Quick answer: Puff print is a screen-printing ink that rises when heated, giving your design a raised, soft-rubbery 3D feel. In India it costs about ₹45–₹65 per print for a front-size design, works best from 100 pieces, and needs 220 GSM or heavier fabric. Keep lines and gaps at least 2 mm wide and use 1–3 colours.
Puff print is the fastest way to make a simple wordmark look expensive. Run your hand over a good puff print and it feels intentional, not printed on. It is also one of the easiest prints to get wrong: thin lines blob, gaps close up and the fabric puckers. Here is how to do it right.
How puff print works
A special plastisol or water-based ink containing a foaming agent is screen-printed onto the fabric, just like normal screen printing. When the print goes through the heat dryer, the agent expands, lifting the ink 1–3 mm. The result is a matte, slightly spongy, raised surface.
Because it is screen printing, each colour needs its own screen, and very fine detail is lost when the ink expands.
What puff print costs in India
Per print for a front-centre design (about 28 × 35 cm). Left-chest prints cost about 60% of this.
| Pieces per design | Puff (per print) | Regular screen (per print) | Oversized tee + label + front puff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | ₹58 | ₹30 | ₹291 |
| 300 | ₹52 | ₹24 | ₹265 |
| 500 | ₹48 | ₹20 | ₹241 |
| 1,000 | ₹45 | ₹17 | ₹224 |
Puff adds roughly ₹28 per piece over a normal screen print. On a ₹999 streetwear tee that is less than 3% of the retail price for a noticeably more premium product. Compare it with the other methods in our print cost guide, or see samples on our puff printing page.
Design rules for puff print
- Minimum line thickness: 2 mm. Thinner lines spread and lose shape.
- Minimum gap between shapes: 2 mm. Smaller gaps fill in as the ink expands.
- Text height: 8 mm or more for readable letters. Bold sans-serif fonts work best.
- 1–3 solid colours. No gradients, no halftones, no photos.
- Mix with flat print. A puff wordmark over a flat screen-printed graphic looks great and keeps cost down.
- Avoid huge solid blocks. Large puff areas become stiff and heavy. Break them up or outline them.
Best garments and fabric
| Garment | Works with puff? |
|---|---|
| Oversized tee, 240 GSM | Excellent |
| Heavyweight boxy tee, 280 GSM | Excellent |
| Hoodie or sweatshirt, 300–320 GSM fleece | Excellent, the classic choice |
| Regular tee, 180 GSM | Risky: the fabric can pucker around the print |
| Polo (piqué) | Not recommended: the textured surface breaks up the print |
For hoodies, chest or back puff on our 320 GSM pullover hoodie is one of the most popular winter combinations.
Popular puff print placements
- Centre chest wordmark, 20–25 cm wide. The classic streetwear look.
- Small left-chest logo, 8–10 cm. Subtle and premium.
- Back-neck logo, 6–8 cm, just below the collar.
- Large back graphic with puff only on key words, rest in flat screen print.
Wash care: how to make puff last
A well-cured puff print keeps its lift for 30 or more washes. Tell your customers on the care label or insert card:
- Wash inside out in cold water.
- Do not iron directly on the print.
- Do not tumble dry on high heat.
- Do not dry-clean.
Common puff print problems and their causes
| Problem | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Print cracks when stretched | Under-cured or ink too thick for the fabric |
| Letters merged together | Gaps smaller than 2 mm |
| Fabric puckered around print | Fabric too light (under 220 GSM) |
| Uneven lift | Inconsistent dryer temperature |
| Print feels hard | Too much ink or too large a solid area |
Always stretch and wash your sample before approving bulk. Our sample checklist walks you through it.
Worked example: a 100-piece puff drop
| Product | 100 black oversized tees, 240 GSM, puff wordmark on chest front, woven label |
| Factory price | ₹291 × 100 = ₹29,100 |
| GST (5%, claimable as input credit) | ₹1,455 |
| Retail price | ₹1,099 |
| Revenue if all sell | ₹1,09,900 |
The same drop with flat screen print would cost ₹26,300. The extra ₹2,800 buys a product you can price ₹100–₹200 higher.
Artwork checklist before you send the file
- Vector file (AI, PDF or SVG), with text converted to outlines.
- Puff areas on a separate layer from any flat-print areas.
- Pantone or hex code for each colour.
- Print width in cm for size M, plus a smaller width for S if needed.
- A mock-up showing placement on the garment.
Puff print vs embroidery vs high-density print
Embroidery gives a raised, stitched look and lasts longer, but costs more and suits small logos. High-density (HD) print builds sharp, raised edges with many ink layers and handles finer detail, but costs more and is less common in India. Puff sits in the sweet spot: affordable, soft and instantly recognisable.
Ready to try puff?
Start with 100 pieces of your bestselling design in puff and keep the rest of the drop in flat print. You will see quickly whether your customers pay more for the texture. Price a puff print order in under a minute.
Frequently asked questions
What is puff print on a T-shirt?
A screen print made with an ink that expands under heat, giving the design a raised, soft 3D texture.
How much does puff printing cost in India?
About ₹45 to ₹65 per front-size print depending on quantity, roughly ₹28 more than a normal screen print.
What is the minimum order for puff print?
We recommend at least 100 pieces per design, because puff needs a longer run for consistent lift.
Does puff print crack or wash off?
A properly cured puff print lasts 30+ washes. Wash inside out in cold water and avoid ironing on the print.
Which fabric is best for puff print?
220 GSM or heavier cotton or fleece. Oversized 240 GSM tees and 320 GSM hoodies work best.