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Color Special Effects Technologies

RTP Company's colorists know and understand the many variables that affect the way color is perceived in plastic application. RTP Company's expertise in the field of coloring thermoplastics provides the creativity, consistency, and reliability necessary for success. Custom special effects from RTP Company are available as masterbatches, precolored resins or compounds.

Appearance Effects

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Metallic
Adding metallic shine and shimmer will give your plastic applications the look of polished steel or brushed aluminum. With these metallic effects you will achieve a professional, polished appearance.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 2x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Pearlescent
The radiance and luster of pearls are captured in an iridescent effect from light interacting with multiple surfaces. This effect is best achieved in resins that have high refractive indexes.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Pearl Marble
Offering the luster of pearlescents mixed with the richness of marbles flow, this effect provides a unique visual appearance.
Resins: PC, Alloys
Mode: Precolor Only
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge
 
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Sparkle Mist
Glass encapsulated pearlescent particles add a dramatic sparkle effect to applications. Glimmer effects require a smooth surface finish and a transparent resin.
Resins: PP, PC, PS, SAN, PMMA
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 8x to 10x Normal Color Charge

  
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Iridescent
Richness and an illusion of depth are projected by the shades of soft, yet intense color visible at varying angles from these otherwise milky appearing compounds.
Resins: All (Transparent Better)
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 2x to 4x Normal Color Charge
 
  
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Fluorescent
Brightly colored pigments and dyes yield intense eye-catching colors that demand attention.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 2x to 4x Normal Color Charge
 
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Edge Glow
Edge glow colorants absorb UV light and re-emit the energy in the form of longer wave lengths. The light reflects off the internal surfaces to create an glowing effect on edges.
Resins: PC, SAN, PMMA
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Transparent
Tinting transparent resins with dyes creates an appearance change that transforms the tone of transmitted light for functional purposes or allows easy identification of parts.
Resins: PP, PC, PS, SAN, PMMA
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 2x Normal Color Charge 		 

Material Effects

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Wood Grain
Selected pigments and special molding techniques are combined to produce characteristics akin to broad patterns seen in natural wood grains.
Resins: PP, PE, Styrenics
Mode: Masterbatch Only
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Misty Pearl
Holographic particles take the traditional metal flake effect to a new level, dazzling the eye with multi-colored highlights. Glimmer effects require a smooth surface finish and a transparent resin.
Resins: PP, PC, PS, SAN, PMMA
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Stone/Granite/Marble
Create the look and feel of natural stones and granite-like surfaces. Proprietary formulations can be adapted for various desired effects.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge
 
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Tortoise Shell
Contrasting, non-homogeneous pigments are added to translucent or solid base colors to create this shell-like appearance effect.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge 		 
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Camouflage
Until now, the only way to recreate an authentic military or hunters' camouflage was to use printed overlays. We have created a desirable camouflage effect that can be injection or blow molded in plastics.
Resins: PP, PE
Mode: Masterbatch Only
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge 		 
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Low Gloss
By lowering the gloss of certain bright and shiny plastics, this technology can increase the perceived value of your application.
Resins: PP, ABS
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 2x Normal Color Charge
 

Shifting Effects

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Glow-in-the-Dark
Phosphorescent pigments absorb energy and re-emit it as light. A wide variety of daylight and after-glow color combinations are possible. Type 1 compounds charge quickly and offer brighter and longer after-glow properties. Type 2 compounds are more traditional in their properties, but are often more economical.
Resins: All (Transparent Better)
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 8x to 10x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
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Photochromatic
Exposure to the UV rays in sunlight initiate a color change in these compounds, from light translucent colors to deep blue, red, or green tones. This effect is limited to low modulus resins.
Resins: PP, PE, TPEs
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: Over 10x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
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Thermochromatic
Change in temperature causes a change in hue for these compounds. Formulations can be keyed to specific temperature ranges. Hot or cold are possible. This effect is limited to low modulus resins.
Resins: PP, PE, TPEs
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: Over 10x Normal Color Charge
 
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Chroma-Shift
A precise combination of pigments and dyes causes a dramatic color shift between two contrasting tones. The resulting metamerism is commonly called a "chameleon effect."
Resins: All (Transparent Better)
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: Over 10x Normal Color Charge 		   

Functional Effects

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Laser-Markable
Laser light reacts with plastics to create crisp, permanent, abrasion-resistant marking. Special formulations create different colors, increasing contrast between the marking and the base material.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 2x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Light Reflective
Highly reflective particles suspended in transparent resins offer the unique characteristic of reflecting light and intensifying the surface appearance, while light still passes through the material.
Resins: PP, PC, SAN, PMMA
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 8x to 10x Normal Color Charge 		[photo]
Light Diffusion
Special light diffusing technology creates a smooth translucent or frosted look that is excellent for hiding internal components while still allowing significant light to be transmitted. Excellent for use with LED lighting.
Resins: PP, PC, SAN, PMMA
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge
 
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Infrared
Infrared thermoplastic compounds are tuned to be transparent or opaque to specific long wavelengths.
Resins: PP, PC, SAN
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 4x to 10x Normal Color Charge
 
  
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Fragrances/Flavors
Enhance the sensory effect of plastics by adding a fresh scent as in lavender or citrus or by evoking a link with foods by adding a flavor like vanilla or strawberries.
Resins: PP, PE, TPEs
Mode: Masterbatch
Cost: 4x Normal Color Charge
 
  
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Laser Welding
A combination of colorants facilitate bonding by laser-welding of different polymers in black, colored and transparent applications.
Resins: PP, ABS, POM, PC, PMMA, PBT, PA 6, PES, PSU
Mode: Masterbatch or Precolor
Cost: 8x to 10x Normal Color Charge
 
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Security
Microscopic color-coded wafers and unique chemicals can be engineered into thermoplastic compounds. These technologies can be used to trace products and identify counterfeits.
Resins: All
Mode: Masterbatch Only
Cost: 6x Normal Color Charge 		   

Special Effects Brochure

Showcase for many innovative and unique coloring options that can make your product stand out from the crowd and appeal to trend-setting consumers. Download your copy today!