Gel Screen Printing in South Florida

How It Works

Gel screen printing uses a specialized clear or tinted gel ink to create designs with a distinctive wet, glossy appearance and a slightly raised, rubber-like texture. The ink can be applied as a transparent topcoat over existing printed colors, adding gloss and dimension, or tinted and printed as a standalone effect.

Super Gel Clear

Super Gel Clear is the most common variant: a pigment-free ink that adds subtle gloss and a tonal effect when printed directly on fabric. It works especially well on heathered garments, where the fabric texture shows through the clear gloss. High-density gel variants produce an even thicker, more pronounced raised effect.

Visual Effect

Wet, glossy, shiny appearance with a slight raised 3D texture. Creates a tonal effect on heathered fabrics. Can be matte or glossy depending on formulation. Extremely eye-catching under stage and arena lighting.

Technical Specs

• Ink Type: Specialty gel ink (clear or tinted), plastisol-based
• Mesh Count: 60–110 (lower mesh for thicker deposit)
• Cure Temp: ~320°F
• Best Fabrics: 100% cotton, flat jersey knits. Avoid ribbed/textured fabrics.

Pros

• Eye-catching wet-look finish
• Excellent for accenting design elements (numbers, logos)
• Can be combined with other ink types
• Cost-effective alternative to foil
• Very durable through repeated washing

Limitations

• Adds weight and stiffness to print area
• Not breathable — not recommended for athletic wear
• Limited fine detail capability due to higher viscosity
• Cannot combine with other inks on 100% polyester (dye migration)
• Slightly sticky texture initially