Puff print
Also known as: Puff ink, 3D puff, High-relief screen print
Bold screen-print variant with strongly rising relief (up to 3 mm) for retro and streetwear looks.
Description
Puff printing is the bolder cousin of foam printing: the plastisol print paste contains a much higher dose of blowing agent and expands during oven curing (150–170 degrees) so strongly that the print rises 1–3 mm above the fabric plane. Result: a voluminous, softly glossy 3D relief that recalls retro brand logos of the 80s and 90s and is now a recurring trend in streetwear, sports merchandising and "Y2K" collections.
Typical applications are front logos on hoodies, text slogans on oversized T-shirts and back prints on tracksuits and college sweaters. The effect is significantly more durable than flock (no fraying) but stiffer than foam print and with lower detail resolution. Not suitable for fine lines below 3 mm — edges tend to run into each other during expansion. High-density puff inks (Wilflex Epic Puff, Rutland Ultrasoft Puff) allow reliefs up to 4 mm with very clean edges but cost significantly more. Wash resistance typically 40 degrees / 25 cycles, after which the relief starts to sink. Alternative: two-stage puff with coloured base print plus white puff top print for even bolder retro looks.
- Relief height 1–3 mm, in special versions up to 4 mm
- Plastisol with high-dose blowing agent, oven 150–170 C
- Stiffer and more emphatic than foam print, lower detail
- Popular for retro logos, streetwear, college sweaters
Properties
| Process | Screen print with high-dose puff additive, oven 150–170 C |
|---|---|
| Relief height | 1–3 mm (HD puff up to 4 mm) |
| Hand | Stiffer than foam print, soft-glossy |
| Detail limit | Line width from ~3 mm, no fine pixels |
| Application | Retro logos, streetwear, college sweaters, merch |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wilflex Epic Puff Series polyone.com https://www.polyone.com/
- PrintingUnited: Puff Ink Guide printingunited.com https://printingunited.com/
