Reflective, Metallic and Speciality Inks
By The Velocity Wear Team
Beyond standard inks sits a range of speciality finishes. Some are visual effects, one is genuinely functional, and all of them carry constraints that are easier to design around than to discover after a proof.
Reflective
Contains microscopic glass beads that return light towards its source. In daylight it reads as a flat grey; in headlights it is brilliantly bright. That daylight appearance is the design constraint people miss — a reflective print looks unremarkable in a product photo and dramatic at night.
It is the only speciality finish here with a functional purpose, and it is worth distinguishing decorative reflective print from certified high-visibility garments. If you need compliance with a safety standard, that is a garment specification, not a print choice — a reflective graphic does not make a garment compliant.
Metallic and foil
- **Metallic inks** carry metal-effect particles. Easier to apply and more durable than foil, with a subtler shine.
- **Foil** is a separate material applied over an adhesive layer, giving a genuine mirror finish that metallic ink cannot match.
- **Foil is more fragile.** It scratches, and it does not tolerate aggressive washing well. Reserve it for garments that will be treated gently.
- **Both need bold artwork.** Fine detail is lost in the reflectivity, and thin lines break up.
Glow in the dark
Phosphorescent pigment that charges under light and releases it slowly. It needs a genuine charge period to work, so it is far more effective in a bright venue than a dark one — which is the opposite of what people expect.
The pigment is not fully opaque and the unlit appearance is a pale, slightly chalky colour, so design for how it looks in daylight as well as in the dark. It works best over a white underbase.
Other effects worth knowing
- 1**Suede or soft-touch inks,** giving a velvety surface texture. Pairs well with tonal designs.
- 2**Gel and gloss inks,** producing a raised wet-look finish for logos.
- 3**Crackle inks,** which split as they cure to give a deliberately distressed appearance.
- 4**Thermochromic inks,** which change colour with temperature. A novelty, and the effect degrades with washing faster than standard ink.
What speciality finishes cost
More per piece, and usually more setup. They also tend to have narrower tolerances on press, so reject rates run higher. Use them on one hero element rather than throughout a design — which is normally the better creative choice as well as the cheaper one.
Ask for a physical sample before committing. Speciality finishes are precisely the category where a screen proof tells you almost nothing, because the entire point of the finish is how it behaves with light in the room.
