T-Shirts
Custom tees for teams, events, brands and fundraisers.
Screen PrintingDTG Printing
from$10.50/unitex GST
Print method
Specialty Finishes
Add texture and shine to a standard print: 3D puff that rises off the garment, or foil and metallic finishes that catch the light. They're upgrades on top of screen printing or transfers, perfect for hero pieces and premium merch drops.
Is it right for you?
Best for, and not ideal for
Best for
- Streetwear and merch drops
- Hero pieces and limited runs
- Making a logo pop
- Raised puff detail on caps and hoodies
Not ideal for
- Budget-focused bulk orders
- Fine detail, since puff and foil need bold shapes
Behind the scenes
How it works
Your design is prepared with the effect layer marked.
The base print is applied (usually screen printing or a transfer).
The puff, foil or metallic layer is added on top.
The finish is cured so the effect stays put through washing.
The details
Minimums, durability and colour
Minimum order
50 units
Colours
Depends on the finish; ask us for the current range
Hand feel
Textured: raised (puff) or smooth and reflective (foil, metallic)
Durability
Good with careful washing; avoid high heat
Price guide
From $3 per layer (ex GST), added on top of the base print's price
Setup
Extra setup for the effect layer, on top of the base print's setup
Turnaround
Adds to the base print's turnaround; ask us for an estimate
Prices are indicative, in AUD and exclude GST. Your quote confirms the final price for your artwork, quantity and delivery. Benchmarked against competitor pricing and reasonable market defaults (Hasan, 2026-09-24) — confirm against real supplier costs and margin before launch.
How specialty finishes rates
- Detail and colour range3 out of 5 Good
- Durability4 out of 5 Very good
- Soft feel1 out of 5 Basic
- Suits small runs3 out of 5 Good
- Value in bulk2 out of 5 Fair
Compare
How it compares to the other methods
| Feature | Screen Printing | DTG Printing | DTF Printing | Sublimation Printing | Embroidery | Specialty FinishesThis method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detail and colour rangeFine lines, gradients and lots of colours | 3 out of 5 Good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 2 out of 5 Fair | 3 out of 5 Good |
| DurabilityHow well it holds up to washing and wear | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 3 out of 5 Good | 4 out of 5 Very good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 4 out of 5 Very good |
| Soft feelHow light and comfortable it feels to wear | 3 out of 5 Good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 3 out of 5 Good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 2 out of 5 Fair | 1 out of 5 Basic |
| Suits small runsGood value for a handful of pieces | 2 out of 5 Fair | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 4 out of 5 Very good | 4 out of 5 Very good | 3 out of 5 Good | 3 out of 5 Good |
| Value in bulkHow much cheaper it gets on big orders | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 2 out of 5 Fair | 3 out of 5 Good | 3 out of 5 Good | 3 out of 5 Good | 2 out of 5 Fair |
| Best for | Runs of 25 pieces or more | Full-colour and photographic artwork | Full-colour designs on cotton, polyester and blends | Full-colour artwork, gradients and photographs | Left-chest logos on polos and workwear | Streetwear and merch drops |
| Minimum order | 20 units | 5 units | 5 units | 10 units | 5 units | 50 units |
| Colours | Priced per colour; most jobs use 1 to 4 colours | No colour limit; gradients and photos are fine | No colour limit; gradients and photos are fine | No colour limit; gradients and photographs are suitable | Thread colours matched from a chart; priced by stitch count | Depends on the finish; ask us for the current range |
| How it feels | Ink sits on the surface, so heavier coverage feels slightly raised | Very soft: the ink soaks into the fibres instead of sitting on top | Smooth and flexible; a thin layer sits on top of the fabric | No raised ink layer on compatible polyester fabric; the colour is part of the surface | Textured and slightly raised, with a stiffer feel under the logo | Textured: raised (puff) or smooth and reflective (foil, metallic) |
| Durability | Excellent: the toughest option for repeat washing | Good, though not as tough as screen printing over many washes | Very good on most fabrics | Excellent on compatible substrates; the design will not crack or peel | Outstanding: stitching outlasts most garments | Good with careful washing; avoid high heat |
| Setup | $63 setup per colour (screens), reusable for repeat orders at half price with the same artwork | $63 one-off file-prep fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | $63 one-off file-prep fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | $118 one-off file-prep fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | $73 one-off digitising fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | Extra setup for the effect layer, on top of the base print's setup |
| Price guide | From $1.50 per print at volume (ex GST); depends on garment, colours and quantity | From $7.90 per print (ex GST); no per-colour setup, depends on garment and quantity | From $2.90 per print (ex GST); no per-colour setup, depends on garment and quantity | From $27.90 per item (ex GST); depends on product, print area and quantity | From $3.90 per item (ex GST); depends on stitch count and quantity | From $3 per layer (ex GST), added on top of the base print's price |
Where it's used
Products suited to specialty finishes
Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Heavyweight, cosy and made to be worn on repeat.
Screen PrintingDTG Printingfrom$34.00/unitex GST
Caps & Headwear
Embroidered caps and beanies with your logo front and centre.
EmbroiderySpecialty Finishesfrom$11.50/unitex GST
Hi-Vis & Uniforms
Hi-vis and workwear branded for the job site.
Screen PrintingDTF Printingfrom$30.00/unitex GST
Questions
Specialty Finishes FAQs
Puff is a raised, 3D effect that stands off the garment. Foil and metallic finishes add a mirror-like shine. Both work best on bold shapes rather than fine detail, and are added on top of a standard print or transfer.
Wash inside out in cold water, avoid bleach and high heat, and don't iron directly on the print. Hang dry or tumble dry on low.
Related methods
You might also consider
Screen Printing
The workhorse for bold, hard-wearing prints in bulk.
- Runs of 25 pieces or more
- Logos and bold graphics (1 to 4 colours)
How it works and what it costs
Embroidery
Stitched logos that look premium and last for years.
- Left-chest logos on polos and workwear
- Caps and beanies
How it works and what it costs
Ready to print with specialty finishes?
Upload your artwork, tell us what you need, and we'll send a free digital proof and a firm price.