PRODUCT

Flake-Free Glitter HTV: A New Standard for Sparkle Without the Mess

“SHINHAN Original Technology Product”

SHINHAN flake-free glitter heat transfer vinyl

Glitter has always been a powerful design element. It catches the light, draws the eye, and instantly makes graphics feel special.

But traditional glitter HTV comes with familiar complaints:

  • Glitter dust on hands and equipment

  • Flakes shedding in the wash

  • Rough, scratchy surfaces on garments

Shinhan set out to solve this with one clear goal: Keep the shimmer, Eliminate the flaking

That journey led to our Flake-Free Glitter HTV, built on a TPU encapsulation technology designed specifically for modern fashion, sportswear, and merchandising brands.


What Makes It “Flake-Free”?

Most glitter HTV is made with exposed glitter particles on the surface. They look bright at first, but over time friction and washing cause them to break off, leaving dust on skin, machines, and in the environment.

Shinhan’s Flake-Free Glitter HTV uses a TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) encapsulation structure:

  • Glitter is fully embedded inside a clear TPU layer

  • The surface is smooth and sealed, not rough or gritty

  • Sparkle is preserved, but loose glitter is dramatically reduced

In other words, the glitter is locked in, not sitting loosely on the outside.


Inside the Structure: Layer by Layer

Developed an innovative product that forms a special material layer on the upper surface to prevent metallic powder detachment.

Utilized TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), also a primary material of GORE-TEX, to achieve perfect transparency while ensuring the brilliance of metallic powder.

Tested for Real-World Use, Not Just the Lab

Flake-Free Glitter HTV was not created from a single idea—it’s the result of years of testing and iteration.

Shinhan’s R&D and production teams continuously adjust and validate:

  • TPU hardness and thickness combinations

  • Adhesive formulations for different fabrics (cotton, polyester, blends, etc.)

  • Heat press conditions (temperature, pressure, time)

  • Cutting and weeding performance for various plotters and cutters

Each trial is evaluated for:

  • Wash durability — does the surface stay smooth and bright after repeated washing?

  • Crack resistance — does the film flex without breaking or lifting at the edges?

  • Surface quality — is there any visible glitter shedding or dust after use?

Only the recipes that pass both our lab tests and pilot production runs make it into full-scale manufacturing.

Better for Production, Better for the Consumer

Flake-Free Glitter HTV is designed to work not only for end-users, but also for the people running the presses and plotters.

For production lines and converters:

  • Less loose glitter on cutting machines and work tables

  • Cleaner weeding and pressing environment

  • More consistent surface quality across different batches

For end customers:

  • A smoother, softer touch against the skin

  • Long-lasting shine without worrying about glitter rubbing off

  • Garments that look “new” for longer, even after many wash cycles


A Step Toward More Responsible Glitter

As regulations around microplastics and glitter tighten in many markets, brands are looking for ways to keep the visual impact of glitter while reducing unnecessary shedding and waste.

By encapsulating glitter particles inside a TPU layer, Flake-Free Glitter HTV:

  • Minimizes glitter loss during normal use and washing

  • Extends product lifetime, delaying replacement and waste

  • Provides a more controlled, contained glitter application compared to traditional, exposed-flake products

Shinhan is continuing to explore:

  • Lower-solvent or solvent-free coating systems

  • Alternative resins and pigments with a better environmental profile

  • Compatibility with evolving regulations in key markets

Flake-Free Glitter HTV is one of the first steps in that direction: a glitter solution designed for both performance and responsibility.

Continue Reading

Continue Reading

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Get Your Sample Kit Today

Tell us what you make and where you sell. We ship a sample kit within two business days and quote within a week.

Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea
blue and white bokeh lights
Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea
Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea

Get Your Sample Kit Today

Tell us what you make and where you sell. We ship a sample kit within two business days and quote within a week.

Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea
blue and white bokeh lights
Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea
Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea

Get Your Sample Kit Today

Tell us what you make and where you sell. We ship a sample kit within two business days and quote within a week.

Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea
blue and white bokeh lights
Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea
Heat transfer film production at SHINHAN, Yangju, Korea