Pearlescent Inks

Pearlescent ink is initially white in colour and has a soft, translucent yet colourful lustre when applied to a surface or material. The effect is achieved by light refracting at different levels on the metal oxides in the ink. This ink is made from silicone dioxide, and the molecules that make up this ink are coated in metal dioxide.

This product is great for use as an individual coating or as an enhancement to a base coating or design. It is suitable for application to paper, board and textiles. Our pearlescent ink is water-based but robust and chemically very resistant.

Pearlescent coatings add a subtle, metallic elegance to any endeavour and are superb in giving emphasis to neutral or pastel materials.  

These inks are used in a broad range of applications from wrapping paper and greeting cards to jewellery, plastic injection moulding, shoes, t-shirts or other textiles as well as anti-counterfeiting materials. In the interiors industry, pearlescent inks offer a gentle sheen to wallpapers and even kitchen counter tops. This ink is an extremely popular option as a luxury finish for cars; there is no need for boring block colours anymore!

As another use, for example when printing onto carton board, use a thick coat of this ink for gravure or flexographic printing. Flexographic techniques are particularly effective when handling this ink and utilising materials that have coarser or more permeable surfaces. When working with pearlescent ink in your screen printing projects, use a 43T-77T mesh and a medium-shore rectangular squeegee. Once dry, cure the surface to 165°C for 2-2 ½ minutes.

If you like our pearlescent ink, give our pearlescent pigments a go! We aim to satisfy every requirement. From an opulent satin finish to a glittery, iridescent shine, whatever is called for- we have these pigments on hand!