Welcome back to another episode of Deep Dive with Colin. Today’s print project brings dimension to the press with puff ink. From subtle texture to bold sculpted effects, puff opens up a world of creative possibilities. Let’s break it down.
WHY PUFF PRINTING?
Puff printing adds raised texture to a garment that can be felt and seen. Whether you're using it for creative expression, added depth, or to highlight a specific part of the artwork, puff gives designs a tactile edge that stands out. It’s simple to incorporate into your current workflow and can be dialed in for a variety of looks.
RELATED: TAKE YOUR PRINTS TO THE THIRD DIMENSION WITH FN-INK™ PUFF
PUFF OPTIONS TO WORK WITH
There are a couple ways to bring puff into your shop. In this project, Colin worked with two products, each offering a solid puff effect:
- FN-INK™ Puff Additive – A powder additive you can mix into any FN-INK plastisol color base. Offers flexibility in your ink choices while delivering a consistent raised effect.
- Avient Infinite FX NuPuff Base – A ready-to-print base designed for high-loft puff results. Can be tinted and printed directly for a bold, dimensional finish.
SCREEN SETUP
- Puff layer: 158 thin thread screen coated with a thick layer of ChromaBlue emulsion
- Detail layer: 305 mesh screen for outlines and overprints
PRINT ORDER
Colin started by printing black, then flashing it, followed by the puff layer. After that, he ran black again as a top detail pass. Puff expands after flashing and curing, so it's important to consider print order. Printing fine detail on top of a puffed area can be difficult if the ink has already expanded.
INK MIXING AND PRINTING
For additive-based puff, Colin mixed around 30–35% FN-INK™ Puff Additive into a standard base color. He also added FN-INK™ Stretch to enhance flexibility after the puff expanded. He printed with a 65/90/65 triple durometer squeegee for control and ink volume.
With ready-to-print puff bases like NuPuff, no mixing is required. Just tint the base or use it straight for tonal or highlight effects.
FLASHING & CURING
Flash the puff layer long enough to gel it without fully activating the puff. Final cure should be done in a conveyor dryer to reach full expansion. Puff effect depends on ink volume, fabric type, and temperature consistency.
RELATED: TIPS FOR ADDING MANY FN-INK™ SPECIALTIES INTO THE SAME DESIGN
PRO TIPS
- Use halftones to create areas of varying puff height and texture
- Add a stretch additive to improve ink flexibility for high-build areas
- Test on different fabrics – puff reacts differently to cotton, blends, and tri-blends
FINAL THOUGHTS
Puff printing can be bold, subtle, clean, or chaotic. Whether you're looking to add structure, softness, or contrast, it all comes down to technique and execution. With both FN-INK™ Puff Additive and the Avient Infinite FX NuPuff Base, you’ve got solid tools to create effects that break out of the flat print lane.
Experiment with mesh counts, stencil thickness, pressure, and flash times. Try halftones or overlays. With puff, the more you test, the better it gets.