What is puff print? A simple guide to the raised, textured print technique
Puff print is a speciality puff screen print technique where an additive is mixed into plastisol ink. When the garment cures under heat, the ink expands and rises, creating a soft, dimensional texture that looks and feels premium. It’s the effect you often see on puff print hoodies or puff print shirts, where the artwork appears gently lifted off the fabric. At Assembly, puff print is one of our speciality ink options, alongside reflective ink.
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How puff print works
Prepare the artwork for screen printing
Puff ink is thicker than standard print inks, so the artwork needs clean, well-defined shapes. This helps it sit evenly on the fabric and rise smoothly during curing.
Mix the ink
Plastisol ink is combined with a puff additive. This is what allows the ink to expand, and the amount used influences how strong the effect appears.
Print the design
The mixed ink is applied to the garment using a standard screen printing pass.
Heat activates the puff effect
As the print cures under heat, the ink expands and rises, creating the soft, dimensional texture puff print is known for.
Design considerations for puff print
Puff print expands as it cures, which softens edges and rounds out shapes. A few things are worth keeping in mind when designing for puff print, as they can help the final effect look clean and defined.
Puff works best on artwork with enough width for the ink to rise. Bold lettering, icons, and enclosed shapes hold their form well. Very thin strokes or highly detailed illustrations tend to lose definition once the ink expands.
Puff print vs 3D embroidery
Many people mistake puff print for 3D embroidery, but the two create very different results.
Puff print
Puff print creates a raised ink surface that feels soft and flexible on the garment. It works well when you want a lightweight finish and a modern, dimensional look without adding structure or bulk.
3D embroidery
3D embroidery uses raised stitching to build a more structured, rigid finish. It is especially effective on caps and thicker garments, creating a sculptural, premium look with more defined form.
Why brands choose puff print
Puff print adds a raised, dimensional finish that gives logos and graphics more presence, creating depth without relying on loud colours or oversized artwork.
Puff print at Assembly
At Assembly, puff print is approached with the same precision and care as any of our speciality inks. We use high quality materials and control every stage of production in-house, from artwork preparation to the final cure. Each print run is tested to ensure the ink expands evenly and the raised texture settles with a clean, consistent finish. By keeping the process tightly managed, we ensure every puff print piece feels refined and reliably made from the first garment to the last.
To understand how we approach premium custom apparel from end to end, explore our article Premium custom merch by Assembly: Built for quality & process.
The role of puff print in premium apparel
Puff print gives brands a subtle way to add depth and tactility to their collections. It works well across t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts, adding a dimensional detail that complements high quality garments without dominating the design. Used thoughtfully, it becomes a quiet premium touch that brings a more considered character to custom pieces.
To understand how to make custom merch, explore our article on How to make custom merch: A simple guide for brands.
