Add PIZAZZ to your art!
Welcome To Cora’s Corner, where every month I am going to help you with your artwork issues.
This month I’m going to talk about how to had some pizazz to your Artwork. Think about using specialty inks to add life, drama, and spirit to your image.
There are a number of specialty inks to choose from. For example, glitter, puff, high density, suede, metallic, texture, high gloss, chalkboard, shimmer, glow-in-the-dark, discharge, color changing and many more. Many of these also come in multiple color choices.
Some of the specialty inks do need special consideration when designing your image.
For example;
Glitter ink has flakes of Crystalina, therefore the area needs to be bold. The base is clear, so be aware the shirt color may show through. Shimmer and metallic inks are similar to glitter, except the flakes are smaller.
Puff ink uses the shirt to bulk itself up, so the area needs to be big enough to do it’s job, but not so big that the ink falls. Creates a great dimensional look to your design. Suede ink is similar to puff as it expands when dried. However the surface texture is different. It is softer. The look and feel is very close to real suede. It is an excellent ink if you want your image to look and feel like a patch or tag.
Glow-in-the-Dark ink absorbs light when expose to a bright source. It is transparent so you have to print on light shirts or back the ink with white. When the lights go off is when the real magic happens.
High Density ink is stands tall on the shirt. It’s great for giving your image dimension. Done right and it gives your image the popular 3D look. Be careful because it is not good for fine details.
Color Changing inks help you create 2 designs in 1. These inks are triggered by light or temperature. They are best used on white or light shirts. Your design needs to be well thought out to take the best advantage this ink has to offer.
High Gloss ink is usually used to give your design a shiny wet look. It is great to show off details in your image, especially from multiple view points.
Discharge ink is used on medium to dark garments. It bleaches out the shirt color. Usually another color is printed to replace the discharged areas. Some printers use this to replace a white backer. This gives the shirt print a softer feel. It also is a great way to create a vintage look and feel to your image.
Chalkboard ink is printed as a large area so the wearer has room to write their own message in the space. The wearer can erase and rewrite a new message as much as they want too. This ink is definitely for fun.
Textured ink comes in many ways. Each Ink manufacturer developed their own series. Pick one that helps reinforce your design’s message. The inks have different elements in them to create their own special look. They work best on large areas.
Any specialty ink should be use to accent your image. Be careful that you don’t overdo it. You don’t want the ink to drown out your message. Experiment and Have Fun.
I would also like to hear from you about your most pressing issues about artwork. Your question may be used in a future issue of this newsletter. If you have questions, please email me at cora.kromer@qdigitizing.com. And please reference this newsletter.
Looking forward to sharing an exciting journey of discovery into the world of Art.
Sincerely,
Cora Kromer Awearness Ink