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NEW Materials | UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film Clothing LOGO with 3D Vertical Label

UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film: The Next Evolution in Custom Apparel Printing

As the apparel decoration industry continues to seek breakthroughs in personalization, durability, and texture, a new material has emerged that redefines what’s possible: UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film.

Combining the precision of UV printing with the flexibility of silicone and the convenience of heat transfer technology, this innovative material is rapidly gaining attention across sportswear, team apparel, and fashion industries.

What is UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film?

UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film is a specially developed heat transfer substrate designed to work seamlessly with UV flatbed printers. The process involves:

  1. UV 3D Embossed Printing
    High-definition UV printing is used to create multi-layered, raised (3D) designs directly on the silicone film surface. This includes textures, gradients, and tactile effects not achievable with traditional vinyl or DTF films.

  2. Precision Cutting
    After printing, a contour cutting machine (like a vinyl cutter or flatbed cutter) cuts out the transfer pieces along the artwork path.

  3. Heat Press Transfer
    The final printed film is transferred to fabric using a heat press machine. With the right temperature, pressure, and time settings, the design is seamlessly bonded onto the garment.

✅ Key Advantages of UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film

Feature Benefits
3D Textured Effects Unlike traditional transfers, UV printing allows for embossed, multi-layer, and raised effects that create a premium tactile experience.
Durability & Flexibility The silicone base ensures stretchability, soft hand feel, and resistance to cracking, even after multiple washes.
High Resolution & Color Accuracy Using UV inkjet technology, it achieves sharp details and vibrant, full-color images, suitable for logos, gradients, and fine lines.
No Weeding Needed Designs can be printed and cut directly—no complex weeding process like with heat transfer vinyl.
Suitable for Complex Shapes Supports detailed cutouts and irregular shapes, thanks to the contour cutting process.
Low MOQ Production Perfect for custom, small-batch orders or personalized garments.

Ideal Applications

  • Team Uniforms & Sportswear
    Logos, numbers, and names with tactile 3D effects—ideal for football, basketball, and e-sports jerseys.

  • Fashion Streetwear
    Premium logos and text effects that create a luxury look and feel, especially on hoodies, jackets, and designer tees.

  • Corporate & Promotional Apparel
    High-end branding for giveaways, events, or staff uniforms that need to stand out.

  • Custom Clothing Businesses
    Enables small-format UV printer users to tap into garment decoration with high-margin products.

  • UV Silicone Film vs. Traditional Heat Transfer Technologies

    Aspect UV Silicone Film DTF / HTV
    Texture 3D embossed, matte/gloss options Flat or slightly raised
    Durability Excellent (stretch & wash resistance) Good but can crack over time
    Setup Time Fast (no weeding) Slower (especially for HTV)
    Design Complexity High (fine lines, textures, multiple layers) Moderate
    Equipment Needed UV printer + cutter + heat press DTF: printer + powder + oven + press
    HTV: cutter + press

    Recommended Equipment for UV Silicone Film Production

    To use this material effectively, you’ll need:

    • A3 or A2 UV Flatbed Printer (6090 or larger, with varnish/white ink support)

      E.g. 6090 UV Printer, Roland Versa UV Printer, Funsun A3 UV Flatbed Printer

    • UV Inkjet System with varnish for 3D layering

      LED UV Printing, UV Inkjet, Hybrid UV Printer

    • Contour Cutter or Flatbed Cutter

      For precise shape cutting (can be paired with Flatbed Printer and Cutter combo)

    • Heat Press Machine

      For final transfer to garment (recommended temp: 150–160°C for 8–15 seconds)

  • Why This Matters for Print Shops & Clothing Brands

    UV Silicone Heat Transfer Film opens up a new revenue stream for:

    • UV printer owners looking to expand into garment printing

    • Custom sportswear brands needing flexible yet durable solutions

    • Print-on-demand businesses seeking standout effects with minimal setup

    Unlike sublimation or DTF, this approach offers true 3D embossing, rich color depth, and ultra-fine customization with no minimum order quantity.