Top 10 T-Shirt Printing Ink Manufacturers in China

China is one of the world's major manufacturing centers for T-shirt printing ink, textile screen printing ink and garment printing materials.

From basic cotton T-shirts to performance sportswear and high-elasticity fashion garments, different fabrics and printing effects require very different ink technologies.

A cotton fashion T-shirt may use water-based ink for a soft hand feel. A dark garment may require high-opacity plastisol or high-density ink. Sportswear containing polyester or spandex may need highly elastic silicone ink, while customized short-run production may use DTF or DTG pigment ink.

For international buyers, choosing the right T-shirt printing ink manufacturer in China therefore depends on more than price.

The supplier should understand the fabric, printing process, curing conditions, required elasticity, opacity, wash resistance and final appearance of the printed garment.

This guide introduces 10 representative Chinese manufacturers and suppliers serving different areas of the T-shirt and textile printing ink market.

This is an editorial supplier guide based on publicly available manufacturer and product information. It is not an official ranking based on revenue, production volume or market share.

Top 10 T-Shirt Printing Ink Manufacturers in China at a Glance

1. XG Silicone

Company Profile

XG Silicone is a Chinese manufacturer specializing in silicone materials for textile screen printing.

Its manufacturing system includes Ganzhou Xinguang Silicone Co., Ltd. and Huizhou Yirun Silicone Co., Ltd.

Ganzhou Xinguang Silicone was established in 2007, while the Huizhou operation was established later to improve international customer service and export efficiency. The company describes itself as a source manufacturer specializing in screen-printing silicone raw materials.

Unlike general-purpose ink manufacturers that primarily serve packaging, plastics or paper printing, XG Silicone has a strong focus on textile and garment printing applications.

Main T-Shirt Printing Ink Products

XG Silicone's product range is centered on silicone screen printing ink.

Typical applications include:

T-shirt printing silicone ink

High-density silicone ink

Matte silicone ink

Glossy silicone ink

Heat-transfer silicone ink

Puff silicone printing

Embossing effects

Anti-slip silicone printing

Silicone ink for sportswear

The company specifically offers silicone ink for T-shirt printing, describing it as a flexible textile printing material suitable for cotton, polyester and blended fabrics.

Why XG Silicone Stands Out

Silicone ink is particularly valuable when printed garments need to stretch repeatedly without the printed layer cracking.

This makes it especially relevant to:

Performance T-shirts

Sportswear

Yoga wear

Compression garments

Underwear

Stretch fabrics

Fashion garments

XG Silicone states that its main specialization is liquid silicone ink for textile screen printing.

Best for: T-shirt silicone printing, sportswear, elastic fabrics, high-density logos and premium garment decoration.

2. Dongguan Rui Ke Industrial / SOLLYD

Company Profile

Dongguan Rui Ke Industrial Co., Ltd., associated with the SOLLYD textile-printing-material business, is another Chinese manufacturer focused on textile screen printing chemistry.

Its published product portfolio includes plastisol ink, silicone ink and water-based textile screen printing ink, giving customers several different printing systems from one supplier.

Main Products

Relevant products include:

Plastisol screen printing ink

Silicone textile ink

Water-based textile ink

Heat-transfer silicone ink

Heat-transfer plastisol ink

Textile printing additives

Specialty printing materials

Its plastisol-related business also promotes different formulations for fabric printing and special applications.

Why Consider Rui Ke / SOLLYD?

The advantage of this type of supplier is product diversity.

A T-shirt printer may need water-based ink for one collection, plastisol for another and silicone for high-elasticity performance garments.

Working with one manufacturer that understands several textile ink chemistries can simplify sourcing.

Best for: Plastisol T-shirt printing, textile screen printing, silicone printing and multi-ink sourcing.

3. Rainbow Screen Printing Supply

Company Profile

Rainbow Screen Printing Supply is a China-based manufacturer and supplier specializing in screen printing inks and related materials.

Its textile-related product categories include fabric screen printing ink, water-based ink, plastisol ink, DTF ink and DTG ink.

Main Printing Ink Products

Its broader screen printing portfolio includes inks for:

Fabric

Plastic

Metal

Glass

Leather

Paper

The company states that it has developed hundreds of screen printing ink products and supplies both printing ink and screen printing materials.

Why Consider Rainbow?

Rainbow may be useful for customers that operate several printing technologies instead of specializing in only one type of garment ink.

A printing business producing T-shirts together with bags, promotional products or other substrates may benefit from a broader ink portfolio.

Best for: General T-shirt screen printing, fabric printing and distributors requiring multiple screen printing materials.

4. Zhongyi Ink

Company Profile

Zhongyi Ink & Paint Co., Ltd. is a Chinese screen printing ink manufacturer headquartered in Zhongshan, Guangdong.

According to the company, it was established in 1990 and produces several ink technologies including water-based, solvent-based, UV and LED-curable inks.

Main Products

Relevant products include:

Water-based screen printing ink

Solvent-based ink

Specialty screen printing ink

UV ink

LED ink

For textile applications, water-based and specialty screen printing formulations are particularly relevant.

Why Consider Zhongyi?

Zhongyi is broader than a manufacturer dedicated solely to garment ink.

That can be an advantage for industrial printers working with both textiles and other substrates.

The company also states that it supports substrate testing and customized ink solutions.

Best for: Textile screen printing businesses requiring both garment inks and broader industrial screen printing technologies.

5. Guangzhou Ledi New Material

Company Profile

Guangzhou Ledi New Material Technology Co., Ltd. is based in Guangzhou, Guangdong and produces several categories of printing ink.

Its published portfolio includes:

Water-based ink

Solvent-based ink

UV/LED ink

Specialty ink

The company was established in 2017 and describes its operation as integrating ink R&D, manufacturing and sales.

Textile Printing Applications

Its product portfolio includes water-based heat-transfer ink, water-based thick-printing materials and other flexible-substrate printing products.

These technologies can be relevant to textile decoration and heat-transfer production.

Best for: Water-based printing, textile heat transfer and specialty garment printing applications.

6. Dongguan Haiya Printing Material

Dongguan Haiya Printing Material is another supplier active in China's textile printing material market.

Its published supplier portfolio includes:

Water-based textile printing ink

Screen printing paste

Textile screen printing ink

Heat-transfer printing paste

Pigment printing materials

It markets water-based pigment textile inks for cotton fabrics and T-shirt applications, as well as specialty effects such as glitter and foil-related printing systems.

For printers seeking a softer surface compared with conventional plastisol printing, water-based textile inks can be particularly relevant.

Best for: Cotton T-shirts, water-based textile screen printing and fashion garment decoration.

7. Henan Newcolour Printing Material

Henan Newcolour Printing Material supplies a variety of printing consumables, including products for textile and heat-transfer applications.

Its listed textile products include water-based screen printing ink, high-density white ink and silicone heat-transfer ink.

This combination makes the company relevant to garment decorators that use both direct screen printing and transfer processes.

Best for: Heat-transfer printing, high-density effects and water-based textile applications.

8. Shanghai Laoan Chemical

Shanghai Laoan Chemical is positioned more strongly around pigments, printing pastes and water-based textile chemistry.

Its supplier portfolio includes:

Textile pigment ink

Water-based screen printing ink

Pigment paste

Binder

Thickener

Color paste

It lists water-based textile screen printing products designed for fabric applications.

This type of supplier can be particularly relevant to printers that formulate or adjust water-based textile printing systems.

Best for: Water-based pigment printing, cotton fabrics and textile-printing formulation.

9. Dongguan Cowint New Material

Dongguan Cowint New Material is active in textile printing materials and markets several products relevant to garment decoration.

Its listed product range includes water-based garment ink, silicone printing materials and puff/special-effect ink systems for textile screen printing.

Special-effect printing is increasingly important in fashion apparel because brands are looking beyond simple flat graphics toward dimensional and tactile decorations.

Best for: T-shirts, fashion garments, water-based printing and specialty textile effects.

10. Kenteer Digital Technology

Kenteer Digital Technology supplies materials used across garment decoration and transfer-printing workflows.

Its listed textile screen printing products include water-based high-density white printing materials intended for garment applications.

High-density printing can create raised logos, lettering and decorative elements that provide more visual and tactile impact than conventional flat printing.

Best for: High-density garment printing, T-shirt decoration and heat-transfer-related production.

What Types of Ink Are Used for T-Shirt Printing?

Choosing a manufacturer becomes easier when you first determine which type of ink your T-shirt production requires.

1. Silicone Ink

Silicone ink is especially suitable for flexible garments.

It can provide:

High elasticity

Soft touch

Strong wash resistance

Raised 3D effects

Matte or glossy surfaces

Good performance on stretch fabrics

For sportswear and high-elasticity T-shirts, silicone ink can be particularly useful.

XG Silicone, for example, specifically develops silicone materials for textile screen printing and T-shirt applications.

2. Water-Based Ink

Water-based ink is commonly selected when printers want a softer hand feel.

It is widely relevant to:

Cotton T-shirts

Fashion garments

Children's apparel

Lightweight printing

Vintage-style designs

Water-based textile inks use water as a major carrier and can provide a comparatively soft printed surface when the formulation and curing process are properly matched to the fabric.

3. Plastisol Ink

Plastisol remains an important textile screen printing technology.

Typical advantages include:

Strong opacity

Bright colors

Relatively easy screen-printing operation

Good performance on dark garments

Compatibility with special effects

Chinese manufacturers such as Rui Ke / SOLLYD supply plastisol formulations specifically for fabric screen printing.

4. DTF Ink

DTF - Direct to Film - uses digital printing technology.

The design is first printed onto a transfer film and then transferred onto the garment using heat.

DTF is especially useful for:

Customized T-shirts

Small orders

Multi-color graphics

Personalized garments

It offers a very different production workflow from conventional screen printing.

5. DTG Ink

DTG - Direct to Garment - prints a digital image directly onto the textile.

It is particularly attractive for:

Small quantities

Personalized designs

Detailed photographic graphics

On-demand T-shirt production

Silicone Ink vs Plastisol Ink for T-Shirt Printing

Both technologies can be used for garment decoration, but their properties are different.

Silicone Ink

Silicone ink is particularly strong in applications requiring:

Stretchability

Flexible prints

Premium tactile effects

Raised logos

Performance garments

It can be especially suitable for polyester/spandex sportswear and other fabrics that undergo substantial stretching.

Plastisol Ink

Plastisol is commonly valued for:

High opacity

Strong color

Easy screen printing

Broad availability

Dark-garment printing

The right choice depends on fabric composition, printing equipment, brand requirements and the final appearance of the T-shirt.

How to Choose a T-Shirt Printing Ink Manufacturer in China

Check the Fabric First

Never choose ink based only on the product name.

Tell your supplier whether the garment is:

100% cotton

Polyester

Nylon

Spandex

Cotton/polyester blend

Polyester/spandex blend

The same ink can behave very differently on different fabrics.

Define the Printing Effect

Tell the manufacturer whether you need:

Flat printing

High-density printing

Matte effect

Glossy effect

Puff effect

Embossing

Soft-hand printing

Heat transfer

Anti-slip printing

This helps the supplier select the correct formulation.

Ask About Elasticity

Elasticity is especially important for sportswear.

A printed logo may look perfect immediately after production but crack after repeated stretching if the ink does not match the fabric.

Check Wash Resistance

For commercial garments, sample printing should normally be followed by wash testing.

Evaluate:

Adhesion

Color change

Cracking

Peeling

Surface damage

Elasticity after washing

Check Curing Conditions

Different inks require different curing temperatures and times.

Always ask the supplier for recommended:

Printing mesh

Catalyst ratio

Flash temperature

Curing temperature

Curing time

Incorrect curing can cause poor adhesion even when the ink itself is suitable.

What Information Should You Send to a T-Shirt Ink Manufacturer?

Before requesting a quotation or sample, provide as much information as possible.

Ideally send:

Fabric composition:
For example, 100% cotton or 85% polyester + 15% spandex.

Fabric color:
Dark and light fabrics may require different opacity.

Printing method:
Manual screen printing, automatic screen printing, heat transfer, DTF or DTG.

Desired effect:
Flat, high density, glossy, matte, puff, embossed or other effects.

Required performance:
Elasticity, washing resistance, abrasion resistance, softness or anti-slip performance.

Production conditions:
Available curing temperature and printing equipment.

Even better, send an actual fabric sample to the ink manufacturer for testing before placing a large order.

Should You Test T-Shirt Printing Ink Before Mass Production?

Yes.

Sample testing is one of the most important steps when purchasing textile ink.

Two T-shirts described as "polyester" can have different coatings, dyes, surface treatments and stretch properties.

An ink that performs perfectly on one fabric may have adhesion or dye-migration problems on another.

A production-oriented test should evaluate:

Color

Opacity

Adhesion

Elasticity

Hand feel

Curing

Washing resistance

Abrasion resistance

Dye migration

For large garment orders, testing before production can significantly reduce printing failures and rework.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Ink for T-Shirt Screen Printing?

There is no single ink that is best for every T-shirt.

Water-based ink is often chosen for soft-hand fashion printing.

Plastisol is commonly used when strong opacity and straightforward screen printing are required.

Silicone ink can be particularly suitable for sportswear, stretch fabrics and premium high-density printing.

Which Chinese Manufacturer Specializes in Silicone Ink for T-Shirts?

XG Silicone is one of the more specialized suppliers in this guide because its main business focuses specifically on silicone materials for textile screen printing.

The company also offers a dedicated T-shirt printing silicone ink product range.

Which Ink Is Suitable for Sports T-Shirts?

For highly elastic sports T-shirts containing polyester and spandex, silicone ink is worth considering because flexibility is an important performance requirement.

Actual fabric testing is still recommended before mass production.

Can Chinese T-Shirt Ink Manufacturers Make Custom Colors?

Many textile ink suppliers provide color matching and customized formulations.

For accurate matching, buyers should provide:

Pantone reference

Physical color sample

Fabric sample

Printing conditions

The appearance of a printed color can change depending on fabric color and ink-film thickness.

Can I Get a Sample Before Ordering?

Many manufacturers provide product samples or testing support.

For professional sourcing, sending your actual fabric to the manufacturer is generally more reliable than testing only on an unrelated fabric.

Conclusion

China has a diverse supply base for T-shirt printing ink, covering silicone ink, water-based textile ink, plastisol ink, heat-transfer materials and digital garment printing technologies.

There is therefore no single manufacturer that is automatically the best supplier for every T-shirt printing factory.

For traditional textile screen printing, companies such as Rui Ke / SOLLYD, Rainbow and Zhongyi provide broad printing ink portfolios.

For water-based garment printing, suppliers including Haiya, Laoan and other textile chemical manufacturers provide relevant product systems.

For high-elasticity T-shirts, sportswear and premium textile screen printing, XG Silicone has a more specialized position because its main focus is silicone ink technology for garments and flexible textile materials.

Through Ganzhou Xinguang Silicone Co., Ltd. and Huizhou Yirun Silicone Co., Ltd., XG Silicone provides silicone printing solutions for textile manufacturers and international printing customers.

If you are sourcing T-shirt printing ink, send your fabric composition, printing method, required effect, color and performance requirements before requesting a quotation.

Contact XG Silicone for T-shirt printing ink recommendations, samples and customized textile printing solutions.