InkTek RO Mixing Black Plastisol Ink – Custom Color Creations

How much black do I add to darken a color?

Much less than you expect. Black is extremely strong, so add it in very small amounts on a scale and check the drawdown before adding more — it is easy to overshoot and very hard to come back.

Can I print RO Black straight from the can?

Yes. It is a finished, press-ready ink as well as a mixing component, so it prints as a solid black on its own.

Will RO work with the formulas I already have?

The RO system is matched shade-for-shade to the industry’s most widely used 18-color low-cure mixing system, with the same 18-color structure, so weight-based formulas built on that structure carry across. Mix your most-used formulas first and pull drawdowns alongside your current ink before converting production. We can help — send us your formulas.

What temperature does RO cure at?

280°F across the entire ink film, held at or above temperature for 5–10 seconds. It is a low-cure plastisol, so it can run on the same design as standard 320°F inks — just cure to the higher requirement. Verify cure with a donut probe rather than a surface reading.

Can I print it straight from the can?

Yes. Every RO color is a finished, press-ready ink balanced for viscosity. Print it as-is, or weigh it into a formula with other RO colors.

What mesh counts work best?

110–305 threads per inch, at 25–35 N/cm² tension. Lower counts lay more ink for opacity; higher counts hold detail. Unsure what mesh is on your screens? Use a mesh count determiner.

Can I print it on polyester?

Yes, with care. The system performs best on 100% cotton. On polyester and blends, print over a low-bleed white or bleed blocker to control dye migration, and do not overshoot time at temperature.

What about stretchy fabrics?

For lycra, spandex and performance stretch, add a stretch additive or print over a stretch underbase. See our additives and special effects.

How should I mix colors accurately?

By weight on a scale — zero the container, add each component to its target weight, and mix thoroughly. Weight is far more repeatable than volume. For larger batches, an ink mixer saves time and gives a more consistent blend.

Which size should I buy?

Buy a quart to sample and pull drawdowns, then move to gallons or 5-gallons for production. Switching the whole ink room? The RO mixing system kit gets you all 18 colors at once.

How fast does it ship?

In-stock orders placed by 3:30 PM CT ship the same day, with free shipping over $200 and free in-store pickup at our San Antonio location. See our store policies for details.

Call (512) 454-0505 or toll-free (855) 841-9733, email [email protected], or message us on Tidio. More how-to in our articles and videos.