Most classic Chrome Hearts hoodies are thick and raised due to the extensive use of high-density plastisol ink. Plastisol ink is a PVC based ink, which remains on the surface of the garment, versus water-based inks which penetrate the fabric and dye the fibers. The printers use several layers of this ink using low-mesh screens when it comes to premium 500+ GSM cotton fleece. This produces a very substantial, rubbery layer of protection on the fabric, lending the iconic horseshoe logos and floral sleeve prints their three dimensional weight.

Chemistry Thermal Curing and Solidification.

Plastisol ink is a special type of ink that will not dry at room temperature, but instead must be heated during a thermal curing process. The thick layers of ink on the chromeheartshoodie.us are then screen-printed and put onto a high-temperature conveyor dryer, which heats the hoodie up to temperatures between 160°C and 180°C. The high temperatures melt the plastic in the ink, allowing it to fuse together flawlessly, and fix the design in place. Through this curing process, it is able to retain its distinct structure for years without cracking, flaking or washing off over time, which is what makes the thick print possible.

The High-Contrast Underbase Technique

For those crisp, dark-to-white prints that are printed on pitch-black heavy fleece without the dark fabric bleeding through, a technical printing process called "flash curing an underbase" is employed. The printers first bed low a solid white primer layer of plastisol ink, and immediately strike it with a brief exposure to hotness to partially "bake" the ink. After this base is dry and hard, they print the same design on top with a second thick layer of ink. The multi-pass stacking produces the brand's signature ultra-bright, high-contrast graphics that have a thick feel to the touch, which is exactly what the brand is looking for.

This is the Matty Boy Variant Puffy Inks and Expansion.

Sometimes the print style changes from normal high density plastisol to a special puff ink for special collaborative releases, or for the Matty Boy chrome hearts hoodies specifically. This is done by adding a chemical blowing agent, or "puff additive" to the plastisol ink prior to printing. The hoodie is fed into the thermal curing dryer and the heat expands the blowing agent, resulting in foaming inside the hoodie. This results in an even thicker, sponge-like, marshmallowy texture, rising much higher off the garment than normal prints, giving the hand-drawn art a unique pop-art dimension.

The Archival Exceptions Water-Based Discharge and Foil

Sometimes, rather than using thick plastisol, older or limited edition or lightweight jerseys are used for other ink styles. Archival designs can utilize discharge ink, a water-based chemistry that removes the black dye from the cotton fibers and leaves behind a soft white chemistry, creating an absolutely flat print. Also, with a special adhesive inks solution, a metallic silver version is created by applying heat pressed metallic foil sheets, giving a perfect finish of the bright, reflective metallic look of the brand's sterling silver hardware.