Special Effects Screen Printing

A Nick Filth screen print that uses Crystalina Ink

What are special effects?

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.

What are the different types of special effects?

Puff Metallic Crystalina GLOW

What is puff screen printing?

Puff ink is a type of ink that rises when cured – it can give a great 3D effect to your design when used properly. We generally recommend designing with puff in mind: round edges where possible, separate the puff area from other colors or designs, reduce the amount of small details and fine lines, and leave the rest to us. Puff is an amazing addition when used as a detail, like snow falling in the foreground, or lettering, or a frame around a picture. Get creative and ask for puff!

An Extreme Screen Prints custom t-shirt that uses puff ink.

A screen print using black puff ink of a cut diamond.

Pros

+ Can be made in any color
+ Trendy

Cons

- Durability can be slightly affected
- Colors shift lighter
- Colors can matte slightly

Up close photo of one of Extreme Screen Prints award winning print. A kraken attacking a ship.

What is it used for?

Good option for:

+ Heavyweight garments
+ Streetwear

Not a great option for:

- Lightweight garments
- Printing over or off seams

What is metallic screen printing?

Metallic inks are a type of ink that produce a metallic/shiny effect when printed. They can be used for any designs where you desire a silver, gold, copper, or similar effect. Metallic inks work best for spot color designs or solid areas. They can sometimes be inconsistent, so they look best on cotton or organic materials. It can be printed with a hybrid process on cotton garments leading to a nice shine but a lighter hand, but on polyester or blend garments, however, it may have a heavier hand.

A up close look a metallic silver print.

A larger sized print on a black t-shirt that used reflective silver ink.

Pros

+ Trendy
+ Unique
+ Durable
+ Pretty versatile

Cons

- Metallics can vary
- Can’t be used for fine detail

A zoomed in look at a metallic gold print of a lion.

A metallic gold print of a lion wearing sun glasses.

What is it used for?

good option for:

+ Large bold designs

Not a gREAT option For:

- Detailed designs
- Halftone designs
- Not great for polyester

What is crystalina screen printing?

Crystalina ink is essentially a clear/milky white base with suspended flakes of multicolored glitter. Crystalina is a great way to add some extra sparkle to any design, however it's best used for designs that are made with this look in mind. If you are thinking about using Crystalina on a future design, be sure to ask us how to best prepare the art!

A pile of t-shirts printed with the specialty ink type of Crystalina/glitter ink.

Screen printed shirt for "Nick Filth" using Cristallina (shimmer/glitter) specialty ink.

Pros

+ Trendy
+ Unique
+ Durable
+ Pretty versatile

Cons

- Can shift colors
- Can’t be used for fine detail

A screen print for Bell's Sparkle Berry beer that uses Crystalina Ink.

A model wearing a Nick Filth shirt. The shirt depicts the grim reaper holding a tattoo tool. The print uses Crystalina ink.

What is it used for?

Good option for:

+ Printing with plastisol

Not a great option for:

- Detailed designs

What is glow in the dark screen printing?

Glow in the dark screen printing inks contain 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. This type of ink is commonly used for creating designs that are visible in low light or dark conditions. Glow in the dark comes in many colors and variations. However, the standard glow ink we use for the most part is typically a milky-green shade. This is usually printed on top of other colors for a unique effect.

Pros

+ Trendy
+ Unique
+ Durable
+ Pretty versatile

Cons

- Can shift colors
- Can’t be used for fine detail
- Heavy hand

What is it used for?

Good option for:

+ Printing over other colors in design
- Detailed designs
- Halftone designs

Not a Great option for:

- Detailed designs
- Halftone designs