Puff Screen Printing
A foaming plastisol expands during cure, leaving a rounded, soft-hand texture that adds dimension to logos and bold type without losing definition.
What is puff screen printing
Puff ink contains a foaming agent that activates in the cure tunnel: the deposit rises and forms a rounded, dimensional shape with soft edges.
- Rounded, three-dimensional texture rather than a flat print
- Soft, slightly spongy hand feel
- Best results on bold outlines and solid typography
- Applied as a direct ink deposit on the garment
- Can be combined with flat plastisol in the same design
- Puff height is controlled by mesh count and ink deposit
When it's the right choice
Puff works well whenever raised texture is part of the design. It performs best on flat woven and knit apparel; feasibility on other products depends on material, construction and print area.
Bold logos
Brand marks with real, tactile dimension.
Thick typography
Letters and numbers with soft edges and strong texture.
Streetwear and drops
Raised finish for merch collections and limited runs.
T-shirts and hoodies
Flat apparel where puff performs at its best.
Team and athletic wear
Numbers and lettering with texture on shirts and jerseys.
Accent details
Combined with flat printing to add hierarchy to a design.
Technical considerations
Design points to keep in mind for puff screen printing.
- Fine lines and small details lose definition as the ink expands
- Small text tends to fill in — use larger type sizes
- Expansion softens internal detail slightly
- Works best with one- to three-color artwork
- Requires controlled curing temperature to activate the foam
- Final puff height is confirmed on a pre-production sample
Production capacity
Scalable production
Automatic, manual and semi-automatic equipment lets us match the process to the artwork, the run size and the characteristics of each garment.
See production capacityOther techniques
High-Density Printing
See how the technique works, where it fits and what production requires.
View serviceSimulated Process
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View serviceDischarge Printing
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View serviceFrequently asked questions
How much height does puff ink achieve?
It depends on mesh count and ink deposit. Final height is set and confirmed with an approval sample before the run.
Can small text be printed in puff?
It's not recommended — fine lines and tight spacing fill in as the ink expands. Larger type sizes work much better.
What garments does it work on?
Mainly t-shirts, hoodies and athletic wear. For other products, feasibility depends on fabric composition and construction — we review that before quoting cure settings.
Does it hold up to washing?
Yes, with a proper cure. We recommend washing inside-out and avoiding direct ironing over the print.
Can it be combined with other techniques?
Yes — for example with flat plastisol or high-density ink within the same design.
Quote puff screen printing
Share quantity, product and artwork so we can review feasibility and quote your run.
Get a quote for puff screen printing
Send us the artwork and quantity and we'll confirm whether the technique fits your product.