Why does water-based gravure ink feel softer?

The reason is the fundamental difference between these inks. Plastic alcohol, as you might imagine, is based on plastic. It consists of PVC particles or other polymers suspended in a plasticizer. It's essentially liquid plastic. When heated to high temperatures (or cured), it becomes a solid. Therefore, plastic printing is a layer of solidified plastic that sits on top of the fabric.
While not completely plastic-free, water-based inks are mostly water-soluble and absorbed by the fabric. When this ink cures, the water-based solvent evaporates, leaving only the coloring adhesive compound - less ink deposits than the plastisol. The hand is very soft on some water-based prints and looks just dyed fabric. The soft feel of water-based ink on dark clothing is often achieved with the help of another ink...
Release:
This ink is usually associated withWater-based gravure inkUsed together, it leaves nothing behind - in fact, it takes something away.
Discharge inks contain a chemical (formaldehyde) that bleaches dyes from clothing. It is especially useful for dark or colored clothing - but only works effectively on 100% cotton. When you "drain" the dye from your clothes, you are creating an (almost) white undertone.
On the other hand, printing dark clothing (or should I say heavier hands) requires a layer of white ink to create an opaque undertone to print bright colors. Even before all the colors are superimposed on top, it can make the print effect heavier. There are diluents and techniques to reduce ink deposition, but truly soft prints are the exception, not the rule.
water-basedGravure inkThe softer, lighter feel between the two inks was successfully achieved.