Sp5der Puff Print Technology What Makes It Special

Streetwear has always been an adventurous game, but so has been Sp5der. When walking past someone wearing a Sp5der hoodie, you’re not only drawn to the colors or the graphics, you’re more drawn to the texture. That raised almost three-dimensionality on the fabric is no coincidence. It is part of Sp5der Puff Print Technology, a printing technique that is unique in the streetwear market. So, if you’ve ever been curious about how a Sp5der puff print is made and how it feels like that, then this article is for you.

Sp5der Puff Print Technology, what is it?

Sp5der Puff Print Technology is a special type of screen printing that involves an ink compound that is heat treated to create raised, 3-D graphics on fabric. Puff printing is similar to standard flat screen printing but the difference is the puff printing ink contains a certain amount of puff in it which expands when heated during the curing process, which causes the ink to puff up above the surface of the garments.The sp5dehoodie.com outcome is a graphic, which literally pops out of the fabric. The edges of the design are clearly felt, the printed area can be run over with a finger to feel the different heights of the print from the fabric and the dimensionality can be seen from across a room. This method is perfect for a brand that prides itself on its visual identity; when Sp5der started out on their mission to establish their visual identity, this was the style they were looking to have.

The actual Puff Print Process is fantastic

The reason for puff printing being so unique compared to other prints found throughout the entire streetwear industry is due to the process behind the print.It starts with a conventional screen printing system, using a screen mesh that holds the design and pushing ink through to the garment below. The difference is in the ink. Sp5der’s special additive is added to the base ink that contains a compound called a blowing agent, which will react to heat and expand.When the ink is applied to the fabric, the garment passes through a tunnel of heat or curing oven, and the blowing agent is activated. The ink will rise up and outwards which gives the finished surface the raised appearance. The temperature and timing of the curing process directly influence the amount the ink will rise and the height and sharpness of the final print will depend on the precision of the production process.
Sp5der’s use of the technique is more consistent than the lower cost renditions of the same approach. The increased height on the spider web graphics is even, the edges remain sharp, and the texture maintains its shape with repeated wear and washing that lower quality puff prints cannot.

How Puff Print is an Ideal Choice for Sp5der Branding

Boldness is the key concept in Sp5der’s visual language. The spider web designs, enlarged graphics and bright color schemes are all there to be seen. It’s not just about the look, it’s about the feel flat printing vs. puff printing. It also gives a new touch to the attire, making it look as impressive as it feels.Puff printing is especially suited to the spider web design, it seems an ideal match. When a sp5der hoodie web pattern’s geometric lines appear to lift off the fabric, they will take on real depth. The points where the web lines intersect are positioned slightly above those of the web lines, so that the whole configuration looks like a layered web. A high level of visual complexity is impossible to achieve on fabric using any flat printing method.The signaling function is also at work. The high quality of the puff print is a mark of good manufacturing in every Sp5der enthusiast. It conveys the idea that the brand invested in the garment more than just cutting and putting on a logo. In a market where consumers are asking for authenticity and quality, that “haptic” message is no joke.

Sp5der Puff Print vs Standard Screen Printing

Puff printing differs from traditional screen printing in more than just appearance and respect to touch, there are a few production, longevity, and impact aspects.Standard screen-printing presses the ink face down on the fabric. Generates clear and detailed graphics with ability in a variety of designs. The process is quicker, less technically involved and less expensive per unit of production, hence its predominance in mass-market apparel production. The downside is that prints are not dimensional and may not stand out on thicker fabrics where the texture of the fabric clashes with the print.The need for greater precision, better ink compounds and thorough calibration of the curing process applies to puff printing. More expensive and more specialized to perform repetitively. The reward is a picture that will change its appearance based on the light direction, will create shadows and depth on the design and will give a handcrafted look to the garment that is hard to replicate via mass production.The decision to perform the printing on Sp5der using puff for their screen printing is not just a technical decision, but also a positioning one. It makes the product look and feel different, and that’s good enough to warrant the pricing and make it a good streetwear item and not just a product in the commodity category.

How to Care for Puff Print Graphics

Puff print graphics need a little extra care in the wash and storage process when compared to garments with flat prints and understanding how to do this will help maintain the raised print for a longer period of time.
Wash Sp5der Hoodies inside out at all times. Washing the garment inside out will ensure that the raised graphics are not exposed directly to the abrasive surface of the washing machine drum, thus avoiding damage to the raised surface over time. Wash in cold water and a gentle cycle (high heat and agitation is the two quickest methods that can break the puff print integrity).Do not dry in a dryer at high temperature. The heat activation that produces the puff print in production may also work against it in the home drying if the temperatures are set too high. Air drying or tumble drying on a low or gentle setting would work well to maintain the integrity of the raised graphic much longer than a hot dry cycle.Avoid placing the iron directly on the printed surface. When smoothing, turn the garment inside out and smooth on reverse fabric surface only with low heat. If the raised surface is directly heated, the print will be flattened, and will not be possible to restore the original shape after the damage.

What is the difference between the real and fake Sp5der Puff Print?

The pieces of Sp5der are counterfeit and fail to accurately replicate the puff printing, but there are definite differences that are apparent upon closer examination. Fake versions may not be even, with part of the graphic raised off the surface in some areas, lines may not be sharp at edges, and the texture may vary in areas of the graphic when you stroke your finger over it.The real Sp5der puff prints are even in height throughout the print. The outline of the design is clearly defined at the edges, where the raised ink meets the plain cloth; and there is a smooth transition from raised to plain cloth where the design edges meet the plain cloth edges. The colour on real items isn’t always evenly saturated throughout the raised surface – counterfeits often have patchy or faded spots, particularly in the highest spots of the print, where less expensive ink compounds expand and become thin.
When you’re looking at a piece and the puff print is not uniform, it lacks the deep texture when you shine a flashlight on it, or it collapses when you touch it lightly with a finger, it’s a sure sign it was not printed the same way Sp5der does on their genuine product.

Sp5der Puff Print Technology stands out for its distinctive features

Sp5der Puff Print Technology is not a label that we slap on a garment — it’s a production pride that you can see, feel and experience throughout the years. A very technical and exacting printing process is what makes the raised graphics that form the brand’s visual identity.It’s this level of consistency that’s hard to get with most streetwear labels, thanks to a precise and demanding printing process.Once you understand what Sp5der puff print is, you’ll see the hoodie in a different light. Each of those raised lines is a carefully thought-out technical decision involving the formulation of the ink, its heat setting process and the production tolerances used to ensure uniformity of the finished product as it is printed from the factory. This makes it special and why you should know before you purchase.