Special Effect Masterbatches

Our special effect range covers glitter, metallic, pearlescent, wood, transparent, fluorescent, marble, granite and glow-in-the-dark finishes. These are produced with effect pigments rather than conventional colourants, so they change how the surface interacts with light rather than simply adding a hue. See shimmer effect masterbatches for how shimmer effects are built up.

Yes — that is the main commercial reason to use a metallic effect masterbatch. Aluminium or metal-effect pigments moulded into the part give a metallic appearance in a single step, with no secondary painting, plating or metallising operation, no solvent handling, and no coating to chip or peel. The trade-off is that the effect is subtler than a true metallised surface and is sensitive to part geometry.

Because effect pigments are flake-shaped and orient with the melt flow. Wherever two flow fronts meet, the flakes align differently on either side and reflect light differently, so the weld line becomes visible even though the part is structurally sound. It is a tooling and gating problem as much as a material one — gate position, flow length and injection speed all change how visible it is. Trial early.

Phosphorescent pigment absorbs light and re-emits it over time, so brightness decays from the moment the light source is removed — very bright initially, then fading over a period of hours. Performance depends on the pigment loading, the part thickness and how well the part was charged. Because the pigment particles are relatively large and abrasive, part design and processing need to account for that.

Yes. Granite and marble effects are produced with contrasting speckle particles dispersed through the base colour, and are widely used on furniture, storage products and water tanks and pipes where a plain moulded surface would look cheap or would show scuffing. The speckle size and contrast are both specifiable.

Injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion and sheet applications all work, but effect pigments are shear-sensitive — glitter and flake pigments can be broken down by an aggressive screw or a restrictive gate, which dulls the effect. Tell us the process and we will advise on the pigment type and on any processing changes worth making.

Yes. Most effect grades are supplied as a colour plus effect combination — a pearl over a tinted base, a metallic in a specific shade, a fluorescent matched to a brand colour. Send the target and we will match it; see Color Masterbatches and our shade card.

Yes. Life Color Pigments & Masterbatches is a special effect masterbatch manufacturer in India, producing at Vasai East, Palghar, Maharashtra, alongside our colour masterbatch, white masterbatch, black masterbatch and fragrance masterbatch ranges. Read more about us, see our certifications, or contact us.