Flock Printing vs. Sublimation: What Teams in North America Need to Know

If you’ve ever ordered names and numbers on a jersey at your local sports shop, you’ve likely encountered flock printing—the plush, velvety letters that feel like micro-suede. It’s been around forever because it’s simple, widely available, and looks great for basic text. But for modern team kits in Canada and the U.S., is flock still the right call—or is sublimation printing the smarter choice?

What is flock printing?

Flock printing is a variant of screen/transfer printing. Instead of laying down liquid ink, a dispersion adhesive is applied, then tiny viscose fibers (“flock”) are electrostatically charged and driven upright into the adhesive. In today’s shops, the common route is cutting a colored flock film (from a vector file), weeding the excess, and heat-pressing it to the jersey. The result: a thick, soft surface that pops on simple shapes, numbers, and block letters.

Where flock shines

• Crisp text & numbers: High contrast, clean edges on player names, bib numbers, and basic logos.

• Tactile feel: That plush, raised texture can look premium on cotton hoodies, fan tees, and lifestyle apparel.

• Small runs: Local print shops across North America can do a handful of pieces without big setup costs.
  

Where flock falls short

• Limited color depth: Generally best under ~3 colors; gradients and photos are out.

• Bulk & breathability: Flock sits ~0.5 mm thick and doesn’t stretch much—fine on heavy sweats, less ideal on lightweight performance jerseys.

• Durability over time: Repeated washing, UV, and abrasion can make edges fatigue and peel.

• Workflow friction: Every component (name, number, sponsor) is a separate cut/press step—time adds cost.
  

The modern alternative: sublimation printing

For performance teamwear, sublimation has become the gold standard. Instead of adding a layer on top, sublimation uses heat and pressure to vaporize dye into the fibers (ideal with technical poly fabrics). No extra weight, no cracking, and full-color freedom—think gradients, fades, tonal patterns, and photo-quality graphics.

Why sublimation is a game-changer for teams

• Design freedom: Unlimited colors, intricate crests, sponsor marks, camo fades, photographs—no problem.

• Lightweight performance: No added film means full breathability and stretch—the fabric keeps its original hand.

• Long-lasting color: Dyes are inside the yarns, so graphics resist cracking and stay vibrant wash after wash.

• Consistent costs: Digital workflow means you’re not paying per name/number/sponsor the same way you do with flocked heat transfers.
  

What about real North American use cases?

• Hot races & humid summers: From Texas heat to Ontario July tournaments, sublimated kits dry faster and breathe better.

• Cycling & tri: For events like Gran Fondo Whistler or training blocks in SoCal, aero and moisture management matter—extra film layers don’t help.

• Youth clubs with sponsors: Multiple marks, color variations, and last-minute changes are routine—sublimation keeps timelines tight and costs predictable on team orders.
  

Heini Sports North America: Italian R&D, Italian fabrics, Italy/India manufacturing

At Heini, we bring Italian-milled performance fabrics and Italian R&D to North American clubs, schools, and events. Your kits are built through our Italy/India manufacturing network for precision fit, premium handfeel, and reliable lead times. Yes, we can add heat-applied elements when needed (captain’s bands, emergency roster updates), but our core teamwear is fully sublimated for performance, durability, and design freedom.

When should you still consider flock?

• Fanwear & spirit wear on cotton (hoodies, fleece joggers, campus crews) where that suede-like texture looks great.

• One-off personalization at a mall kiosk or pro shop—quick, simple, done on the spot.

For on-field performance jerseys, especially with multiple sponsors or complex art, sublimation wins on comfort, longevity, and total cost of ownership.

Ready to modernize your kit?Send us your crest and sponsor art, and our design team will build a sublimated concept around Italian performance fabrics tailored for your sport and climate.