Liquid Fluo Colours and Light-Effect Additives for Plastisol

Liquid fluo colours for plastisol can create a vivid full body, contrasting belly, coloured tail, one laminate layer or a smaller signal accent on a soft bait. This category does not contain colours alone. Alongside classic and transparent fluo shades, it includes UV Activator and Glow in the Dark, which perform different functions and must not be described or used as one universal product type.

Fluorescence, UV response and phosphorescent afterglow are not the same. A fluo colour creates a specific shade and its fluorescent appearance depends on illumination by a suitable source. UV Activator is a functional additive for a colour base you have already selected and does not produce its own afterglow once the light is removed. Glow in the Dark is a phosphorescent paste that continues to emit light in darkness after prior illumination.

The Fluo category therefore has a clear role of its own. It is not a substitute for the standard palette, metallic colours or every special shade. Use it when you need fluorescent colour, a transparent fluo layer, separately added UV response or afterglow. Do not transfer a wavelength, reaction strength, glow colour or glow duration from one product to another unless the manufacturer states it for that exact product.

Do not judge the result only in the bottle or in a hot mix. Make a cooled cast and inspect it first in ordinary light. Then compare a fluo colour or UV Activator under the same suitable UV source, from the same distance and, where possible, in the same ambient light. Illuminate Glow in the Dark for the same length of time before comparing its afterglow in darkness.

Dose and casting thickness are especially important with transparent fluo colours. A thin section of a bait may transmit more light and look different from a solid body made from the same mix. A further addition can strengthen the colour while also changing its transparency. Transparent in the product name does not mean colourless, nor does it by itself define UV intensity or behaviour in every plastisol.

Add UV Activator only after you have established the required base colour. Test its contribution by comparing two cooled samples made to the same recipe, one without the activator and one with it. If a colour already has a strong UV response of its own, the difference may be less apparent than it is in a standard or special shade without that property.

With Glow in the Dark, the result is influenced by paste dose, base plastisol, bait thickness, other pigments, the length and intensity of illumination and surrounding light. Dark or heavily coloured components can alter light transmission, but their effect cannot be predicted reliably without the actual recipe. Test the complete intended combination rather than the paste on its own.

Fluo pigments and functional components may settle during storage. Before every use, shake or stir the contents thoroughly until consistency is even. Homogenising can be made easier with clean, completely dry stainless-steel mixing balls: use 2 balls in a 50 g bottle and 2–3 balls in a 250 g bottle. Mixing balls are not included.

Stir the base plastisol slowly from the bottom and heat it according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a clear working state. Add the homogenised colour or additive in small increments only after the plastisol is hot. Stir thoroughly after every addition, make a small cast and allow it to cool before assessment.

There is no universal number of drops per 100 g of plastisol for either fluo colours or the two light-effect additives. Drop size depends on the bottle tip, and the result changes with the plastisol, base colour, casting thickness and testing conditions. For repeatability, record the weight of plastisol, the dose of each component, the light source used and, for Glow in the Dark, the illumination time.

Add glitter and other visual additives only after establishing the base colour and required light behaviour. Glitter creates separate particles and points of flash; it does not automatically provide fluorescence or afterglow. Test a new combination in a small batch because glitter and other pigments can alter light transmission and the visibility of the original effect.

Liquid fluo pastes and powder pigments for plastisol are not interchangeable at a 1:1 ratio. A powder has its own weighing, dispersion and safe-handling requirements. When switching between a liquid concentrate and powder, prepare a fresh test recipe and follow the instructions for the specific product.

When working with hot plastisol, wear safety glasses, heat-resistant gloves, long clothing and closed footwear. Work on a stable, heat-resistant surface with effective ventilation. Keep containers and tools clean and completely dry, avoid overheating the mixture and follow the product label, Safety Data Sheet and manufacturer’s instructions.

For a classic base palette, choose standard liquid colours. Pearlescent, metallic and interference sheen belongs to liquid metallic colours, while transparent, Motor Oil and other recipe-led shades are found among SaBoFlex special liquid colours.

Frequently asked questions – fluo colours and light-effect additives

What is the difference between fluo colour, UV Activator and Glow in the Dark?

A fluo colour creates both a specific shade and fluorescent response under suitable illumination. UV Activator adds UV response to another colour. Glow in the Dark is a phosphorescent paste designed to produce afterglow following prior illumination.

Does every fluo colour glow after the light is removed?

No. Fluorescence is visible while the material is illuminated by a suitable source. Afterglow once that source is removed is a property of Glow in the Dark, not an automatic property of every fluo colour or UV Activator.

When should I choose a transparent fluo colour?

Choose it when you want a fluorescent colour direction while retaining more influence from the clear base, bait thickness or neighbouring layer. Always confirm the actual transparency on a cooled cast made in the intended thickness.

Can UV Activator be added to any shade?

It is designed to add UV response to an existing colour base, but the scale of the result may vary. Make two matching samples, one with activator and one without, and compare them under the same UV source.

How should I test Glow in the Dark?

Allow the test cast to cool, illuminate it with the same source for the same period each time, then compare the afterglow in darkness under consistent conditions. Assess the recipe in the actual thickness of the bait.

When and how much colour or additive should I add?

Add the homogenised product in small increments to plastisol that is already hot and clear. There is no universal number of drops. Stir after each addition and verify the effect on a cooled sample.

Can fluo colour or a light-effect additive be combined with glitter?

Yes, but establish the colour and required light behaviour first. Add glitter afterwards and test the complete combination in a small batch because it may alter light transmission and the visibility of the effect.

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