How to Use Champion Inks Fluorescent Puff Plastisol Ink

Champion Inks Fluorescent Puff Plastisol Ink is a high-impact specialty ink that expands (puffs) when cured and delivers bold fluorescent color at the same time. This ink creates a raised, textured print that stands off the garment and gets attention under normal light and under UV/blacklight. It is made for merch drops, streetwear, logos, numbers, and designs where you want instant visual pop and a premium feel.

What This Ink Does

This is a two-in-one effect ink: bright fluorescent color + puff expansion. When you cure it correctly, the ink swells and builds height. You get a soft, dimensional print that you can see and feel. The result is a raised neon-style finish that looks custom, limited, and expensive.

This is not a flat standard plastisol. This is for specialty work and high-margin prints.

Recommended Use Cases

• Streetwear and premium merch drops
• Bold chest logos and sleeve hits
• Numbering and lettering on hoodies and sweats
• Limited edition colorways, collab runs, promo drops
• High-visibility graphics and safety-style designs

If you want something that does not look like every other flat print, this is the ink you use.

Appearance and Feel

The cured finish is raised, matte-to-soft in feel, and visibly thicker than normal ink. The fluorescent pigments deliver intense color that jumps off dark and light garments. Under blacklight, the color glow effect is even stronger. The result looks boutique and instantly adds value to the shirt or hoodie.

Step-by-Step Printing Instructions

1. Screen and Mesh Selection

Use a lower mesh (around 86–110) to lay down a heavier ink deposit. Puff needs mass. If you try to run puff ink through very high mesh, you will not get enough build to see the effect.

Keep artwork bold. Thick lines, block lettering, solid shapes, and chunky graphics produce the best 3D puff look. Very fine detail and thin lines will not “rise” as much and may lose definition.

2. Print Technique

Set a proper off-contact so the screen snaps up clean. Use controlled pressure. You want to place the ink, not over-shear it. One or two even passes is better than smashing the ink into the fabric. The goal is an even layer that can puff consistently when cured.

Avoid multi-stacking a ton of layers on top of puff. Puff is usually printed as the top effect. You generally do not print colors on top of puff after it expands.

3. Flashing

If you are printing puff as a final hit after an underbase or after other colors, you can flash the previous colors just enough to gel. Do not fully cure your underbase before printing puff. Over-curing the base layer can create poor bonding and uneven lift.

4. Cure and Expansion

Puff effect happens during the final cure. As the ink reaches cure temperature, it activates and rises. You must run puff ink through a proper dryer. A flash alone is not a full cure.

Make sure the entire puff ink layer reaches full cure temperature all the way through. Too cold and it will not fully expand. Too hot and you can scorch the garment or over-collapse the puff. Watch your belt speed and chamber temp and always test on a sample first.

After cure, let the print cool for a moment. Do not smash or stack the garment hot — pressing the print while it’s still hot can flatten the puff effect.

Wash and Wear Notes

Puff is a specialty finish. It is not meant to be scraped, ironed, or high-heat pressed after cure. Tell your customer: wash inside-out, warm or cold, low tumble or hang dry to preserve the raised texture and neon pop.

When properly cured, Champion Inks Fluorescent Puff Plastisol Ink holds its raised profile and color brightness through normal wash and wear. Always wash test one garment before running a full job for a client.

Shop Tips for Best Results

• Use bold artwork. Large shapes puff better than hairline detail.
• Keep puff as the last color in the sequence so it stays on top.
• Do not stack hot finished prints — let them cool so you don’t press them flat.
• Document the exact belt speed, dryer temp, and garment type for repeat runs.
• Always test on the exact garment brand and fabric you’re printing for the client.

Why Print Shops Choose Champion Inks Puff

Fluorescent Puff Plastisol Ink from Champion Inks is made for high-impact prints that sell at higher margins. It gives you brightness, texture, and instant dimension with no extra embroidery, no vinyl, no patch. You get that “custom limited drop” look straight off the press.

This ink is one of the fastest ways to turn a normal hoodie or tee into something that looks premium, collectible, and worth more.

Need Application Help?

If your puff is not rising evenly, looks flat, or is collapsing after cure, reach out. Tell us what mesh you used, what garment you’re on, and the temp/speed in your dryer. We’ll help you dial it before you waste blanks.

SEO Summary

Champion Inks Fluorescent Puff Plastisol Ink is a raised, 3D specialty screen printing ink with intense fluorescent color. Prints expand during cure to create a soft, dimensional print that stands off the garment. Ideal for hoodies, streetwear, logos, and limited drops. High visual impact, premium finish, production-ready for real print shops.