Embossed print designs are huge right now with designers like Versace and Adidas opting for the subtle less-is-more decoration technique. However, it can be very expensive and requires specialized machinery. Being cost effective is super important for your business so we want to share with you a hack for creating this high end look at a fraction of the cost.
You can achieve this embossed look by using a printing technique hack with puff additives on a screen printer. This will achieve the same feel as what you get with emboss but without all of the original embossed technical problems.
EMBOSSED SCREEN PRINT HACK vs. REAL EMBOSSED
The challenge with standard embossing involves two ideas: cost and feel of the finished garment. Standard embossing is more expensive to produce because of special machinery as well as extra material. The extra plate of material on the inside of the garment is there in order to help it maintain it’s shape and hold the design up. The expenses result in higher minimums and the extra material results in an itchy, heavy garment your customers will grow to turn away from.
By using a tonal puff ink on screen printing you won’t have the extra costs, fabric or uncomfortable feel of the fabric against your body. In fact, the cost difference between real embossing versus this printing technique is roughly 75% more expensive for real embossing the embossing.
GRAPHICS FOR BEST RESULTS
Graphics play a key role when screen printing, especially with puff ink as it rises and expands after going through the dryer. Graphic designs that are have clean and crips lines are best so the ink has room to expand without losing the design. The tricks to not have too much detail so the design doesn’t get lost. Numbers, symbols, words, and other simple designs are graphic design categories that work well with this technique.
BEST FABRICATIONS FOR EMBOSSED SCREEN PRINT
Heavy weight fabrics like our Fleece Collection are great for puff ink print techniques. The BELLA+CANVAS Fleece collection is thick and strong enough to hand the puff additives and maintains a soft, smooth feel without the fibers popping through the print.
It is best to stay away from light and flimsy fabrications because the ink will penetrate into the graphic losing the loftiness of the print.
HOW TO SCREEN PRINT FOR EMBOSSED EFFECT
Color matching is the most important part of printing your faux embossed design. If your print color doesn’t match your garment it will look like a regular puff ink print. Make sure your color is as close to your garment color as possible.
Suede puff is an additive in the puff ink which creates a fabric feel in order to match the original garment’s hand. This technique involves one plate since one color is used. It’s easy to achieve and takes minimal time.
We hope this article gave you a new printing idea to try! If you do give this a shot, we’d love to hear about your results in the comments of this blog.
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Summary
Article Name
Embossed Print Hack with Screen Printing
Description
Embossed print designs are huge right now with designers like Versace and Adidas opting for the subtle less-is-more decoration technique. Being cost effective is super important for your business so we want to share with you a hack for creating this high end look at a fraction of the cost.
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Thanks for your positive feedback, Lateef! We used a third-party screen printer (Eagle Promotions) for this design. You are more than welcome to reach out to them directly!
4 Comments
Lateef Azziz
Love the blog. What font did you use for the BOLD text?
BELLA+CANVAS
Thanks for your positive feedback, Lateef! We used a third-party screen printer (Eagle Promotions) for this design. You are more than welcome to reach out to them directly!
Island John
Love this blog. Any info on the ink and additives and step by step process would be great
BELLA+CANVAS
We are glad you enjoyed our post! Check out this blog post for similar info https://blog.bellacanvas.com/puff-ink-comeback/