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Specialty Screen Printing

Make Our Specialty Yours.

There’s a lot of hype about oversize printing these days, but let’s not forget our roots. Ink testing, troubleshooting and experimentation has been a passion of ours long before all-over presses came on the scene. We’re at the top of the industry when it comes to specialty screen print application on textiles.

Here's A Basic Run-Down:
Crystelina
Soft-Hand Screen Print
Puff Printing
Suede Printing
High Density Printing
Special Effects Clear
Glow in the Dark Inks
Photo-Reactive Color Change
Shimmer Inks
Foil
Reflective Ink
Sponge Technique
Mixed Media
crystelina-screenprint-ink

Crystelina

Multi-color reflective flake in a clear ink. It can be used on its own or on top of other colors to add a glittery effect. This ink works best in solid fill area and does not work well with halftone dots, blends and gradients. This ink is not recommended if you are interested in a soft-hand product.

View printed t-shirt example.

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Soft-Hand Screen Print

Printed apparel with a super soft feel is huge. In fact, it’s the most common request we get. Soft prints are so desirable, it’s not likely this is a trend that will fizzle out. For this reason, we have an entire page dedicated to the various methods that can be used to achieve this effect.

View t-shirt example.

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Puff Printing

One of the original specialty affects in the world of screen printing. Puff ink is a plastisol that has been modified with the addition of a heat reactive foaming agent. The ink expands when exposed to high temperature heat as the garment is cured.

View t-shirt example.

Screen_Printing_Specialty_Print_Suede_Chicago_Sharprint

Suede Printing

Suede ink was derived from puff ink. The process for printing is similar, but suede ink results with with a raised fuzzy nap reminiscent of suede leather. 

View t-shirt example.

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High Density Printing

This 3-D specialty ink achieves its best affect when printed in layers. High temperature is introduced in the curing process causing the ink to raise into a high square stack. 

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Special Effects Clear

The specialty clear inks can be printed to add a tonal effect or stacked for a glossy, dimensional technique.

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Glow In The Dark Inks

You guessed it - turn out the lights and areas printed with glow ink are illuminated in that yellowish green we know and love as glow. We take it one step farther too, with a selection of colored glow inks. Now you can glow in blue, white, purple, orange, red, green and yellow!

View a screen printed t-shirt example.

Screen_Printing_Specialty_Print_Photo_Reactive_Color_Change_Chicago_Sharprint

Photo-Reactive Color Change

These fun inks are practically invisible when indoors and come alive when you step into the sun. Ultra violet light brings out the pigment in the design. The brighter the uv rays, the brighter the print becomes.

View a screen printed t-shirt example.

Screen_Printing_Specialty_Print_Shimmer_Inks_Chicago_Sharprint

Shimmer Inks

Teensy reflective flakes suspended in a clear carrier ink make these sparkly metallic inks. The print is nice and solid in 100% fill areas. Available in silver, gold, bronze and a small selection of stock colors. Shown here with special effects clear ink. 

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Foil

Foil is actually a heat press application, but can be applied on press for certain affects. Foil adheres to plastisol inks or a clear foil adhesive. 

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Reflective Ink

Functional for safety and a cool effect for designers to play with. Garments printed with reflective ink provide enhanced visibility for joggers, cyclists, construction workers and others who work around traffic at night. 

View printed t-shirt example.

Blow Out Base

Sponge Technique

Textural specialty inks can be used for a visual and tactile experience that cannot be achieved through traditional plastisol inks or their dimensional counterparts, puff and high density. This screen printing ink can puff a little or a lot. Slightly glossy finish. Can be mixed close to any Pantone color

View t-shirt screen print example.

 

Blister-Metallic-Screenprint

Blister Metallic

The best of sponge techniques with a matte metallic finish. This ink features a rounded dimensional stack with slight texture. 

View a screen printed example.

 

Mixed Media

So many of these inks can be mixed at matched for some really impressive effects. Our graphic designers can help you come up with some really unique prints. Some of our favorites include faux applique, discharge foil distress, and faux leather.

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Pantone & Textile Screen Printing

Pantone colors are the universal language for communicating specific colors right down to the shade. This language overcomes distances and computer monitors with different calibrations.

This guide is meant to give you an understanding of how screen printing inks relate to Pantone® colors. Fill out the form to the right and download your free guide today!

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