Low Cure Screen Printing Inks: What They Are and Why More Printers Are Switching
By Jordan Wood, Business Development – Kissel + Wolf Australia
Every screen printing shop is different.
Some printers focus on high-volume garment production. Others specialise in fashion brands, promotional apparel, workwear, or contract printing. Different equipment, different garments, and different production goals all shape how a shop runs day to day.
One question I hear more often than almost any other lately is:
“Should we be using low cure inks?”
The honest answer is that it depends on your workflow. But as more print shops look for ways to improve efficiency, cut energy use, and reduce production issues, low cure inks have become a genuinely practical option rather than a niche one. Here's what they are, and why I'm seeing more printers make the switch.
What Are Low Cure Screen Printing Inks?
Low cure plastisol is formulated to fully cure at a lower temperature than conventional plastisol.
Standard plastisol typically needs a curing temperature of around 160°C. Many low cure formulations, by comparison, are designed to fully crosslink somewhere between 127°C and 138°C.
That gap might look small on paper, but it shows up throughout the whole production process, not just at the dryer.
Why Cure Temperature Matters So Much
Curing is one of the most important stages in screen printing, and it's also one of the easiest to get wrong.
If an ink doesn't fully cure, the print can crack, wash out, or fail well before it should. Over-curing brings its own problems too, particularly on heat-sensitive garments. Every production manager I work with wants consistent curing, because inconsistent curing is what leads to expensive reprints, wasted garments, and downtime nobody budgeted for.
Lowering the cure temperature gives a shop more room to work with while still reaching a fully cured, durable print, provided the ink is run according to the manufacturer's recommendations rather than pushed to the lower edge of its range.
Why More Printers Are Making the Switch
In my experience working with print businesses across Australia, the decision to move to low cure rarely comes down to one single benefit. It's usually a combination of a few operational advantages that tips the decision.
Lower energy consumption.
Running conveyor dryers at a lower set point generally uses less energy across a full production run. For shops printing high daily volumes, even a modest drop in oven temperature adds up to a meaningful saving over time.
Faster production flow.
A lower cure temperature can shorten the gap between flash curing and final curing, which helps garments move through the line more efficiently, particularly on longer runs where keeping throughput consistent really matters.
Better handling of heat-sensitive garments.
Modern apparel isn't limited to standard cotton tees anymore. Performance fabrics, polyester blends, lightweight garments, and technical textiles all need more careful heat management. Lower cure inks reduce the thermal stress placed on these fabrics, which helps minimise issues like dye migration, fabric distortion, heat marks, and shrinkage on more sensitive materials.
Greater production flexibility.
A lot of shops print a genuinely wide variety of garments through the day. Rather than reworking production around different curing requirements for each one, a low cure system can simplify the workflow by giving you more flexibility across multiple garment types, which makes scheduling and planning noticeably easier in a mixed production environment.
Are Low Cure Inks Right for Every Shop?
Not necessarily.
Like any production decision, the right answer depends on your workflow. If your current process is already delivering reliable curing, solid productivity, and minimal garment issues, there may be no pressing reason to change it.
But if you're seeing rising energy costs, recurring heat-related garment issues, growing production volumes, more polyester or performance apparel coming through the door, or a general need to tighten up production efficiency, low cure is worth a proper look.
The goal was never simply to cure at a lower number. The goal is a production process that delivers consistent, repeatable results with fewer compromises along the way.
Choosing the Right Ink Is About the Entire Workflow
One mistake I occasionally see is evaluating inks in isolation.
In reality, ink performance depends on the entire production system.
Mesh selection.
Stencil quality.
Squeegee setup.
Dryer calibration.
Flash settings.
Garment type.
Every stage contributes to the final print.
That's why selecting the right consumables should always be considered alongside the rest of your workflow—not as a standalone purchasing decision.
Final Thoughts
Low cure inks aren't replacing conventional plastisol because they're newer.
They're becoming more common because they solve practical production challenges for many modern print shops.
Every business has different production requirements, so there isn't a universal answer.
The important question isn't:
"Should everyone switch to low cure inks?"
It's:
"Does low cure technology support the way your shop prints?"
When the answer is yes, the benefits often extend well beyond curing temperature.
Looking at Low Cure Inks for Your Production?
If you're reviewing your screen printing workflow or considering low cure inks for future production, the Kissel + Wolf team can help you evaluate the right solution for your business.
Whether you're printing fashion apparel, workwear, promotional garments, or contract production, we'll help you select consumables that suit your workflow—not someone else's.
