| Abstract: | In today's globally competitive market, product distinction is a key to success. Therefore, the ability to produce unique and appealing special effects becomes a powerful marketing tool for savvy manufacturers of plastic and other parts. High shelf-appeal not only positions a product to attract the eye of the consumer, but also supports the impression that a product is of higher quality, a more playful or elegant design, or represents the latest that technology has to offer. When it comes to special effects, the buying public is insatiable and market demand is hindered only by the imagination of manufacturers and consumers. The ability of current color technology to support this demand requires that additive suppliers, color formulators, and plastics processors work in close partnership. This paper surveys the development of traditional and newer special effects technologies and describes some of the challenges encountered in developing them. |
