What Is SilTex® GR Silicone Ink?
SilTex® GR Silicone ink is a two-component silicone ink designed for screen printing on fabric and apparel, including t-shirts, jodhpurs, tights, and other textile goods. It’s made with high-purity silicone polymers, which is what gives the SilTex® GR Silicone ink prints their distinctive characteristics: a rounded, high-gloss finish, excellent flexibility, and a rubbery, tactile feel on cotton and other textiles that plastisol simply can’t replicate.
Key Features of GR Silicone Ink
High gloss with a rounded finish. GR Silicone ink prints don’t just sit flat on the fabric – they have a rounded, dimensional look and a glossy finish that gives designs a premium feel.
Extreme flexibility. Because silicone is inherently stretchy, GR Silicone ink flexes with the garment instead of cracking or peeling, which matters for anything from a fitted t-shirt to performance textiles that see a lot of movement.
Safe and compliant. GR Silicone ink is BPA-free and formulated to be inert and safe for direct skin contact, which is an important consideration for screen printing on apparel.
Broad fabric compatibility. GR Silicone ink is suited to cotton, wool, polyester, and performance textile blends, making it a versatile choice whether you’re printing casual apparel or technical sportswear.
Ready to use – no toner mixing required. Unlike many traditional silicone screen printing inks, GR Silicone ink doesn’t require mixing separate toners into a base before you can print. It comes ready to use: simply add the SXT catalyst, and print. This helps ensure consistent color from batch to batch.
Built for production speed. GR Silicone ink‘s viscosity is specifically adapted for use on automatic cylinder presses and semi-automatic presses, so it fits into higher-volume production environments without requiring special handling.
Why Choose Silicone Ink Over Plastisol?
Silicone inks like the SilTex® GR Silicone ink have grown in popularity because they solve some long-standing frustrations with plastisol printing. Silicone-printed garments hold up to repeated washing and everyday abrasion without cracking or fading, even under demanding conditions. The finish also gives designs a richer, more expensive look and feel – something brands increasingly want as they compete on garment quality, not just design.
There’s also a sustainability angle. As more apparel brands look to reduce their environmental footprint, silicone inks are seen as an important tool for aligning textile printing with the industry’s broader sustainability goals, all while giving designers a look and texture that plastisol can’t match.
Where GR Silicone Ink Excels
GR Silicone ink is a strong fit for:
- T-shirts and general apparel printing
- Jodhpurs, tights, and fitted performance wear
- Cotton, wool, polyester, and ploy-blend wear
- Shops running automatic or semi-automatic cylinder presses
How to Print with SilTex® GR Silicone ink
Getting started with the GR Silicone ink is straightforward:
- Add SXT Catalyst to the ink
- Load the ink and print as you normally would
- Cure according to the recommended time and temperature for a durable, long-lasting finish
Because there’s no toner to mix in beforehand, the process is faster to set up and easier to keep consistent than many traditional silicone inks on the market.
A Complete Silicone Ink Lineup from Boston Industrial Solutions
GR Silicone ink is part of Boston Industrial Solutions’ broader SilTex® family of silicone screen printing inks, which also includes formulations built for specialty applications – from anti-slip ink for socks and gloves to high-grip ink for equestrian apparel. If the GR Silicone ink isn’t the exact match for your fabric or application, there’s a good chance another SilTex ink is built for it.
For screen printers looking to move beyond plastisol without sacrificing durability, feel, or production speed, SilTex® GR Silicone ink offers a straightforward upgrade – vibrant, flexible, long-lasting prints with a process that’s designed to fit right into your existing production line.
Want to see how SilTex GR performs on your fabric? Reach out to the Boston Industrial Solutions team to talk through your specific printing application.
