Plotter foil
There are different types of plotter foils. In our VBS online shop you will find a selection of iron-on films with glitter effect, flex films, vinyl films as well as transfer film for vinyl films. Most plotter films are made of PVC and are very flexible. How flexible or hard the film may be depends on the intended use. The thickness and adhesive strength also vary for most plotter films. There are also adhesive and non-adhesive plotter films. Self-adhesive plotter films are multi-layered.
Flex film
Flex films are thin, mostly single-colour plotter films with hot-melt adhesive on the underside. This means that there is a plastic backing underneath the adhesive. Flex films are used for finishing and labelling textiles. As flex films are particularly thin, they remain flexible even after being applied to textiles. Flex films adhere particularly well to materials such as cotton, polyester, mixed fabrics of polyester & cotton and mixed fabrics of polyester & polyacrylic.
How is flex film applied to a fabric?
First plot your desired motif. Make sure that you plot it mirror-inverted on the flex film, as the film will be turned around later when ironed on. Detach the motif from the backing film. Position your motif in the desired place. Press the motif onto the fabric at approx. 160°C for approx. 15 seconds. Remove the backing material of the flex foil while it is still warm. Finally, cover the motif with Teflon foil or baking paper and press it on again for approx. 3 seconds. The fabric is now washable at 40°C if the flex foil was applied with an iron. If a transfer press was used for the pressing process, the fabric can be washed at up to 80°C.
Transfer film
The self-adhesive transfer film serves as an aid for the optimal positioning and application of individual motif parts punched and cut from vinyl film. You can easily create your own wall tattoos and door or window decorations with foil or decorate glass bottles, book spines or storage boxes. Lettering or individual motifs created with the hobby plotter are simply covered with the self-adhesive side of the transfer foil. When doing this, make sure that you press the film on, especially at the interfaces, and if necessary, use a scraper to tighten the film in order to avoid air bubbles. Now the transfer foil can be removed and the lettering or plotted motif is on the foil. You can then easily position the lettering or motif where you want it and apply it using the scraper.