Flex and flock printing
Clear. High-contrast. Expressive.
Flex and flock printing are foil printing processes in which designs are cut from a special foil and then heat-pressed onto the textile . Both methods are particularly suitable for lettering, logos, and clear designs with a strong impact.
What is flex printing?
In flex printing , a smooth, thin film is cut by machine and applied to the textile using a heat press.
Properties of flex printing:
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Smooth, slightly glossy surface
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Very sharp edges
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High color coverage
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Robust & dimensionally stable
Flex printing is ideal for clean designs , numbers, lettering and logos.
What is flock printing?
Flock printing works similarly, but uses a velvety film with erected fibers.
Properties of flock printing:
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Soft, velvety surface
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Noticeable structure
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Luxurious, textile-like feel
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Strong contrast to the fabric
Flock printing is frequently used for retro-inspired designs and striking statements.
This is how flex and flock printing works
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The design is created digitally.
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The film is cut to size.
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Excess foil is removed.
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The design is pressed onto the textile using heat and pressure.
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The backing film is removed – print is finished.
Advantages of flex and flock printing
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Very precise contours
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Ideal for single-color designs
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Long lifespan with proper care
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Good adhesion to many materials
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High-contrast optics
What are flex and flock printing particularly suitable for?
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Lettering & Logos
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Numbers & Symbols
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T-shirts & Hoodies
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Work and merchandise textiles
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Statements with a clear form
Care & Durability
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Wash inside out
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Low washing temperature
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No dryer
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Do not iron directly over the print.
This ensures that flex and flock prints remain stable and retain their shape for a long time.
Flex/Flock vs. other printing methods
| Proceedings | Details | Haptics | durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flex printing | Low | Smooth | High |
| flock printing | Low | Velvety | High |
| Digital printing | Very high | Very soft | Medium |
| screen printing | Medium | Noticeably | Very high |