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Flex foil
Flex foil is a printing technique that has been around for some time, where you cut out textile foil and remove the excess material from the carrier. You then press the foil onto textile with a transfer press, where an even pressure distribution is essential for a durable result.
Flex foil, also known as Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), is a thin, flexible foil that is specially designed to apply designs to textiles. It consists of a carrier, an adhesive layer and a colored top layer.
Flex foil is designed to last. The prints are wash-resistant, colorfast and resistant to wear, making them perfect for clothing that is worn frequently. Flex foil is stretchable and follows the movements of the textile, so the print always looks tight. Whether it’s T-shirts, sportswear, bags or accessories, with flex foil you can personalize almost any textile item. Flex foil gives your designs a high-quality and professional look.
We discuss the following topics
Who is flex foil suitable for?
Flex foil is a versatile material that is suitable for a wide audience. Whether you are a hobbyist who likes to print your own clothing, a small entrepreneur who wants to make unique products or a large organization looking for a professional printing method, flex foil offers countless possibilities.
Flex foil is suitable for:
- Hobbyists: Do you want to personalize T-shirts, bags or other textile items yourself? With flex foil you can let your creativity run free and create unique pieces.
- Small entrepreneurs: Do you have your own webshop or do you sell products at markets? Flex foil is ideal for printing clothing, bags and accessories with your own logo or design.
- Sports clubs and teams: Flex foil is often used for printing sportswear, such as shirts, trousers and tracksuits.
- Companies: Flex foil is suitable for printing company clothing, promotional material and business gifts.
- Schools and clubs: For making unique clothing for events, projects or as a souvenir.
What do you need to work with flex foil?
To get started with flex foil yourself, you need a number of supplies.
Below you will find an overview:
- Cutting plotter: This is the most important tool. A cutting plotter cuts your design out of the flex foil, so that you can then apply it to your textile. Popular brands are Silhouette Cameo and Cricut.
- Flex foil: This is available in different colors, types and finishes. Choose the foil that best suits your project.
- Transfer press: With a transfer press, you apply the flex foil to the textile under high temperature and pressure. There are different types of transfer presses available, from small presses for home use to professional presses for large print runs.
- Textiles: Choose a type of fabric that is suitable for pressing. Cotton and polyester are commonly used fabrics.
- Cutting mat: This protects the cutting plotter and provides a good grip while cutting.
- Peel hook: With a peel hook you remove the excess foil from your design.
Optional supplies:
Design software: To create your own designs.
Baking paper: This prevents the carrier from sticking to the heated press plate.
What should I pay attention to with flex foil?
When working with flex foil, there are a few important points you should pay attention to in order to achieve an optimal result:
Choosing the right flex foil
- Type of fabric: Choose the flex foil that is suitable for the type of fabric you want to print on. There are different types of flex foil for cotton, polyester and blends.
- Washability: Determine how often the printed item will be washed and choose a foil with a corresponding washability.
- Colour and finish: Flex foil is available in numerous colours and with different finishes (matte, glossy, glitter, etc.). Choose the option that best suits your design.
Preparing the fabric
- Washing instructions: Always pre-wash the fabric to remove any chemicals that may affect the adhesion of the foil.
- Ironing: Smooth the fabric to remove wrinkles.
- Cutting settings: Make sure the cutting settings on your cutting plotter are set correctly for the thickness of the flex foil.
- Weeding: Carefully remove any excess foil. Incorrect weeding can cause parts of the print to come loose.
Pressing
- Temperature, time and pressure: Follow the instructions for the flex foil and the transfer press carefully. Incorrect temperature, time or pressure can cause the foil to not adhere properly or damage the fabric.
- Placement: Make sure the design is straight and in the right place on the fabric before pressing.
- Cooling time: Allow the print to cool sufficiently after pressing before touching the fabric again.
Maintaining the print
- Washing instructions: Follow the washing instructions of the flex foil to extend the life of the print.
- Wash inside out: Preferably wash the printed item inside out and use a mild detergent.
- Do not tumble dry: Air dry the item.
Here are some additional tips
- Practice on scraps of fabric: Before starting a final project, it is wise to practice on a scrap piece of fabric first.
- Use heat-resistant tape: Transfer tape can be useful for holding small parts of your design in place while pressing.
- Work in a well-ventilated area: Some films can emit a slight odor while pressing. By following these tips, you can achieve beautiful and durable results with flex foil.
What printable flex foils are there?
Pros and Cons of Flex Film
Flex film is a popular choice for textile printing, but like any other method, it has its own pros and cons.
Let’s take a closer look:
Pros of Flex Film
- Durability: Flex film is designed to last. The prints are washable, colourfast and resistant to wear, making them perfect for clothing that is worn frequently.
- High flexibility: Flex foil is stretchable and follows the movements of the textile, so that the print always looks tight.
- Wide range of applications: Whether it’s T-shirts, sportswear, bags or accessories, with flex foil you can personalize almost any textile item.
- Professional appearance: Flex foil gives your designs a high-quality and professional appearance.
- Versatility: Flex foil is available in countless colours, types and finishes, giving you many options.
Disadvantages of flex foil
- Investment: To work with flex foil, you need a cutting plotter and a transfer press. This can be quite an investment, especially for private use.
- Learning curve: Working with flex foil requires some practice to find the right settings and achieve a perfect result.
- Energy consumption: Pressing flex foil requires energy, which can contribute to the costs.
What do the different flex foils cost?
| Heat Transfer Vinyl | Price per meter* (purchase of 1 meter) | Costs A4 logo* (including cutting/peeling loss) |
|---|---|---|
| MagiCut 123Flex | €5.99 | €0.83 |
| MagiCut 123Premium | €6.29 | €0.87 |
| MagiCut 123Premium Ultra | €6.29 | €0.87 |
| MagiCut 123Flex SubliBloc White | €7.69 | €1.07 |
| MagiCut 123Premium SubliBloc White | €7.99 | €1.11 |
| MagiCut Dimension | €11.90 | €1.65 |
| MagiCut Stretch | €4.99 | €0.69 |
| MagiCut Reflex | €9.99 | €1.38 |
| MagiCut Flock | €8.99 | €1.25 |
| MagiCut Metallic | €5.99 | €0.83 |
| MagiCut Soft Metallic | €6.99 | €0.97 |
| MagiCut Holographic | €6.99 | €0.97 |
| MagiCut Holographic | €6.99 | €0.97 |
| MagiCut Rainbow Spectrum | €6.99 | €0.97 |
| MagiCut Glitter | €10.49 | €1.45 |
| MagiCut Twinkle | €9.29 | €1.29 |
| MagiCut Glow | €13.49 | €1.87 |
| MagiCut Puff | €8.59 | €1.19 |
| MagiCut Photochromic | €9.99 | €1.38 |
The prices mentioned are estimates and may vary per project. When calculating the costs for an A4 logo, a margin has been maintained to take into account cutting loss and any additional material use. The meter price for flex foil is based on a purchase of one full meter.
HTV FAQ
How do you use flex foil?
Flex foil is a versatile material that you can use to print clothing and other textile products yourself. Below you will find a step-by-step plan to help you get started:
Requirements:
- Cutting plotter: To cut your design from the flex foil.
- Flex foil: Available in different colours and types.
- Transfer press: To press the foil onto the textile.
- Textile: Choose a type of fabric that is suitable for pressing (cotton, polyester, etc.).
- Cutting mat: Protects the cutting plotter and ensures a good grip.
- Peel hook: To remove excess foil.
- Transfer tape: Optional, for securing small parts.
Design software: To create your design.
Flex Film vs. Flock Film: What’s the Difference?
Flex foil vs. Flock foil: What is the difference?
Flex foil and flock foil are both widely used for printing textiles, but they have different properties and give a different look to your design.
Flex foil
Appearance: Smooth surface, often with a slight sheen.
Structure: Thin and flexible.
Touch: Feels soft and supple.
Application: Suitable for both light and dark fabrics. Gives a modern and sleek look.
Flock foil
Appearance: Rough, velvety surface.
Structure: Thicker than flex foil, with a raised fiber structure.
Touch: Feels soft and luxurious, comparable to velvet.
Application: Suitable for both light and dark fabrics. Gives a classic and elegant look.
| Feature | Flex | Flock |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Smooth | Rough, velvety |
| Touch | Soft and supple | Soft and luxurious |
| Application | Widely applicable | Suitable for a classic look |
Flex foil: If you want a modern and sleek look, flex foil is a good choice. It is also ideal for sportswear and other items that are subject to a lot of movement.
Flock foil: For a classic and elegant look, flock foil is perfect. It is also suitable for logos and texts that you want to emphasize.
In short:
Flex foil: Smooth, modern, versatile.
Flock foil: Rough, luxurious, classic.
Which side flexes up?
When cutting flex foil, place the matte side up.
This is important because the cutting plotter cannot cut the glossy, carrier foil. By placing the matte side up, you ensure that the design is only cut into the flex foil.
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