Custom Puff Print in the Bay Area
Puff print adds a foaming agent to the ink that expands under the heat press, lifting your design off the fabric for a soft, raised, 3D finish. It’s the tactile, retail-grade look you see on premium streetwear — and it costs surprisingly little to add.
What is puff printing?
Puff is a screen-printing technique: a special additive is mixed into (or printed under) the ink, and when the print hits the heat of the dryer it foams up and rises off the shirt. The result is a raised, rounded, almost embroidered-looking print with a soft rubbery feel.
It works best on bold shapes and chunky lettering — the extra dimension reads beautifully on thick strokes. Very fine lines and small text lose detail as the ink expands, so we’ll flag anything too thin and suggest tweaks before we print.
How it looks and wears
Puff has a matte, spongy finish that catches shadow instead of light, giving logos real presence. Cured correctly it flexes with the fabric and survives normal wash-and-wear; we recommend washing inside-out on cold and skipping the dryer’s high heat to keep the loft looking its best for years.
- Streetwear and fashion-forward merch
- Bold logos and chunky lettering
- Hats and hoodies that want a premium feel
- Anyone who wants a print you can feel
- Art & quote. Send your design; we confirm which elements suit puff and quote it.
- Proof & screen. You approve a proof, then we burn a screen tuned for puff ink.
- Print & foam. We print the puff ink and heat-cure it so it rises evenly.
- Ship. Folded, counted, and shipped — free on orders over $200.
A print people can’t stop touching.
We dial in the foam, the mesh, and the cure temperature so your puff rises evenly and holds its shape — bold and rounded, never flattened or scorched.
- A real proof before we burn a screen
- Foam height matched to your artwork
- Cured and flex-tested so it won’t crack
- Satisfaction guaranteed — 15+ years of printing
Puff Print, answered.
Can you mix puff and regular ink in one design?
Yes. A common look is a flat printed graphic with the logo or key lettering raised in puff for contrast. We separate those elements and print them with the right ink for each.
Does puff print crack or peel?
When it’s cured properly, no. Puff flexes with the fabric. Wash inside-out on cold and avoid high dryer heat and it will keep its raised feel for years.
Is there a minimum for puff printing?
Puff is a screen-print add-on, so it follows our screen-printing minimum of 36 pieces. Tell us your quantity and art in your quote and we’ll price it out.
Can small text be printed in puff?
Puff expands as it cures, so very fine lines and tiny text can close up or distort. It shines on bold strokes — we’ll review your art and recommend the cleanest approach.
High-Density Printing
Ink built up in sharp, glossy, raised layers with crisp vertical edges — including clear high-density gloss and raised heat-transfer versions.
Water-Based & Discharge Printing
Ink that soaks into the fibers instead of sitting on top — an ultra-soft, almost printless feel. Discharge does it on dark garments.
Sublimation Printing
Dye turned to gas bonds permanently into polyester for edge-to-edge, all-over color that never cracks, peels, or fades.
Process & Halftone Printing
Photo-realistic artwork screen-printed with halftone dots — simulated process on darks and 4-color CMYK on whites.
Metallic & Foil Printing
Mirror-bright metallic foil bonded to an adhesive print — gold, silver, and holographic shine, as a direct print or a ready-to-press transfer.
Glow-in-the-Dark Ink
Phosphorescent ink that charges under light and glows green in the dark — a hidden second design that only shows at night.
Glitter Ink
Real metallic flakes suspended in the ink give a sparkling, textured finish that catches the light from every angle.
Fluorescent & Neon Ink
Electric neon inks that pop in daylight and glow bright under UV blacklight — the go-to for parties, runs, and club nights.
Color-Changing Inks
Inks that transform with heat (thermochromic) or water (hydrochromic) — a print that reveals a hidden design when it warms up or gets wet.
Silicone Ink Printing
Stretchy, ultra-soft silicone ink that flexes with the fabric and resists cracking — a premium, tagless-soft finish built for performance wear.
Printing on Polyester
Special low-cure inks and blockers stop dye migration so prints stay bright and true on polyester, tri-blends, and performance fabrics.
Ready to make something great?
Get a fast, no-obligation quote — most within one business day. As few as one, no setup fees.