CCI D-FLO® Orange Fluorescent Discharge Ink – Soft, Bright Water-Based Ink for Screen Printers

CCI

CCI D-FLO® Orange is a ready-to-use neon fluorescent orange water-based discharge ink — the specialty product that delivers neon-bright fluorescent color with the ultra-soft, zero-hand-feel finish of discharge printing on dark 100% cotton garments. Unlike standard fluorescent inks that sit on top of the fabric and require a white underbase on dark shirts, D-FLO® discharges the garment’s dye and replaces it with the fluorescent color embedded directly in the cotton fiber. Safety orange with discharge softness — prints on dark cotton without the heavy, cracked hand of standard fluorescent plastisol. Perfect for safety workwear and hi-vis athletic where the feel of the garment matters. Requires Discharge Activator at 3–6%. 24-hour pot life. Mesh 125–355. PVC-free.

✨ Under UV/blacklight: Blazing neon orange under UV/blacklight. Activates under stage lighting, blacklights, and UV at concerts, raves, and events.
⚠️ Critical requirements: 100% reactive-dyed cotton only. Discharge Activator at 3–6% required — will not discharge without it. 24-hr pot life. Colors shift during curing — test on fully cured swatches before production.
⚡ UV/Blacklight: Blazing neon orange under UV/blacklight
Direct Print on Dark Cotton — No White Underbase
Ultra-Soft Discharge Hand Feel
⚠️ Activator Required — 3–6% by Weight
⚠️ 100% Cotton with Reactive Dyes Only
24-Hour Pot Life After Activation
Mesh 125–355/inch
PVC-Free, Phthalate-Free, CPSIA Compliant
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX

Price range: $115.91 through $499.99

Description

CCI D-FLO® Orange — Neon Fluorescent Discharge on Dark Cotton

D-FLO® Orange solves the problem that every screen printer hits when a customer wants a neon neon fluorescent orange print on a dark shirt with a soft, premium feel. Standard fluorescent plastisol requires a white underbase on dark garments — that means a heavy ink stack, a rubbery hand feel, and an underbase edge visible around the artwork. D-FLO® eliminates all of it. Discharge chemistry removes the garment dye and replaces it with neon fluorescent orange fluorescent color embedded in the cotton fiber. No underbase. No surface buildup. Just safety orange with discharge softness — prints on dark cotton without the heavy, cracked hand of standard fluorescent plastisol. perfect for safety workwear and hi-vis athletic where the feel of the garment matters.

Key Features

🌈
Neon Orange Fluorescent
Blazing neon orange under UV/blacklight. Under standard lighting, reads as a vivid neon fluorescent orange. Under UV or blacklight, it blazes. The dual-effect that commands a premium price point.
🤲
Zero Hand Feel — Discharge Softness
Discharge chemistry embeds color into the cotton fiber instead of depositing on the surface. No ink film, no rubbery layer, no surface buildup. The print feels like the fabric is the color.
🚫
No White Underbase on Dark Garments
D-FLO® prints directly onto dark 100% cotton — the discharge chemistry removes the garment dye and creates the clean base. One screen pass instead of two. No underbase edge halo around the artwork.
⏱️
24-Hour Pot Life
Longer pot life than most discharge inks — 24 hours after activation vs. the 8–12 hours typical of discharge inks. More flexibility for longer runs without wasted activated ink.
📐
High Mesh Compatible
Prints through 125–355 mesh — fine detail at high mesh with a low-viscosity formula that stays open in the screen during long runs without clogging.
🌿
PVC-Free, CPSIA Compliant
Phthalate-free, PVC-free, low odor. Safe for children’s apparel production and eco-conscious brand programs. EnviroLine® certified.

D-FLO® Orange vs. Standard Fluorescent Plastisol

FeatureD-FLO® Discharge Fluorescent (This Product)Standard Fluorescent Plastisol
Ink TypeWater-based discharge — embeds into cotton fiberSits on top of fabric surface
Hand FeelZero hand feel — softest possible print on cottonHeavy, rubbery, raised surface deposit
Dark GarmentsPrint DIRECT — no white underbase neededRequires white underbase on dark garments
UV/BlacklightBlazing fluorescent under UV and blacklightUV reactive but less intense — surface ink reflects differently
Substrates100% cotton ONLY (reactive-dyed)Cotton, blends, polyester — more versatile
ActivatorYES — 3–6% Discharge Activator requiredNo activator needed — print as-is
Pot Life24 hours after activationNo pot life limit
CleanupWater + EnviroSolvMineral spirits or solvent-based cleaner

Printing Instructions

1Garment Selection
100% reactive-dyed cotton only. Black, navy, and dark colors work best — the discharge removes the dye, creating a clean base for the fluorescent color. Test every garment brand and dye lot before production. Popular blanks: Bella+Canvas 3001, Next Level 3600, American Apparel 2001 — but always test your specific dye lot.
2Screen Preparation
Use a water-resistant emulsion — SBQ or dual-cure recommended. Post-harden the stencil for long runs to extend durability. Standard water-soluble emulsions break down under water-based inks.
3Activate the Ink
Add Discharge Activator at 3–6% by weight. Stir thoroughly. Different percentages alter discharge results — start at 4% and adjust for your specific garment. Activated ink has a 24-hour pot life — mix only what you need per session.
4Print Technique
Mesh 125–355. Use heavy pressure for best results. Print wet-on-wet without flash curing between passes. Keep an ample amount of ink on the screen. Mist with water occasionally during long runs to maintain open time.
5Keep Prints Moist
Keep prints damp/moist before entering the dryer — moisture is critical for the discharge reaction to complete during curing. Do not allow prints to dry before curing.
6Curing
Minimum: 90 seconds at 320°F (160°C). Optimal: 2–3 minutes at 340–350°F (171–177°C) with high-volume forced air. If discharge odor remains, re-cure. Always run a full wash test before production.
7Test Before Production
Wet ink color ≠ cured color — fluorescent discharge colors shift during curing. Always cure and wash a test swatch on your actual garment before committing to a production run.
8Cleanup
Water for general cleanup. CCI EnviroSolv® for on-press cleaning. CCI WB-1 for dried ink and haze removal.

⚠️ Discharge Printing Requirements — All D-FLO Colors

  • 100% cotton with reactive dyes only. Polyester, blends, and pigment-dyed fabrics will not discharge properly.
  • Discharge Activator required at 3–6% by weight. The ink will NOT discharge without it.
  • 24-hour pot life once activated — longer than most discharge inks. Mix only what you need per session.
  • Color shifts during curing — wet ink color ≠ cured color. Always test on fully cured, washed swatches before production.
  • Water-resistant emulsion required — standard water-soluble emulsions will break down during long runs.
  • Moisture before curing — keep prints moist/damp before entering the dryer for best discharge results.
  • Forced-air conveyor dryer required for full discharge cure. Flash dryers alone are insufficient.
  • Test every new garment dye lot before production — discharge results vary by brand and dye lot.
💡 Discharge note for Orange: Orange discharges cleanly on most reactive-dyed dark cotton. Very consistent results across most garment brands.

Creating Custom Colors from D-FLO® Base

D-FLO® colors can be shifted or blended for custom fluorescent shades. Add pigments or fluorescent pigments to the base:

  • Standard pigments: 1–10% by weight
  • Fluorescent pigments: up to 20% by weight for maximum intensity
  • Thinning: add up to 10% water if needed
  • Longer open time: add up to 5% CCI EnviroLine® Retarder

Always test custom blends on a fully cured, washed swatch before production — pigment additions affect discharge color shift differently than the base color.

Who Uses D-FLO® Fluorescent Discharge Inks?

🎸 Concert & Festival Merch
UV and blacklight activation creates a visual experience that photographs and videos capture dramatically — ideal for tour merchandise sold at events.
🎉 Rave & Nightclub Apparel
D-FLO® under blacklight is the defining aesthetic of electronic music culture — the fluorescent color embedded in the garment with zero surface buildup that performers and attendees demand.
👕 Streetwear & Fashion Brands
Neon discharge on dark cotton is a premium print tier — soft hand, bold color, distinctive look that commands higher retail prices.
⚠️ Safety & Hi-Vis Workwear
Yellow, Green, and Orange D-FLO® deliver safety visibility on dark workwear garments with the comfort and breathability of discharge printing.
🏃 Athletic & Performance Wear
Fluorescent discharge on cotton athletic garments — the soft hand makes performance shirts actually comfortable to wear.
🎃 Seasonal & Specialty
Halloween, events, glow parties, blacklight runs — any event where UV-reactive prints create the experience.

All CCI D-FLO® Colors + Spot Black

ColorUV/Blacklight EffectTop Market Uses
CCI D-FLO YellowYellowGlows electric yellow-green under UV/blacklightSafety and hi-vis apparel, rave/festival, athletic wear, streetwear
CCI D-FLO Hot PinkHot PinkBlazes hot pink under UV/blacklightWomen’s athletic and fashion apparel, streetwear, festival and rave wear, concert merch
CCI D-FLO MagentaMagentaElectric magenta/fuchsia under UV/blacklightFashion and streetwear, festival apparel, concert merch, specialty graphic tees
CCI D-FLO VioletVioletVivid electric violet/purple under UV/blacklightFestival and rave apparel, streetwear, specialty graphic tees, concert merch
CCI D-FLO BlueBlueBrilliant electric blue under UV/blacklightAthletic and sports apparel, festival wear, streetwear, team uniforms
CCI D-FLO GreenGreenElectric lime/neon green under UV/blacklightSafety and hi-vis apparel, rave/festival, outdoor athletic, environmental and nature brands, streetwear
CCI D-FLO OrangeOrange ← This ProductBlazing neon orange under UV/blacklightSafety and hi-vis apparel, construction and workwear, athletic gear, festival/rave, streetwear
CCI D-FLO TangerineTangerineWarm neon orange-amber under UV/blacklightFashion and streetwear, festival apparel, athletic gear, promotional and lifestyle brands
CCI Spot BlackSpot BlackNo UV effect — high-opacity opaque blackDischarge workflow black accent, standalone spot black on any garment

Browse all CCI Discharge Fluorescent products →

Questions about fluorescent discharge printing?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT

Contact Us →

Technical Specifications

SpecificationDetail
Product NameCCI D-FLO® Orange Fluorescent Discharge Ink
BrandCCI (Colorcon Inc.)
ColorOrange — neon fluorescent orange
Pantone ReferencePantone 804 C / 811 C fluorescent orange family
UV/Blacklight EffectBlazing neon orange under UV/blacklight
TypeReady-to-use water-based fluorescent discharge ink
Fabric Compatibility⚠️ 100% cotton with reactive (dischargeable) dyes ONLY
⚠️ Activator RequiredCCI D-Powder Discharge Activator at 3–6% by weight — REQUIRED
Pot Life After Activation24 hours — longer than most discharge inks
Mesh Count125–355/inch
Squeegee PressureHeavy pressure for best results
Print MethodWet-on-wet — no flash between passes
Keep MoistKeep prints damp/moist before entering dryer — moisture is critical for discharge reaction
Cure (Minimum)90 seconds at 320°F (160°C)
Cure (Optimal)2–3 minutes at 340–350°F (171–177°C) with high-volume forced air
EmulsionWater-resistant — SBQ or dual-cure recommended. Post-harden for long runs.
Custom Color AdditionStandard pigments 1–10%; fluorescent pigments up to 20%
ThinningAdd up to 10% water if needed
Open Time ExtenderCCI EnviroLine® Retarder at up to 5%
CleanupWater (general), CCI EnviroSolv® (on-press), CCI WB-1 (dried ink/haze)
FormulationPVC-free, Phthalate-free, CPSIA Compliant, low odor
Available SizesGallon, 5 Gallon
Technical DocumentsD-FLO Technical Data Sheet | Safety Data Sheet

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What makes D-FLO® Orange different from standard fluorescent plastisol?
D-FLO® is a discharge ink — it chemically removes the garment dye and embeds the neon fluorescent orange fluorescent color into the cotton fiber. Standard fluorescent plastisol sits on top of the fabric surface and requires a white underbase on dark garments. D-FLO® prints direct on dark cotton with no underbase — one screen pass, zero surface buildup, softest possible hand feel. The UV/blacklight effect is also more intense because the fluorescent pigment is in the fiber rather than in a surface ink film.
Do I need Discharge Activator?
⚠️ Yes — D-FLO® will NOT discharge garment dye without Discharge Activator. Add at 3–6% by weight and mix thoroughly. The activated ink has a 24-hour pot life. Get Discharge Activator →
Why does the color look different wet vs. cured?
All discharge inks shift color during curing — the discharge chemistry removes garment dye and replaces it with the fluorescent pigment, which reveals its final color only after heat cure. The wet ink color is NOT the final cured color. Always print a test swatch, fully cure it, and wash test before evaluating color and starting production.
What fabrics work with D-FLO®?
100% cotton with reactive dyes only. Polyester, cotton/poly blends, and pigment-dyed fabrics will not discharge properly — the chemistry only works with reactive dye chemistry in cotton fibers. Always test a specific garment brand and dye lot before production — even different dye lots of the same brand can discharge differently.
What mesh count should I use?
125–355/inch. D-FLO® has a low viscosity formula that prints through high mesh counts for fine detail. For maximum color intensity on Orange, use 125–160 mesh for a heavier ink deposit. For fine detail work, 200–305+ mesh works well.
How long does activated D-FLO® last?
24 hours after activation — longer than most discharge inks (which typically have 8–12 hour pot life). Mix only what you expect to use within a 24-hour window. Do not store activated ink for future sessions.
Can I adjust the activator percentage?
Yes — different activator percentages alter discharge results. Higher percentages (5–6%) produce more complete dye removal and brighter discharge results; lower percentages (3%) produce more controlled results. Test your specific activator percentage on your specific garment dye lot to dial in the result before production.
Does Orange shift significantly during discharge?
Orange discharges cleanly on most reactive-dyed dark cotton. Very consistent results across most garment brands. The golden rule of discharge fluorescents: cure and wash the test swatch before evaluating — you cannot judge the final result from wet ink.
Questions about fluorescent discharge printing?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT

Contact Us →

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