Many in our industry use
the all-encompassing term “heat transfer vinyl” to refer to any heat transfer
flex film. The fact of the matter is that many of the heat transfer films
on the market today are not vinyl at all. Much of what is sold today is polyurethane
or a polyurethane blend.
The reason that I make
this distinction is that there is a big difference between polyurethane and
vinyl films. What’s more, a 100% polyurethane film is also quite
different than a polyurethane-based blended film. Let me explain the
differences.
Polyurethane films are
very soft and stretchable. There’s a reason for this. Polyurethane is comprised
of very long molecular chains, which provide it with elasticity. By
comparison, vinyl is composed of molecules which are very rigid.
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To make vinyl films more
elastic, plasticizers are added to the formulation. Plasticizers are oils which
can leach out of the film, every time the garment is washed. As the
plasticizing oils leach out of the vinyl they can cause allergic reactions. Plasticizers
have also been linked to other medical issues, which is why some plasticizers
have been banned under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for
use in the manufacture of children’s garments.
As plasticizers leach
out of a vinyl, the film increasingly becomes more rigid and brittle.
Eventually, appliques manufactured from vinyl heat transfer films will crack.
Polyurethane films do
not need plasticizers to make them stretchable. These films are naturally
elastic. That’s why appliques made from polyurethane heat transfer films retain
their flexibility and provide long-term service life. In fact, if garments are
washed and dried properly, polyurethane appliques should last as long as the
garment itself.
Compared to vinyl heat
transfer films, polyurethane films provide other desirable performance
properties. Polyurethane is also more abrasion resistant than vinyl, which
makes it ideal for punishing athletic applications. Used to decorate
performance fabrics, polyurethane films provide the elongation and memory,
allowing the appliques to stretch as the fabric stretches.
Caveat emptor
Be aware that not all
formulations of polyurethane films are the same. While all of the SEF
heat transfer films are 100% polyurethane, many other competitive products are
classified as “polyurethane based”. These polyurethane based films are
blends of polyurethane and vinyl. Because these blends contain PVC, they may
not be CPSIA or OekoTex Standard 100 compliant.
With the addition of
vinyl to their formulations, polyurethane-based films are also typically
stiffer, less elastic and not so durable as 100% polyurethane.
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT: SEF Americas provides a toll-free technical support service at 844-720-9601. NOTE: If your call is not answered by a tech support person during normal business hours, 8am to 5pm EST (Eastern Standard Time), please leave a message and we will do our best to return your call within an hour. Should you need to contact us after business hours, an alternate tech support number is 480-987-8028. You can also get answers to your technical questions by emailing: techsupport@SEFamericas.com.
Click Here to Access Printer Profiles
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT: SEF Americas provides a toll-free technical support service at 844-720-9601. NOTE: If your call is not answered by a tech support person during normal business hours, 8am to 5pm EST (Eastern Standard Time), please leave a message and we will do our best to return your call within an hour. Should you need to contact us after business hours, an alternate tech support number is 480-987-8028. You can also get answers to your technical questions by emailing: techsupport@SEFamericas.com.
Click Here to Access Printer Profiles
ABOUT SEF: For more than 35 years, SEF has provided the screen printing and garment industries with high quality flex films and flock films. Manufacturing at SEF is totally integrated. The factory formulates, casts and adhesive coats its own polyurethane (PU) films. SEF even manufactures its own flock fibers. With a corporate commitment to a greener environment, all of its film and adhesive formulations are water based. This ensures that no solvents pollute the atmosphere. Its only emission is water vapor. Today, SEF is recognized as a leading producer of heat transfer films for use in the fabrication of heat press appliqués for textile decoration. Its ultra-thin polyurethane films and super soft flock films are easy to plotter cut and digitally print.
For More Information About SEF Americas:
14476-201 Duval Place West
Jacksonville, FL 32218
904-423-0211 - Phone
904-423-0899 - Fax
844-720-9600 - Toll Free
Ordering: sales@SEFamericas.com
Click Here: SEF Americas Shared Public Folder
Click Here: SEF Product Application Guide
Click Here: SEF FlexCut Product Color Guide
Click Here: SEF Print & Cut Product Guide
© 2015 Jim Hingst
nice blog ! author has differciated Polyurethane and Vinyl Films very nicely. thanks for sharing this type of blog related to heat transfer topics.
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