PRODUCT
PU vs. TPU vs. Flock HTV: Choosing Films for Sportswear Names and Numbers
Thickness, stretch, wash rating and hand feel compared, with press settings for each film.
PU HTV: the everyday film
At 80 µm, polyurethane film is thin, soft and highly stretchable, which makes it the default for names, numbers and logos on cotton, polyester and blends. Press at 150 °C for 10 seconds with medium pressure and a cold peel. Rated 80+ washes at 60 °C.
TPU HTV: for high-wash programs
Thermoplastic polyurethane film at 300 µm gives a smooth, dense surface with low stretch and the highest durability in the range—100+ washes at 60 °C. Use it for sportswear numbers, workwear and uniforms that are laundered industrially. Press at 160 °C for 15 seconds, cold peel.
Flock HTV: the premium hand feel
Flock is a 450 µm film with a velvet-like fibre surface. It suits fashion teamwear, school wear and retro sports graphics. Press at 150 °C for 15 seconds, cold peel; rated 80+ washes at 60 °C. Low stretch, so avoid very elastic fabrics.
Quick comparison
Thinnest and most stretchable: PU (80 µm, high stretch)
Most durable: TPU (300 µm, 100+ washes)
Best hand feel: Flock (450 µm, velvet surface)
All three: cold peel, cut on standard plotters
Layering
PU layers well over PU for two-colour numbers. Keep flock and TPU as the top layer only, and never layer glitter under another film. Test every combination on the production fabric before committing to a program.
