If you want your apparel to make a bold statement, special effects screen printing can help you create eye-catching designs that stand out. In screen printing, “special effects” refers to using different inks or print methods in order to create a unique effect. There are many types of special effects screen printing. Glow-in-the-dark screen printing can make your designs glow under low light. Metallic ink screen printing adds a shimmering and luxurious touch to your creations. There's also puff ink screen printing, which gives designs a raised, textured effect, and there’s crystalina screen printing for a sparkling finish.
At Extreme Screen Prints, our recommendations are case by case. Generally speaking, using too many special effects at once (or even too much of one), can come off gimmicky unless it is the sole purpose of the design. But when used thoughtfully, they can enhance your designs and create memorable, stylish apparel.
A type of ink that rises when cured – it can give a great 3D effect to your design when used properly. Puff works great on solid, bold details, but not so great on small text or thin, fine lines. Choose a heavier garment when using puff for best results, and be aware that colors may shift lighter and more matte.
Metallic inks produce a slightly reflective or shiny effect when printed. The best application is for spot color designs with solid areas using organic garments such as 100% cotton. Be sure to avoid implementing a metallic ink on any highly detailed designs or on polyester garments.
Glow-in-the-dark ink contains phosphorescent pigments which absorb and store energy from light sources, and then, they release it slowly in the form of a glow in the absence of light. The standard glow ink we use does have a milky-green hue and works best when layered on top of lighter colored ink.
With a milky clear base, crystalina ink gets its signature look with suspended flakes of multicolored glitter – distinctly different from metallic ink. It's a great way to add some extra sparkle your design, but it's best to design with this look in mind as crystalina does not work well on fine details.
