A white underbase is a layer of white ink printed underneath a design to help colors appear more vibrant, accurate, and visible, especially on dark or colored surfaces.
White underbases are used across different printing methods whenever the base material could affect how the printed colors look. The exact way an underbase is applied depends on the printing technique and the product being printed, but the goal is always the same: to prevent the material color from dulling or altering the design.
Why is a white underbase needed?
When printing directly onto dark or colored fabrics, inks are partially transparent. Without a white layer underneath, colors can appear muted, washed out, or inaccurate because the fabric color shows through.
A white underbase acts as a neutral foundation that allows the printed colors to stay closer to their intended appearance.
When do we apply a white underbase?
We apply a white underbase when a design is:
- Colorful and printed on a dark or colored fabric
- White or includes white details
- Completely black and printed on a black or very dark gray garment, which helps preserve detail and texture in the print
The need for a white underbase is determined automatically based on the design and the product being printed.
How does this work in DTG printing?
In Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, a white underbase is commonly used when printing on dark garments. The white ink is printed first, and the colored inks are printed on top of it to ensure the final design looks vibrant and detailed.
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