Heat transfer vs high frequency: choosing for stretch fabrics

High frequency: printed film pressed into relief

High frequency welding presses a printed film against an engraved mould: the artwork rises into 3D relief while the background keeps its finish — including metallic and iridescent effects. The film base is light and flexible, so the label adds dimension without the weight of a moulded PVC patch.

• Made on PU / TPU / PVC film
• Relief depth, print layers and backing made to order
• Supplied for heat transfer or sewing

Silicone heat transfer: built up on a carrier film

This is a transfer, not a printed sticker: the logo is built up in silicone on a carrier film and then pressed onto the garment. The fine “toothbrush” (microtooth) surface gives a soft, matte, grip-like feel, and the 1 mm relief stays elastic — so it moves with stretch fabrics instead of cracking.

• Recommended for performance wear, leggings and knitwear
• Soft, matte, slightly grippy surface
• Pressing time, temperature and pressure confirmed per fabric

How to choose

Ask two questions:

• Does the fabric stretch? If yes, silicone transfer is usually the safer starting point
• Do you need metallic, iridescent or deep relief effects? That points to high frequency
• Both are applied by heat press — we confirm the pressing conditions for your specific fabric before bulk

Before you commit

Send the fabric composition and a description of how the garment is used (washed how often, worn against skin, stretched during wear). We will confirm the specification and pressing conditions, then produce a sample for approval.

What your heat press needs to know

Application is where most transfer problems start, so it pays to write these five things down before production:

• Fabric composition, including any coating or membrane
• The maximum temperature the fabric tolerates
• Whether the surface is smooth, brushed or textured
• Where the trim sits — near a seam, zip or pocket edge changes the support
• How the garment will be washed, so the sample can be tested the same way

Relief, finish and hand-feel

The two techniques differ most in how they feel and how they sit on the garment:

• High frequency: deeper relief, with metallic, iridescent and glossy effects available
• Silicone transfer: softer, matte, slightly grippy, and elastic enough to move with knitwear
• High frequency adds dimension without the weight of a moulded patch
• Silicone transfer keeps the garment’s stretch, which matters on leggings and performance wear