White Underbase

What Is a White Underbase in Screen Printing?

When printing on dark garments, a white underbase is your secret weapon. It’s a foundational layer of white ink laid down before your actual design colors go on. Think of it like priming a wall before painting - it helps your colors stay true, vivid, and impactful. Without this underbase, colors like pastels, neons, or even pure white can sink into the fabric, losing their intensity. The result? A dull, washed-out print that doesn’t match your original vision. If you're selling print-on-demand apparel, knowing how a white underbase works can mean the difference between a standout product and a customer return.

Why Does a White Underbase Matter?

Dark-colored garments like black, navy, or forest green absorb ink differently than lighter fabrics. Without a white base, your design might look muted or even distorted. A white underbase solves that by creating a clean, opaque surface for your inks to sit on.

Here’s what it brings to the table:

• Color accuracy - Ensures your designs appear exactly as intended, no matter the garment color.
• Visual impact - Makes lighter tones pop and pastel colors shine.
• Print longevity - Improves ink adhesion, helping designs last longer after washes.
• Professional quality - Prevents ink from bleeding into dark fibers, keeping edges sharp and details crisp.

For POD sellers, this consistency builds customer trust and cuts down on refund requests. What they see on your mockup is what they get in the mail.

How the White Underbase Process Works

Here’s a quick walkthrough of how a white underbase fits into the screen printing workflow:

1. White Layer First – A solid layer of white plastisol ink is printed only in the areas your design covers.
2. Flash Cure – This base is quickly cured (dried) to create a smooth, ink-ready surface.
3. Color Application – Your full-color design is printed on top of the white underbase.
4. Final Cure – The entire print is heat-set to permanently bond the inks to the fabric.

Plastisol ink is often used for its high opacity and excellent durability. It delivers bold results without flooding the fabric, which helps maintain a clean, professional finish.

Does a White Underbase Affect the Feel of the Print?

Yes - and that’s actually a good thing. A properly applied white underbase allows printers to use fewer layers of ink on top, resulting in what's called a "soft hand" feel. This means the print remains flexible, lightweight, and comfortable to wear, even with high-detail graphics.