Decoration & finishing
Puff Print & High-Density Print
Puff print uses an additive in the ink that expands under heat, lifting the design off the fabric in three dimensions. High-density printing achieves a similar raised effect without expansion, giving sharper edges. Both are signature streetwear finishes.
Technical specification
- Puff print
- Expanding additive, soft rounded raised edges
- High-density
- Thick ink deposit, sharp squared edges
- Typical height
- 0.5 – 2 mm depending on method
- Best on
- Cotton and cotton blends, 200 gsm and above
- Durability
- Good; extreme heat or over-stretching can flatten the effect
- Recommended with
- Simple bold shapes and lettering
Puff vs high-density — how to choose
Puff gives a softer, rounder, more organic raise and is more forgiving of fine detail. High-density gives crisp flat-topped letters that look engineered. For varsity-style lettering high-density usually reads better; for a distressed or retro graphic, puff.
Where it fails
Fine detail. Thin lines and small text do not survive expansion cleanly, so both methods want bold, simple shapes. If your logo has thin strokes, we will flag it at artwork review.
Fabric weight matters
A raised ink deposit carries weight. On a 160 gsm tee it can visibly distort the panel; on 240 gsm and above it sits properly. We will tell you if the fabric is too light.