Hello from All That Printing!
For those planning to create acrylic merch, today we’re diving deep into the latest trend: Colored Acrylic.
While classic clear acrylic is sleek and pretty, more creators are now choosing colored acrylic bases to match their character concepts or brand identities.
Let’s explore the unique characteristics of each, based on transparency and texture!
1. Shimmering Like Glass Beads [Translucent Colored Acrylic]
The most popular choice and the perfect entry-level material for colored acrylics.
- Features: A colored acrylic base that remains transparent. Under sunlight, it looks as clear and vibrant as stained glass or glass marbles.
- Pros: Its main charm is the colored shadow cast on the ground when light passes through. It pairs perfectly with "Summer," "Ocean," or "Jewelry" themes.
- Pro-Tip: It looks best with illustrations that don't have a solid background color, allowing the transparency to shine.
2. Vivid and Pop Charm [Opaque Colored Acrylic]
Solid-colored acrylic with zero transparency.
- Features: It has a vibe similar to primary-colored toys or LEGO bricks. Since it's completely opaque, designs appear exceptionally vivid against the colored base.
- Pros: Ideal for high-contrast designs like logos, text, and pixel art. Perfect for expressing a kitschy and pop aesthetic.
- Pro-Tip: Images stand out clearly without needing a white background layer, thanks to the bold color of the acrylic itself.
3. The Standard of Luxury [Astel (Matte/Frosted) Acrylic]
One of the most preferred materials among modern merch creators.
- Features: Acrylic with a soft, matte texture created by finely etching the surface to produce a frosted effect.
- Types:
- Colored Astel: Colored acrylic with a matte finish, giving off a soft, pastel vibe.
- Clear Astel: Also known as "Frosted Acrylic," it offers a semi-transparent, high-end glass look.
- Pros: It has a smooth, velvety touch and is much more resistant to fingerprints and scratches than gloss acrylic. Low reflection makes it look even better in photos.
- Pro-Tip: Choose this for emotional illustrations or designs that require a warm, sophisticated atmosphere.
💡 Things to Note When Working with Colored Acrylic
- Be Mindful of Color Selection: Since the acrylic base itself has a strong color, check if it contrasts poorly with your design colors (e.g., placing a yellow character on purple acrylic).
- Utilize White Layer Printing: To prevent the acrylic color from bleeding through your design, it’s crucial to print a "White Layer" underneath your artwork. Omitting the white layer can create a unique effect where the acrylic and design colors blend.
The same design can result in a completely different vibe depending on the acrylic board you choose. If you want to create unique, personalized merch, why not try the colored acrylic lineup we introduced today? Pick the perfect material for your vision and complete your amazing merch! 🎨
👉 Click here to create samples for Colored / Translucent / Astel Acrylic Keyrings
Post a Comment