Ben Karl (asker) Mar 11, 2014:

No client image @Phil, the client did not provide an image of the garment, just the descriptions. This term is used in segments were heat transfer, pigment print, offset print, etc. are used. However, I think Sharon may have found a good term. I am quite sure it's not "bubble-printing" as previously suggested.

MY Lim Mar 11, 2014:

Image of the garment I think this is the image of the garment:
http://www.zhigouwang.com/bijia/q44670753.html : 生活系列 女式 短袖T恤 56622802 白色 L报价 --- 民族风格图案运用到LOGO中，并结合(((撞色气泡与软涂料印)))

The link below (same brand) uses the same terminology as well:
http://amzn.to/1kIJnoD : 肩处3D(((气泡)))和(((软涂料印)))组成的几何图案，袋鼠口袋，兜帽印花内里，抽绳细节

Using the zoom in function, it appears that the coloured motifs are raised. I think the term 气泡印 somewhat correlates to the English term "puff printing". Here are some links/images on puff printing:

http://www.t-shirtforums.com/screen-printing/t138808.html
http://bit.ly/1kIJC30

The terms "puff print" and "发泡印花" also appear together on a google search result.

Phil Hand Mar 11, 2014:

Are you sure it's a technique? If you have a picture of the garment, can you see bubbles in the design? It's just possible that the author is using some foxy grammar, with the same structure referring to both the image and the 工艺 used to produce it.