CCI Spot Black Water-Based Ink | EnviroLine® High-Opacity Ready-to-Use Black for Cotton Screen Printing — Thicker Viscosity, Long Run Stability, Fine Detail Through High Mesh
CCI
CCI Spot Black is a high-opacity, ready-to-use water-based black ink — the opaque black that sits alongside the D-FLO® fluorescent discharge system for shops running mixed discharge + opaque black workflows. It is also a standalone professional water-based black for any shop that needs maximum opacity, long run stability, and fine detail through high mesh. EnviroLine® certified — phthalate-free, PVC-free. No activator. No discharge chemistry. Thicker viscosity than standard water-based inks for excellent screen stability during long runs. Print directly on light and medium garments (cotton, 50/50 blends). Cure 320°F.
💡 Workflow tip: Use Spot Black as the black in a D-FLO® fluorescent discharge design — print Spot Black direct (no activator) for the black elements, print D-FLO® colors (with activator) for the fluorescent elements. Two-screen workflow produces professional mixed-technique prints.
⚠️ Not a discharge ink: Spot Black prints ON TOP of the fabric surface — it is not discharge. For opaque black on dark garments, use over a white underbase or use as part of a discharge workflow. For true discharge black (soft hand on dark cotton), discharge black prints as very dark gray, not opaque black.
✓High-Opacity Ready-to-Use Black — No Activator
✓EnviroLine® Water-Based, PVC-Free
✓Thicker Viscosity for Long Run Stability
✓Fine Detail Through High Mesh
✓Cotton & 50/50 Blends
✓Cure 320°F / 90 Seconds
✓Not a Discharge Ink — Direct Surface Print
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX
Price range: $24.99 through $3,099.99
Description
CCI Spot Black — High-Opacity Water-Based Black for Professional Screen Printing
CCI Spot Black is the professional standard water-based black for shops running water-based and discharge programs. It delivers the opacity and print quality that black-intensive designs demand — thick enough for long run stability, thin enough for fine detail through high mesh, and formulated for consistent performance job after job. It is not a discharge ink — Spot Black prints on the fabric surface like any water-based ink, without discharge chemistry or activator. In mixed workflows, it pairs naturally with D-FLO® fluorescent discharge colors: print the black elements with Spot Black, the fluorescent elements with activated D-FLO®, and cure everything together in one pass.
Key Features
⬛
High Opacity Ready-to-Use Black
Maximum opacity straight from the container — no mixing, no activator, no base required. Open the bucket, flood the screen, print.
📏
Thicker Viscosity
Deliberately formulated thicker than standard water-based inks for long run stability — stays put in the screen, maintains consistent ink deposit through long production runs without thinning or bridging.
🎯
Fine Detail Through High Mesh
Low-viscosity-enough for high mesh counts — prints fine typography, detailed halftones, and tight artwork through 200–305+ mesh with clean edge definition.
🔗
D-FLO® Compatible Workflow
The natural black companion to D-FLO® fluorescent discharge colors — print Spot Black elements without activator alongside activated D-FLO® elements in mixed-technique discharge designs.
🌿
EnviroLine® PVC-Free
Phthalate-free, PVC-free, low odor. EnviroLine® certified. Safe for children’s apparel production, CPSIA compliant, eco-conscious brand programs.
🪣
Volume Pricing
Available from quart through 55-gallon drum — making it practical for high-volume shops that print black on every job.
💡 Using Spot Black in a D-FLO® Discharge Workflow
When printing a design that combines fluorescent discharge colors with black elements, D-FLO® fluorescent discharge inks handle the neon colors (with activator), and Spot Black handles the black elements (no activator, no discharge chemistry). The workflow:
- Set up separate screens: D-FLO® colors with activator / Spot Black with no activator
- Print wet-on-wet (D-FLO® colors first, Spot Black last, or as design dictates)
- Keep prints moist before the dryer (critical for the D-FLO® discharge elements)
- Cure everything together — one dryer pass at 320°F for 90 seconds minimum
- The D-FLO® elements discharge and embed in the fiber; the Spot Black cures as opaque surface print
Note: Always test your specific garment and artwork before production — wet-on-wet with mixed discharge and non-discharge inks requires attention to ink order and squeegee pressure.
Spot Black vs. Discharge Black — Understanding the Difference
| Feature | CCI Spot Black (This Product) | Discharge Black (CCI D-Base + Black pigment) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | High-opacity water-based surface ink — no discharge chemistry | Discharge ink + activator — removes garment dye |
| Result | True opaque black on the fabric surface | Very dark charcoal gray — NOT opaque black |
| Hand Feel | Soft but with surface ink film (standard WB feel) | Zero hand — embedded in fiber |
| Activator? | No — print as-is | YES — Discharge Activator 3–6% required |
| Dark Garments | Print over white underbase for visibility on darks | Prints direct on dark cotton (but cures dark gray) |
| Best For | Opaque black spot color, black text, black graphic elements | Soft-hand neutral or dark tone in discharge workflow |
All CCI Discharge Fluorescent Products
| Color | UV/Blacklight Effect | Top Market Uses | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Yellow | Glows electric yellow-green under UV/blacklight | Safety and hi-vis apparel, rave/festival, athletic wear, streetwear |
 | Hot Pink | Blazes hot pink under UV/blacklight | Women’s athletic and fashion apparel, streetwear, festival and rave wear, concert merch |
 | Magenta | Electric magenta/fuchsia under UV/blacklight | Fashion and streetwear, festival apparel, concert merch, specialty graphic tees |
 | Violet | Vivid electric violet/purple under UV/blacklight | Festival and rave apparel, streetwear, specialty graphic tees, concert merch |
 | Blue | Brilliant electric blue under UV/blacklight | Athletic and sports apparel, festival wear, streetwear, team uniforms |
 | Green | Electric lime/neon green under UV/blacklight | Safety and hi-vis apparel, rave/festival, outdoor athletic, environmental and nature brands, streetwear |
 | Orange | Blazing neon orange under UV/blacklight | Safety and hi-vis apparel, construction and workwear, athletic gear, festival/rave, streetwear |
 | Tangerine | Warm neon orange-amber under UV/blacklight | Fashion and streetwear, festival apparel, athletic gear, promotional and lifestyle brands |
 | Spot Black ← This Product | No UV effect — high-opacity opaque black | Discharge workflow black accent, standalone spot black on any garment |
Questions about water-based printing?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | CCI Spot Black Water-Based Ink (EnviroLine®) |
| Brand | CCI (Colorcon Inc.) |
| Type | High-opacity ready-to-use water-based black — NOT a discharge ink |
| Formulation | EnviroLine® — Phthalate-free, PVC-free, CPSIA Compliant, low odor |
| Discharge Activator Required? | NO — print as-is, no activator, no discharge chemistry |
| Opacity | High — designed for maximum opacity without stacking multiple passes |
| Viscosity | Thicker than standard water-based inks — for long run stability and consistent deposit |
| Substrates | 100% cotton and 50/50 blends. On dark garments: print over white underbase. |
| Mesh Count | Compatible through high mesh (200–305+) for fine detail work |
| Cure Temperature | 320°F (160°C) for 90 seconds minimum |
| Emulsion | Water-resistant emulsion recommended for long runs |
| Open Time Extender | Add up to 5% CCI EnviroLine® Retarder for extended open time |
| Cleanup | Water (general), CCI EnviroSolv® (on-press cleaning) |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon, 5 Gallon, 55 Gallon Drum |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What makes CCI Spot Black different from standard water-based black?
Spot Black is formulated with higher viscosity and greater opacity than standard water-based blacks — designed for long run stability on press and maximum black opacity without running thin or requiring multiple passes. It maintains consistent ink deposit through long production runs without bridging or drying in the screen.
Do I need Discharge Activator with Spot Black?
No — Spot Black is NOT a discharge ink. It is a standard high-opacity water-based black that prints on the fabric surface. No activator, no discharge chemistry. Use Spot Black as-is straight from the container.
Can I use Spot Black alongside D-FLO® fluorescent discharge inks?
Yes — this is a primary use case. Print the black elements of your design with Spot Black (no activator) and the fluorescent color elements with activated D-FLO® inks in the same job. Cure everything together in one dryer pass. The D-FLO® elements discharge and embed in the fiber; Spot Black cures as the opaque surface black. Always test your wet-on-wet ink order before production.
Can I print Spot Black on dark garments?
Spot Black prints on the fabric surface — it is not discharge. On dark garments, print Spot Black over a white underbase for visibility. If you want an ultra-soft black on dark cotton with discharge feel, use CCI D-Base + Black pigment + Discharge Activator — but note that discharge black cures as a very dark charcoal gray, not true opaque black. Spot Black produces true opaque black on a white underbase.
Why is Spot Black thicker than my other water-based inks?
The higher viscosity is intentional — it provides long run stability on press, maintaining consistent ink deposit through hundreds or thousands of prints without running thin or requiring frequent ink additions. It also delivers better opacity with a single pass than thinner formulations.
Questions about water-based printing?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
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