The Secret to T-Shirts That Move with You

Ever seen a print that changes as you move? Maybe on an old-school Pokémon card or a limited-edition movie poster? Well, guess what—you can get that same shifting, moving effect on fabric with lenticular screen printing. This is the secret sauce behind one of the coolest screen print techniques out there, and today, we’re going to break it down for you.

From Trading Cards to T-Shirts: The Evolution of Lenticular Printing

Lenticular prints, also known as “wiggle pictures”, “flickers” or “tilt cards” have been wowing audiences for decades, but their journey from paper to fabric is a fascinating one. The lenticular effect dates back to the 1940s, when it was used for novelty postcards and advertisements. By layering multiple images beneath a plastic lenticular lens, designers could create dynamic, shifting visuals that responded to movement.

Lenticular printing truly took off in the 1990s, becoming a pop culture staple. Some of the most iconic examples include Pokémon trading cards, sports collector cards, cereal box prizes, and movie posters like “The Matrix” and “Star Wars” that seemed to animate as you walked past them. High-end brands also experimented with lenticular prints in marketing campaigns, using them to grab attention in a way static designs couldn’t.

However, traditional lenticular prints required a rigid plastic lens, making them unsuitable for soft surfaces like textiles. That’s where lenticular screen printing comes in—it recreates the same shifting effect without the need for a plastic overlay, using special inks and precise screen printing techniques instead.

What is Lenticular Screen Printing?

Lenticular screen printing lets you showcase 2 to 3 different images in one design, depending on the angle it’s viewed from. Think of it as printing an optical illusion right onto a T-shirt which flips between images. With this effect you can easily achieve; an animation or moving print or a flip between different images. Inspired from the traditional technology, lenticular screen printing works by creating raised ink domes, layered with contrasting colours on each side to recreate the effect.

A look at February’s POTM: The Batman / Riddler Lenticular Screenprint

For our Product of the Month, we’ve chosen to pay homage to International Coatings’ impressive Batman / Riddler lenticular design. One moment you’ll see The Riddler, and from another perspective, Batman will emerge. It’s an effect that’s visually stunning and impossible to ignore.

If you want a step-by-step breakdown of how it’s done, watch this video from International Coatings:

How to Ace Lenticular Printing on Fabric

1. Keep It Simple & Bold: This effect works best when the design is clean and high-contrast. Forget tiny details—think big, bold shapes and colours that maximise the visual shift.

2. Pick Colours That Pop: Contrast is king. Using opposite colours makes the shift between images more obvious. The sharper the difference, the cooler the transition.

3. Raised Inks Make It Happen: The technique pioneered by Kieth Stevens at International Coatings, called “Gellusion” uses a special gel-based ink that, when heated, creates tiny domes on the fabric. These peaks and valleys act like lenticular lenses, making the dual-image shift possible. At Screenworks we recreated this effect with puff ink – which creates an almost identical result!

Why Lenticular Printing is a Must-Have for Branded Merch & Promo Gear:

• It’s an instant eye-catcher! While we’re all competing for attention, lenticular prints make people stop, look, and interact with the design.
• Great for limited edition drops: Create exclusive merch that sells out fast. Scarcity = demand.
• Works Across Industries: Sports teams, gaming companies, music festivals—anyone looking for next-level promotional gear can use lenticular printing to create something unforgettable.
• Perfect for gamified Promotions – Hide special messages or dual logos in the print to create interactive brand experiences.

Lenticular screen printing is the ultimate flex for promotional apparel. It grabs attention, makes a statement, and delivers a premium, interactive experience that standard prints just can’t match.

If you’re serious about levelling up your brand’s merch, contact us at [email protected]