulfillment orders being 50/50, triblends, or polyester, you need an ink that fully cures without overheating or dye migration. Low cure inks reduce the risk of dye migration and help prevent scorching lightweight fabrics.
3. Ideal for Shops with Small Electric Dryers
If you’re working with a small conveyor dryer or even a tabletop model, hitting 320°F consistently can be a struggle. Low cure inks offer peace of mind by ensuring full cure at lower belt speeds and lower dryer temps.
4. Great Versatility Across Garment Types
One ink line. Many garment types. Low cure inks simplify production because they can be used confidently across cotton, cotton/poly blends, and many synthetics without switching formulas or worrying about ghosting.
5. Easy to Print – Not Like the “Old Polyester Inks”
Gone are the days of rock-hard polyester inks that fight the mesh. Today’s low cure formulas are buttery smooth, print across a wide range of mesh counts, and don’t require special handling or tricky additives.
Consider These Before Switching
Price
Low cure inks can be more expensive per gallon than standard plastisol. But the savings in energy and reduced misprints on specialty garments can balance it out over time.
Limited Color Range
Most low cure lines stick to basic, high-opacity team colors-reds, blues, whites, blacks, yellows. Specialty or fashion colors may not be available without custom mixing.
Ink Gelling In Screen
Low cure inks can run into problems gelling in the screen. This tends to happen on longer runs when the platens get too hot and start giving off residual heat to the screen. Special car needs to be taken to keep the platens cool enough during the run.
Wet-on-Wet Printing
Standard cure inks often perform better for wet-on-wet printing with less build up.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Use Low Cure Inks?
Low cure inks are a smart solution for:
- Printers working with blended or synthetic garments
- Shops running online stores or school/team orders
- Businesses with smaller electric dryers
- Anyone looking to save on energy costs without sacrificing print quality
They're not just for poly, they’re not hard to use, and they’re not just a gimmick. With a bit of planning and the right expectations, they could be the system upgrade your shop needs.
Need help picking the right low cure ink line for your press and garments?
Let’s talk! We carry several low cure options from top manufacturers—and we’ve tested them in real-world jobs.
