Why 90s Black Metal Bands Used Plastisol Ink for That “Trve Kvlt” Look
In the grim, frostbitten world of 1990s black metal, aesthetics mattered almost as much as the music itself. The sound was raw, the imagery was bleak, and the merch—especially the t-shirts—was iconic. One key detail in capturing that cold, underground look? Plastisol ink.
Plastisol ink, a thick, plastic-based ink commonly used in screen printing, became the go-to choice for black metal band shirts during the early '90s. Why? First, it was durable—perfect for small-batch presses in someone’s basement or a DIY print shop. But more importantly, plastisol gave shirts that distinct, slightly shiny and cracked with time effect. Logos from bands like Mayhem and Darkthrone would sit on the fabric like raised relics of chaos, often stark white on a faded black canvas.
This aged even better. As fans wore their shirts to gigs, through smoke and snow, the plastisol began to crack and fade, creating a worn, war-torn look. This decay wasn’t a flaw—it was kvlt. It symbolized dedication, authenticity, and rebellion against anything polished or mainstream. In contrast to the slick, mass-produced merch of other genres, black metal shirts looked like relics from a forgotten crypt.
In the end, plastisol ink wasn’t just a printing choice—it became part of the visual language of black metal. Its imperfections echoed the lo-fi recordings, corpse paint, and anti-commercial ethos that defined the scene.
Because in black metal, even your shirt has to suffer.
Here at the caves of worship we in house hand screen print all our own garments using the same methods on the same machinery from the 90s and even from Scandinvia Gothenburg Sweden.
Check out a printed merch range in our catalouge!
Stay Rad Stay Hyrdrated kreep it kvlt!