Flex foil is one of the most popular materials used for printing on fabrics. It is a thin and flexible foil that allows creating durable designs on various materials. It is made of polyurethane or PVC and coated with an adhesive layer that activates under high temperature. The foil is attached to the fabric using a heat press.
When and what is flex foil used for?
Flex foil works great for single-color and uncomplicated designs. This method allows for order personalization, e.g., adding names or numbers. Prints made with flex foil are thin and stretchable, making them perfect for marking sportswear, which is exposed to frequent washing. Once heat pressed, the print becomes durable and resistant to damage, which is why it is often used also on workwear. Flex foil also makes it possible to apply logos in hard-to-reach places, such as pockets, as well as marking backpacks and bags.
What distinguishes flex foil?
Flex foil is characterized by high flexibility and resistance to various external factors. Additionally, it offers intense colors and a wide selection of special effects, such as glitter, suede, metallic, or holographic effects.
What does the flex foil application process look like?
Project preparation – the graphic must be in vector format.
Cutting the design – a cutting plotter recreates the shape of the design on the foil.
Removing unnecessary foil elements – after cutting, unwanted fragments must be manually removed.
Transferring the design onto the material – using a heat press, the design is pressed into the fabric under high pressure and temperature.
Removing the protective layer – after cooling, the transfer foil is removed, revealing the finished print.
Advantages of flex foil
Versatility – flex foil can be used on almost every type of material.
Durability – ideal for marking workwear and sportswear.
Flexibility – prints are stretchable and fit well to the fabric.
Ease of application – allows quick print production starting from just one piece.
Wide range of special effects – including metallic, glitter, suede, holographic effects.
Disadvantages of flex foil
Limited number of colors – it is possible to make prints in a maximum of two colors.
Difficulty in reproducing complex designs – details are hard to achieve.
Time-consuming – cutting and removing unnecessary foil fragments requires time.
Higher cost for large runs – the price is influenced by the preparation and pressing time of the foil.
Tactile print layer – unlike screen printing, the foil leaves a noticeable layer; with large designs, it may cause a stiff feeling, so it works best for small applications.
Summary
Flex foil is an excellent solution for simple, personalized projects in small quantities. It enables applying designs in hard-to-reach places and provides very good coverage.
