A polychromatic effects heat transfer label includes a carrier and a polychromatic effects design layer on the carrier. The polychromatic effects design layer is formulated from an ink having a polychromatic effects pigment present in a concentration of about 1 percent to about 25 percent by weight of the ink. The polychromatic effects heat transfer label is transferred from the carrier to an apparel item as a polychromatic effects feature and the polychromatic effects feature exhibits robust polychromatic effects on the item. The polychromatic effects feature exhibits no adhesion failure, no color change, no stain, and no visual change after being subjected to a Nike standard embellishment durability wash tests of an accelerated wash, 5 times at a temperature of 60 C. and an innovation standard wash, 15 times at a temperature of 60 C., and being tumbled dry after each wash and exhibits no color transfer, no abrasion and no visual change after being subjected to an AATCC standard crock test, 10 crocks with an SDLATLAS CM-5 AATCC crockmeter and an TIC crockmeter using 22 squares. Polychromatic effects heat transfer labels for transfer to plastic, carbon fiber and metal are disclosed.