Sanqi International HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish | A New Benchmark in Upper Printing, Combining Flexibility and Support Like a Rigid 3D Thick Paste
In the field of footwear material printing, achieving both three-dimensional, full-bodied structural support in upper lines and soft, comfortable fit during wear has long been a core R&D and production goal for footwear manufacturers. Sanqi International, with deep expertise in water-based chemical technology, proudly launches the HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish—a breakthrough product that perfectly balances flexibility and structural support, replicating the outstanding performance of functional 3D thick paste while being specially designed for upper line printing. It has become the preferred choice for soft, functional inks in footwear materials, unlocking new possibilities in shoe design and manufacturing.
From appearance to performance, the HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish is tailor-made for upper printing. The product presents as a milky white paste with a uniform, fine texture. Particle fineness is controlled below 30μm, ensuring smooth screen passage during printing, accurately reproducing the delicate contours of upper lines without bleeding or material buildup. Each printed line remains crisp and clean. With a precise viscosity of 70,000–90,000 cP and a high solids content of 48–50%, the product balances printability and post-curing 3D texture. After printing, it forms a full, raised line in a single pass—no multiple layers required—greatly improving production efficiency. It provides robust structural support to upper lines, just like traditional 3D thick paste, ensuring lines stand firm and upright, creating a layered, dimensional visual effect on the shoe upper.
As a functional ink focused on soft support, the HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish sets a new industry benchmark in elasticity, perfectly balancing support strength and softness. At room temperature, it withstands over 120,000 bending cycles without cracking. Even under harsh low-temperature testing at -20°C, it endures more than 60,000 bends without failure—far exceeding standard industry requirements. With a tensile strength of over 3.5 kg, the printed lines can withstand frequent bending and stretching during walking, running, and other activities, without peeling or cracking. It provides long-term structural integrity while conforming naturally to the inherent flexibility of the upper material. Wearers experience no stiffness or restriction—just like a soft version of 3D thick paste—achieving the ideal balance of support and comfort.
Beyond its core soft-support performance, the HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish also excels in weather resistance and process compatibility, comprehensively ensuring the durability and aesthetics of upper printing. The pH is maintained in a mild range of 7.5–8.5, ensuring excellent compatibility with various upper substrates such as leather, mesh fabric, nylon, and microfiber. It offers strong adhesion, resisting delamination and powdering even after prolonged use. The product also features outstanding hydrolysis resistance, protecting against degradation from sweat, rain, and humid environments—significantly extending the service life of the upper.
In terms of appearance and process adaptability, the HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish performs exceptionally well. After drying, it forms a highly transparent film that does not obscure colors or yellow over time. It can be directly used with various water-based inks, perfectly preserving the original ink color—making upper lines more vivid and translucent. It achieves a yellowing resistance rating of Level 4 or higher, effectively resisting discoloration from sunlight and UV exposure, ensuring the upper maintains a fresh, new appearance over time. The product can withstand hot-press temperatures up to 150°C, making it fully compatible with post-processing steps in upper manufacturing such as foil stamping, lamination, and heat setting. It does not foam, deform, or delaminate under high heat, offering excellent process compatibility and significantly reducing production defect rates—supporting large-scale, stable manufacturing.
As an environmentally friendly, water-based formulation, the Sanqi International HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish releases no harmful solvents throughout its lifecycle, aligning with current green manufacturing trends. It meets environmental production standards while helping footwear enterprises build differentiated product advantages. Whether for functional line printing on athletic shoes, decorative 3D line design on casual shoes, or soft-support line creation on various footwear materials, this top varnish delivers precise adaptability. With 3D thick paste-like support, exceptional soft elasticity, and comprehensive weather and process resistance, it offers a one-stop solution for upper printing.
Sanqi International remains committed to empowering the footwear chemical industry through technological innovation. The launch of the HR Water-based Soft 3D Top Varnish is a precise response to the growing demand for soft, functional printing on shoe uppers. With its balanced flexibility and support, robust performance, and wide adaptability, this water-based top varnish—specifically engineered for upper line printing—will become a powerful tool for footwear manufacturers to enhance product quality and create differentiated designs. It will drive continuous breakthroughs in the integration of aesthetics and functionality in footwear, unlocking new creative possibilities in upper design.
Sanqi International | Dedicated to Water-based Chemical R&D, Delivering High-Quality Solutions for Footwear and Printing Industries
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