A surface, not a sticker
Displacement maps push your print into the real bump of cotton, the curve of a ceramic rim, the crease of a seam. It is the difference between a mockup that sells and a mockup that gets refunded.
Three maps, one believable surface
A convincing preview needs more than a warp. Customei composites the artwork through a displacement map (where the surface pushes the print around), a shading map (where light and shadow fall) and an optional gloss map (where a glazed or laminated surface reflects). The blank's own photograph provides all three, so the result matches the product you actually ship.
- Displacement
- Per-pixel offset from the blank's texture: weave, knit, ribbing, wood grain.
- Shading
- Multiply pass that keeps folds and shadows on top of the artwork.
- Gloss
- Screen pass for ceramics, enamel, acrylic and laminated stickers.
Where it changes the sale
Dark garments are the obvious case: a flat overlay makes white ink look like a sticker, and customers who expect a sticker complain when they receive DTG. Displacement previews set the right expectation up front, which is the cheapest returns-reduction tool you have.
Preview and print stay honest
Displacement is a preview-layer effect and never touches the print file. The export stays clean flat artwork at full resolution. The point is not to fake the print; it is to show the customer how that clean artwork will read on the material.
Specifications
The numbers, so you can check them against what your production partner actually needs.
- Displacement
- 8-bit greyscale, matched to the mockup photo
- Shading
- Multiply layer, adjustable strength
- Gloss / specular
- Screen layer, adjustable strength
- Print file
- Unaffected. Flat artwork, original colour space
Blank preparation guidance and example maps are documented at https://docs.customei.com/print-files.
Keep reading
Next step
Try it on your
own product.
Install Customei, attach an option set, and see this working on a real listing. Every plan ships with a 14-day trial. No card.