Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink Gallon White - Soft Hand, High

In this review the Speedball fabric screen printing ink in the 128 fl oz (gallon) white is assessed for studio screen printers and small production shops seeking a reliable textile ink. The bottom line: this ink is for artists who want vibrant, opaque white coverage with a soft hand and simple cleanup; its greatest strength is consistent workability across cotton, polyester and blends, producing permanent results once heat set and washing well when cured properly.

Key Features

• Color range: Available in 25 rich colors including fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark options to expand creative palettes for multi-color runs.
• Fabric compatibility: Formulated for cotton, polyester, blends, linen and rayon so it works reliably across common garment fabrics.
• Soft hand: Prints cure to a super soft feel on fabric, keeping prints comfortable to wear rather than stiff.
• Coverage and opacity: The white delivers strong coverage and opacity, useful as an underbase or standalone print on darker garments.
• Easy cleanup: Non-flammable and solvent-free, the ink cleans up with soap and water, simplifying post-print maintenance.
• Permanence: Permanent once properly heat set or cured, giving prints good washfastness and durability.

Who It's For

The Speedball fabric ink is well suited to hobbyists, art students and small print shops that need a dependable white ink for overlays, underbases and one-color prints on a variety of textiles. Its easy cleanup and lack of strong solvents make it a practical choice for classroom or studio environments where ventilation and hazardous waste handling are concerns.

Those who need to print on nonporous fabrics such as nylon should look elsewhere, as the formula is not recommended for nonporous surfaces. Large commercial operations that require specialized industrial inks for extremely high-volume production or specific plastisol characteristics may prefer other trade formulations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Bright, opaque white that provides excellent coverage and works well as an underbase.
• Soft final hand on fabric, so garments remain comfortable after printing.
• Easy soap and water cleanup and no offensive odors, which is convenient for shared spaces.
• Permanent when heat set and compatible with many fabric types including blends.

Cons

• Viscosity opinions vary: some users find the ink thick and may need to thin it for certain screens or finer detail.
• Not recommended for nonporous fabrics like nylon, so application is limited to porous textiles and paper/cardboard.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Speedball white fabric ink is a solid choice for artists and small shops that need opaque white coverage, a soft hand and straightforward cleanup. Its versatility across common textiles and permanence after proper heat setting make it good value for studio use, though printers wanting thinner flow may need to adjust viscosity for fine-detail work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this ink be used on polyester?
Yes, the formula is suitable for polyester and polyester blends, though proper curing is required for permanent results.

How do you clean screens after printing?
Because the ink is water-cleanup, screens and tools can be cleaned with soap and water when the ink is still wet; cured ink will require screen reclaiming methods.

Is this safe to use indoors?
The ink is non-flammable and contains no offensive smells or solvents, making it more studio-friendly than solvent-based inks, but good ventilation is still recommended.