Special Effects

Broadway is a market leader in special effects for plastics. We’ve developed an extensive effects portfolio which proves popular with brand owners. Our frosted effect for PET has been described as the best on the market. We’ve been supplying special effects for branded plastic packaging for over 20 years. Our customers can be sure that our materials will be compliant with any regulatory requirements they specify.

Sparkle Special Effect Masterbatch Plaques

Achieved using a select group of pigments, special effects are increasingly favoured in the design of modern plastic components. Our special effects portfolio has been utilised by brands such as Nescafe, Glade, V05 and Sensodyne. If you’re seeking visual distinction, then our special effect masterbatches can give your products the edge over your competitors’. Masterbatch typically forms a very small proportion of overall material and production costs, but a little extra investment here can make a huge difference to your plastic packaging or end product.

Broadway’s range of special effects for plastics

Here are our most popular special effects, favoured by brand owners and plastic moulders. Combined with custom colours, the possibilities are almost limitless.

Metallic

metallic effect plaques

The main metallic pigments consist of aluminium, bronze and copper powders. These are produced in a variety of particle sizes and colours to give coarse or smooth effects. They are commonly used in the automotive industry. The particle size of the metallic pigment is particularly important with issues such as weld or flow lines in the final moulding.

Sparkle

Sparkle Effect masterbatch plaques

Sparkle pigments offer a very striking appearance, elevating the visual impact of plastic items. They fall into the same category as Metallic pigments. Coloured flecks of aluminium are used to provide the effect. Available in a variety of particle sizes to achieve a coarse or smooth effect. Sparkle effects are popular in moulding applications such as caps, electric toothbrushes, automotive dashboards and artificial marble – to create the metallic sparkling effect.

Pearlescent

Pearlescent effect masterbatch plaques

Pearlescent pigments are made of granules of mica coated in titanium dioxide. The mica can also be coated in other pigments to give a variety of colour effects. Differences in manufacturing can be employed to produce two and three coloured effects, the perceived colour will change depending on the angle the surface of the plastic is viewed at. Like metallic pigments, pearlescent pigments come in a number of particle sizes – providing smoother or coarser effects. This effect is popular in the automotive industry, with applications such as coatings as well as injection and blow mouldings.

Frosted

Frosted Effect Masterbatch for PET

According to our customers, Broadway’s frosted effect is the only PET effect on the market to give a true frosted finish. Utilised in injection stretch blow moulding, this effect is particularly useful in trans colours. In opaque colours, the effect is great in allowing a matt finish to be achieved, without the need to change or modify your tool. The effect does not impact printing or labelling, further increasing its versatility. The beauty of this effect is that it can be added to any existing PET colour you have. The effect can be supplied within a colour masterbatch, or, as an additive for natural bottles or to combine with existing stock colours.

Interference

Bubblegum Special Effect plaque

Interference pigments fall into the same category as pearlescent colours. Titanium coating is used to create interference. As the thickness of the titanium coating is increased, interference of visible reflected light takes place. Three colours can then be seen, subject to the colorants used, backgrounds and viewing angle.

Fibre

Fibre Effect Plaques

These effects incorporate small fibres in to the polymer. Different particle sizes can be used to deliver a range of special effects in a wide variety of polymers. They are mainly used as a decorative addition to the final moulding. These effects typically provide a matt finish and are utilised in household items such as plant pots, waste bins and utensils. Broadway is currently developing a new range of fibre and speckle effects utilising sustainable materials.

Marble

Storm Marble effect plaque

Our marble effects provide a great solution for anyone looking to produce one-of-a-kind mouldings. The marble effect is achieved by dosing a carefully curated masterbatch mix under specific processing conditions. This results in a random, marble-like appearance, meaning no two mouldings will ever look exactly the same. Our marble effects are typically compatible with polyolefins and are suitable for applications such as HDPE bottles, LDPE tubes and PP caps.

These effects do rely on the moulder to achieve the optimum processing conditions.

Laser Marking

Additive masterbatch for laser marking

Traditionally, containers have been marked with printing to add information such as lot numbers and sell-by dates. By using an additive masterbatch the surface of the plastic can be marked directly using an industrial laser. The advantage of using lasers over labels is their flexibility. With labels, a slight change to the spec could mean scrapping printed labels and starting again, incurring greater costs for design, print and application. With lasers, a simple programming adjustment is all that’s required. Laser-marking can also be utilised for decorative applications and for marking plastic keys, tags and buttons. This additive can be combined with other effects to provide visual enhancements at the same time. Often used in the packaging of consumer goods, this effect offers the ultimate solution for marking your products quickly, permanently and cost effectively.

Fluorescent

Glow in the dark plaques

Fluorescent pigments will flouresce under an ultra-violet light and will be far brighter than any organic or inorganic pigments. This effect is popular in outdoor applications such as decorative and protective clothing.

Luminescent

Luminescent masterbatch effect - Fire exit sign

Luminescent pigments will glow in the dark when no light is available. They absorb invisible UV radiation and emit the energy as visible light of a particular colour. Our eyes perceive this light as a glow. Luminescent effects are commonly used in safety signs as well as packaging and toys.

Photochromic

Photochromic Effect

These pigments respond to light and will change colour in natural daylight. Photochromic effects are generally used in promotional items and toys.

Thermochromic

Thermochromic Effect

These pigments change colour when the polymer is subjected to heat. The pigments can be tailor made to change from one specified colour to another. A range of colours are achievable. The colours can also be engineered to change at specific temperatures. Thermochromic effects are popular in household applications such as spoons, bowls, stirrers, mugs, temperature sensors.

Sandstorm

This is our effect of the month for March.

Glitter particles radiate through a translucent amber base, creating a warm, vibrant sparkle effect with dazzling impact.

Sandstorm is food contact approved and designed for use in SAN or ABS. This sparkle effect could be used in applications such as combs, toothbrushes, lighting, packaging, reusable drinkware and device cases. Your product is sure to go down a storm with this radiant special effect masterbatch.

Sandstorm effect plaque
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Enquire today to see how you can benefit from our high-quality materials.

Colour Masterbatch

Contact our expert team today to discuss your requirements.

Blue Masterbatch in petri dish

What is the cost of Broadway’s colour matching service?

A colour match will usually be free, we’ll do the match and post sample plaques free of charge. On rare occasions where specialist constituents are needed to complete the match then Broadway will be in touch to discuss any associated costs before we start work.

How long will it take to get a colour match?

It will usually take our team 3-5 working days to dispatch a colour match sample following receipt of a new colour match request. Our team process several matches every day, if we have an exceptionally high volume of matches to produce then leadtimes may be longer. We advise all customers to request matches as soon as they can, in order to avoid any delays.

What translucency can I achieve?

Translucency is very much dependent on the polymer you are moulding with. However, even in glass clear materials such as GPPS, translucency is limited to approximately 15% alpha.

Can I get a free sample?

In many cases, small samples can be obtained free of charge. Please call us to discuss your requirements. Postage costs for samples will be dependant on location.

How long will it take for me to get a sample?

A colour sample from our universal range can often be delivered on a next day service. If you request a sample for a custom colour match then this will typically be dispatched within 5-7 working days of receipt of that request, along with your sample plaques.

What are the minimum order quantities for Broadway’s materials?

Universal Masterbatch: 1kg Custom Masterbatch: 5kg Custom Compounds: 25kg Universal Roto powders: Small lots available in multiples of 20kg Custom Roto powders: 1,200kg

How long will it take for my order to be dispatched?

Universal Masterbatch: From one working day (dependent on current stock availability) Custom Masterbatch: From five working days (dependent on current production schedules) Custom Compounds: From five working days (dependent on current production schedules) Universal Roto powders: From one working day (dependent on current stock availability) Custom Roto powders: From three weeks (dependent on current production schedules) Please remember to allow time for delivery. Broadway deliveries are reliant on external courier services.

Can I combine stand-alone effects with my existing colours?

Stand-alone effects can be supplied and combined with your existing colours, but this might not achieve the optimum result. Not all colours and effects are compatible. If you advise our team of your requirements we can advise on a case-by-case basis. Often it’s best for us to formulate a colour and effect masterbatch for you, as opposed to you dosing effects into your existing masterbatches.
Colour powder background

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