Special Liquid Colours for Plastisol

Special liquid colours for plastisol are intended for recipes that need a more specific colour character than a clean primary shade. They can create a translucent body, smoky or earthy back, warm amber layer, darker contrast, delicate belly or a distinct colour accent. The liquid pigment paste is mixed into base plastisol; it is not ready-to-use plastisol, glitter, a dry pigment or a surface airbrush colour.

This range is not one shared effect. Transparent shades provide translucent colour, the Motor Oil family covers muted smoky, brown, green-olive and reddish directions, while the remaining names identify individual recipe colours. One description of transparency, opacity, UV response or behaviour therefore cannot be applied to the category as a whole.

A shade name is a point of orientation, not a complete technical specification. Motor Oil by itself does not confirm colour shift or a dichroic effect. Transparent does not mean a colourless result. Names such as RootBeer, Water Melon, BubbleGum and Bee Larvae indicate a colour direction, not flavour, scent or a guaranteed imitation of a particular food source.

Concentrate in the bottle can appear considerably darker and less translucent than the finished bait. Once it is dispersed in plastisol, the actual dose, base clarity and casting thickness become visible. A thin tail, medium flank and solid body can show three different levels of intensity from the same recipe. The decisive reference is a cooled sample made in the real thickness of the product.

Build intensity especially carefully with transparent colours. A further addition not only increases saturation; it can also reduce light transmission and cover glitter or an inner layer. If you want to preserve a translucent character, compare samples against both light and dark backgrounds and inspect them with light passing through the material.

Special shades are particularly useful in laminated baits. An amber, olive, smoky or dark layer can form the back or flank, while a lighter or stronger colour separates the belly, tail or a smaller signal accent. Test the combination as a whole; two successful colours assessed separately may produce a different contrast once they sit next to each other.

A custom recipe can also be adjusted with a small amount of SaBoFlex standard liquid colour. When mixing this way, prepare a small batch first and record the order and quantity of every addition. A single drop of a dark or saturated colour can shift a transparent or muted base substantially, and that addition cannot be taken back.

Pigment components may settle during storage. Before every use, shake the bottle thoroughly or stir its contents until colour and consistency are 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 with the colour.

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 special colour only after the plastisol is hot, then stir thoroughly after every small addition. The true shade and transparency cannot be assessed reliably in a cold, milky base.

There is no universal number of drops per 100 g of plastisol. Drop size depends on the dosing tip, while the result changes with the plastisol, colour, casting thickness, other pigments and light. For repeatable batches, record the weight of plastisol, the dose of every colour, the layer construction and the amount of any other additives.

A special colour is not automatically fluo or metallic. Expect fluorescence, UV response, afterglow, pearl or interference only when the specific product description explicitly states that property. For these purposes, use the separate ranges of fluo colours and light-effect additives or liquid metallic colours.

If you want to add separate sparkling particles to a recipe, establish the base shade first and only then add glitter intended for plastisol working temperatures. In transparent mixes, check that the amount of colour keeps the glitter visible. Always verify a new combination in a small test batch.

Liquid pigment paste and powder pigment for plastisol are not two pack sizes of the same product. A powder requires its own weighing, dispersion and safe-handling procedure. Dosing and recipes must therefore not be transferred between the two forms at a 1:1 ratio.

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.

Frequently asked questions – special liquid colours for plastisol

How do special liquid colours differ from the Standard range?

Standard is the core colour palette. Special brings together transparent, natural-looking, Motor Oil and other recipe-led shades with a more specific colour role. It is not, however, one shared technical effect.

Are all special colours transparent?

No. Transparency applies only to part of the range and is stated directly in the product name or description. Even then, the final transparency is affected by dose, plastisol and casting thickness.

Does Motor Oil automatically mean colour shift?

No. Motor Oil is an established colour-family name, but it does not by itself confirm a dichroic or angle-dependent effect. Judge the actual shade from the individual product and a cooled sample.

Do special colours have UV, fluo or metallic effects?

Not automatically. Expect such a property only when the description of the individual colour states it. Use the relevant dedicated range for targeted fluorescence, UV response, afterglow or metallic sheen.

Can a special shade be mixed with a standard colour?

Yes, but begin with a small test batch. Record every addition and verify the mix on a cooled cast because a small quantity of saturated colour may substantially change a transparent or muted base.

When and how much special 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 and assess the shade only on a cooled sample.

Can special colour be combined with glitter and laminates?

Yes. Establish the colour first, then the layer construction and finally the glitter. Test the complete combination in a small batch because neighbouring colour and glitter can alter both contrast and transparency.

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