New CS2 PRINTSTREAM skins Hit the Community Workshop! [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

After nearly two months of silence, JTPNZ, the renowned creator of the Printstream collection, made a surprising return with a tease of his updated version for CS2. This reimagined collection features refined versions of the existing USP-S, Desert Eagle, and M4A1-S skins, along with new designs for the AK-47 and AWP. Although Valve has yet to update any skins for CS2 that were initially introduced during the Global Offensive era, JTPNZ remains hopeful. In an exclusive statement to BitSkins, he shared his belief that it’s only a matter of time before these updates are officially released.

“I couldn’t say for sure if Valve will finally replace the existing ones but I sure hope so. I think it’s possible just only a matter of time for them to experiment with a method to do so. And It won’t happen overnight since that’s just not how game development works. Game companies have their own pipeline and priorities, I’m sure they’re definitely working on something in secret.” – JTPNZ on Valve updating the already released skins. 

It's hard to believe that four years have passed since the introduction of the first Printstream skin. The journey began in August 2020 with the Desert Eagle, part of the Fracture Case, which quickly became a favorite among skin enthusiasts. Its clean, white design was praised for being the perfect canvas for sticker crafts, making it an instant classic in the CS community.

Months after the Fracture Case update, we received the Broken Fang Operation which had the second Printstream skin; the M4A1-S which has tripled in price since its release. The latest added Printstream skin was for the USP-S, two years later in the Recoil Case, which had other skins with the same pearlescent effect.

The Printstream collection became a fan-favorite immediately after the initial release due to the minimalistic design and white color which wasn’t frequent as the dominant color in CS:GO previously. Additionally, the pearlescent effect added quite the flair to it as it kept the skin from falling into the “boring” category.

However, despite the community's enthusiastic reception, JTPNZ remains modest about his creation. He reflects on his work with a critical eye, acknowledging that while the skin was well-received, it wasn't as exceptional as it could have been, given his inexperience as an artist at the time, while steering away from the original concept of incorporating everything he favored into the skin.

“I wouldn’t say it was an exceptional design because when I started designing skins, I was a self-taught artist. But now that I studied at an art school and got a fine arts degree, I felt like I can apply all the knowledge and skills that I learned into designing more skins for Counter-Strike. Printstream was redesigned with the idea of “less but more”. You can see it clearly in the AK-47 that I reduced a lot of details to focus more on using negative spaces and focal points in the graphics composition rather than just slapped everything onto the gun.” 

At first glance, the changes might not seem drastic. However, after carefully comparing the two versions, you can clearly see the growth of the creator as an artist with the embodiment of the “less but more” concept. Naturally, the new Printstreams were greeted with a warm welcome from the skin enthusiasts, especially with the new pearlescent effect that was gone with the wind in CS2. 

It’s no secret that Valve has downgraded the pearlescent effect which was the main gravitation point towards it. Since the official release of the last iteration of the franchise, many items including Knives and gloves have undergone significant changes affecting their overall look in-game. 

In fact, it is one aspect that worries JTPNZ with the release of the new Printstreams especially since the criticism did not only reach Valve but him personally as well. 

“Definitely. And I read all the comments online that seem to put hate and anger towards the devs. But I do take those personally too since I’m kind of responsible for designing the skin. I’m a self-critical person and I do care about the community. This project started kicking because I want people who enjoyed the pearlescent to be happy again. Although, some group of people still aren’t happy about what I did, and that’s kind of heartbreaking when I know wholeheartedly that I put my love and my passion into this very project. I guess I just can’t make everyone love me haha.” – JTPNZ on the possibility of Valve changing how skins look

The Printstream collection wasn't just celebrated in-game—it resonated in real life as well. At BitSkins, we value these digital masterpieces for the way they bring people together from all over the world. That’s why we wanted to share our love for the Printstream with our community at the most prestigious Counter-Strike event, highlighting one of the game’s most iconic skin collections and connecting with fans who share our passion.

BitSkins proudly partnered with Juthapat Limpattanakul to bring a Lamborghini Huracán EVO wrapped in the Printstream design at the first CS2 Major in Copenhagen. The supercar was stationed at the Copenhagen Airport next to other luxury brands as a welcome to the fans attending the Major event and a celebration of Counter-Strike skins. 

A few months later, a newer version of Lamborghini made appearance in the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for YaLLa Compass 2024, marking our partnership with the tournament organizer. We teamed up with YaLLa Esports to help build the most advanced esports circuit, enhancing the tournament experience with giveaways and community engagement initiatives.

If you proudly own a Printstream skin, then get excited as the future looks promising for the collection. But if you don’t, be sure to check out the BitSkins marketplace and cop a skin where everything is cheaper.