Difference between neon and fluorescent inks?

[Frog]

I have heard the terms used interchangeably sometimes over the years. Can someone explain the difference?
And, can we assume that ink manufacturers are on the same page?

btw, not only are Union's Neon Mixo (now Mixe) colors listed in their product guide as Fluorescents, but (at least Traffic Green) is actually relabled Maxo (for a few dollars more!)

I believe that the International Coatings inks I have are labeled fluorescent

[KevWilso]

I can't speak to all brands, but ours...  The fluorescent series is made with a high opacity base and fluorescent pigments.  Our neon series is made with a low bleed base, fluorescent pigments, and have some white mixed into them to give them better coverage. 

[Frog]

I can't speak to all brands, but ours.  Fluorescent series is made with a High opacity base and flo pigments.  Our neon series is made with a low bleed base, and have some white mixed into them to give them better coverage.

Was there a reason that you chose those labels with those ingredients, or was it just your choice of terms and ingredients, not really any industry standards?(as you implied)

[mimosatexas]

This seems to differ by brand quite a bit and i have no clue why one is labeled one way vs the other.

Kevins Flo inks are less opaque in my experience than his neons when printed through the same mesh, but the tones are deeper in a way, though appear kind of washed out without a p/f/p or super low mesh AND a p/f/p UB.  they are also super sticky.  The neons are more of a bright tone (due to the white i assume) but are much more opaque.  I print the neons just like I would any other ink and it prints great and looks great.  I hate the flo's personally, but still need them for the right color on certain jobs.

Triangle's flo's are similar to kevins (deep tone, but sticky, require p/f/p base and low mesh for opacity), and I have not tried a comparable neon (do they even offer neon vs flo?)

One stroke has a bunch of flo's that act more like kevin's neons, opaque and brighter vs deeper tone.  I think they also have neon, but again I have not compared.

[KevWilso]

I can't speak to all brands, but ours.  Fluorescent series is made with a High opacity base and flo pigments.  Our neon series is made with a low bleed base, and have some white mixed into them to give them better coverage.

Was there a reason that you chose those labels with those ingredients, or was it just your choice of terms and ingredients, not really any industry standards?(as you implied)

We sold the regular fluorescent inks for years, and our customers always wanted to not have to under base.  So we developed the neon line to avoid having to use an under base.  While the Neons are much better on dark shirts; I still recommend a white under base for best results.

[Colin]

"Typically"

NEON = white pigment added to a fluorescent pigmented ink.

FLUORESCENT = Straight fluorescent pigment into the manufacturers base of choice.

The more white pigment you add to a neon color the more pastel your printed ink will look.

No you should NOT add white to all fluorescent colors to make them more opaque.... not all fluorescents look the same when white is added.

FYI:  The pigment is typically added as a dry pigment for added opacity.  Not that Fluo inks have much