Using Pearl Ex Metallic Pigments to Enhance Screen Prints

Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments are metallic pigments that can be mixed into printing inks, acrylics, oils, encaustics and loads more. As printmakers we were keen to see how they could be used in various printmaking applications. We've tested them for relief printing and had some lovely results. Next we're using them for screen printing:

We tested the Pearl Ex pigments by mixing some Citrine Pearl Ex into System 3 Acrylic Screen Printing Medium. 

At first we tested printing with this mixture alone but the result was very pale. For a stronger look, metallic screen printing inks such as Speedball or Jacquard would be ideal.

Instead, it worked very well as a layer on top of a screen print, like this mono screen print below. The translucent layer shifted the colours underneath subtlety and added a lovely soft shine.