Liquid Metallic Colours for Plastisol

Liquid metallic colours for plastisol let you build a full effect body, a pearlescent belly or flank, a darker glossy back or a small accent that catches the light as the bait moves. The liquid pigment paste is mixed into the base plastisol and changes the colour and optical character of the material itself. It is not ready-to-use plastisol, loose glitter, a dry powder pigment or a surface airbrush colour.

This category has a clear role of its own: it brings together liquid metallic, pearl-effect and interference colours. Powder pigments are a separate group of materials and belong in their own category. Both forms can produce a related visual direction, but their dosing, dispersion and finished recipes are not automatically interchangeable.

Liquid and powder are not two pack sizes of the same product. A liquid colour is supplied as a pigment paste that must be homogenised before use and then dosed into plastisol. A powder pigment is a dry additive with its own weighing, dispersion and safe-handling requirements. When changing from one form to the other, prepare a fresh test batch and follow the instructions for that specific product.

Names such as Metallic, Pearl, Silk, Ghost and Interference are useful for initial orientation, but they are not a single technical standard shared by every manufacturer. The colour in the bottle and a product photograph are therefore not exact swatches of a finished lure. The decisive reference is a cooled cast made from the plastisol you actually use.

The base colour and layer construction can change the result substantially. A subtle interference effect may be restrained over a clear or light base and become more pronounced over a darker layer, but this is not a universal rule for every shade. If you are planning a laminated bait, test the effect together with the neighbouring layer and inspect the cooled cast from several angles.

Dose and casting thickness matter as well. A small amount may create only a light tint or sheen, while further additions can strengthen the colour and alter its transparency at the same time. A thin tail and a solid body will not display the same recipe in the same way. More colour does not automatically mean a clearer effect; on the right base, a restrained metallic dose can sometimes read better than a heavily coloured mix.

Effect components may settle during storage. Before every use, shake or stir the concentrate thoroughly until its colour and consistency are even throughout the bottle. 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 with the colour.

First 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 metallic colour in small increments and mix thoroughly after every addition. Make a cooled sample from a drop or a small test cast, then inspect it in daylight and workshop lighting, against both light and dark backgrounds and from more than one angle.

There is no universal number of drops per 100 g of plastisol. Drop size depends on the bottle tip, while the result also depends on the plastisol, colour concentration, bait thickness and any other additives in the mix. For repeatable batches, record the weight of plastisol, the amount and dosing method of the colour, any glitter added and the construction of individual layers.

Liquid metallic colour and glitter are not the same thing. The pigment paste creates the base colour or optical character of the material, whereas glitter remains visible as separate particles and points of flash. If you want to combine both effects, establish the colour first and then add glitter designed for plastisol working temperatures. Always verify a new combination in a small test batch.

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 all 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 shade without a specifically metallic direction, choose SaBoFlex standard liquid colours. For fluorescent shades or separate UV-response and afterglow additives, continue to fluo colours and light-reactive additives.

Frequently asked questions – liquid metallic colours for plastisol

What is the difference between metallic, pearl and interference effects?

Metallic is the broader commercial label used for this effect-colour range. Pearl-effect colours generally create a softer, more continuous sheen, while an interference highlight changes with the background, light and viewing angle. The description of the individual colour is always the deciding guide.

Do all metallic colours change with the viewing angle?

No. A colour-shifting highlight is characteristic mainly of products labelled Ghost or Interference. Other metallic and pearlescent shades may produce a more stable sheen, although its apparent strength will still be influenced by lighting, dose and casting thickness.

What is the difference between a liquid metallic colour and a powder pigment?

A SaBoFlex liquid colour is a pigment paste designed to be homogenised and dosed into plastisol. A powder pigment is a dry additive requiring its own measuring, dispersion and dust-control procedure. Dosing and recipes therefore cannot be transferred between the two forms at a 1:1 ratio.

Why does an interference colour look different on light and dark backgrounds?

The background changes the contrast and the amount of light returned from the effect layer. The effect may appear subtler over a light base and stronger over a dark one. Always confirm the specific combination with your own cooled test cast.

Why does the finished bait look different from the paste in the bottle?

The bottle contains concentrated pigment paste. Once dispersed in plastisol, its appearance is affected by dose, base clarity, bait thickness, adjoining colour layers, lighting and viewing angle. Only a cooled sample provides a reliable working reference.

When and how much liquid metallic colour should I add?

Add the homogenised paste in small increments to plastisol that is already hot and clear. There is no universal number of drops. Stir after every addition, make a cooled sample and record the recipe once the result is right.

Can I combine a liquid metallic colour with glitter?

Yes. Establish the base colour and its effect first, then add a suitable high-temperature glitter. Test every new combination in a small batch because glitter can complement, shift or partially cover the original sheen.

→ Find the complete range of materials, moulds and workshop equipment in Soft Bait Making.