If colours had a mind of their own and decided to “go with the flow” then Hydro Dipping is probably what you would get. Bands of bright, funky colours go with the flow to create a twirly pattern that can be described as whimsical and abstract. Let us learn more about hydro dipping design and why it is such a simple, yet, wholesome graphic design style in Photoshop.
What is Hydro Dipping?
Hydro Dipping is also called immersion printing, hydrographic printing or water transfer printing. Motoyasu Nakanishi got a US patent for Hydro Dipping in 1982. This dip painting method is what you might just associate with disco, retro, or even psychedelic art. Perhaps this is why a hydro dip pattern shows up every now and then on a retro-style graphic design piece. These days, designers use Photoshop instead of a bucket and paint to get hydro-dipping patterns on a screen.
DIY hydro dipping at home
Hydro Dipping can make an object look like it has psychedelic paint patterns on it. Hydro dipping supplies and equipment include paint, a bucket or dish full of water that will fit the object you want to Hydro Dip. First, apply a base coat of paint on the whole area you want to cover in Hydro Dipping patterns. Then fill a bucket with water. Simply pour the paint in one colour at a time and let it swirl around naturally. For such water transfer graphics, you must make sure the paints are not water-soluble. Then dip the object in the water and move it around to catch the paint. In some instances, you can pour bottles of paint directly on the object to achieve the Hydro Dip pattern.
Hydro Dipping Trend in Graphic Design
Why just graphic design? If tie dye can be popular, then why not hydro dip in fashion design and sneaker art? Come to think of it, I may have seen a couple of cake-making videos with chocolate and glaze poured on it like a hydro dip. Hydro Dipping is a method of Industrial Design and yet graphic designers, fashion designers and illustrators have seamlessly adopted the motif.
In Graphic Design, Hydro Dipping works well in rectangular spaces. For instance, posters, feature advertisements, labels, web banners and so much more. Painting Hydro Dipping with the Avant Basic design style gives the design a contemporary aesthetic. The pattern can be converted into stickers, decals or printed with offset printers directly on surfaces. These days, you might find hydro dipping on shoes and sneakers, sports equipment, wood and metal surfaces, phone cases and laptop skins etc.
Learn Hydro Dipping in Photoshop
The best alternative to using a bucket and paints is Photoshop, Procreate or other design apps. To make patterns of Hydro Dipping Design in Photoshop you must first make a few thick and solid strokes of paint in different colours on a layer. After that, select Filter > Distort > Twirl. Twirl the paint strokes to different degrees and directions until you get what you like and Bob’s your uncle! This pattern design is quick and dependable for design projects with close deadlines. With the right canvas size, you can even make custom hydro dipping designs for almost any transferable surface.
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