Creative technologies

Impossible lettering using self-adhesive flock film

YOW! Shop

18 January 2010

1 min read

With self-adhesive flock film, it is possible to label even the most unlikely and unusual objects quickly, easily and inexpensively. No heat press or complicated procedures required.

What exactly can you use self-adhesive flock film to label?

White shoes with black detailing, featuring red ‘Berlin Kickers’ lettering on the toes made from self-adhesive flock foil

Red spiral-bound notebook, with lettering in white flock foil: the words ‘Italy 2004’ above a silhouette of the map of Italy

Red gift ribbon on a silver tin, with the words ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Corinna’ printed in white flock foil, decorated with vine motifs

Close-up of white cursive lettering made from self-adhesive flock foil on black, coarsely woven bag fabric with a velvety surface

Temperature-sensitive textiles and items such as rain jackets, bags, curtains or even silk fabrics.
Items which, due to their shape, cannot be finished using a heat transfer press, such as shoes, rucksacks, luggage, pushchairs, umbrellas or even balls.
Jewellery boxes, car trays, lampshades, porcelain, glass, paper, photo albums or ring binders.
Temporary and short-term lettering, such as gift and mourning ribbons, or promotional clothing.

How is self-adhesive flock film applied?

Create the desired text or any vector graphic in a graphics application on a PC or Mac.
Plot the graphic onto self-adhesive flock film from above using a cutting plotter, weed it and cover it with a transfer film suitable for self-adhesive flock film.
Transfer the sticker onto any object, position it, smooth it out to remove any air bubbles and peel off the transfer film. Done.

Plotter software on screen: a preview of a red star as a cutting design for flock foil, with the ‘Send’ and ‘Finish’ buttons below

Hands are weeding out red cursive lettering made from flock foil on a yellow backing; the excess foil is being peeled off; a weeding hook is held in the hand

Use your hands to peel the transfer film – featuring red flock-printed lettering reading ‘Kirschwasser’ – off the backing paper in order to transfer it onto an object

Hand applies the red flock-foil lettering ‘Kirschwasser’ to a horizontal glass bottle with a red screw cap using a squeegee, ensuring there are no bubbles.

The transfer film is peeled off a glass bottle; the red flock-film lettering ‘Kirschwasser’ remains stuck to the glass

What do you need to bear in mind when working with it?

Any item labelled with self-adhesive flock foil should be left to set for 24 hours before being subjected to mechanical stress, and for around 4 days before washing.

Self-adhesive flock film – the facts

Self-adhesive backing film with 0.5 mm long viscose fibres on silicone paper.
Available in 16 colours.
The transfer is carried out using a special transfer film – available from YOW!
Once fully cured (3–5 days) on textiles, it is conditionally washable at 30°C, depending on the item.
Intense mechanical stress should be avoided.
Preliminary tests are recommended in all cases; the data provided here are for guidance only and may vary depending on the item being applied to.