The Basics

T-shirt decorators are quite often asked to supply shirts, jackets, caps and other items with just letters and/or numbers.

Using heat transfer paper to do this task is not a good method, especially for colored garments and any kind of athletic wear.

The solution is Flock letters and numbers (also referred to as Flock Transfers)

Flock Transfers

• Flock is a very soft, velour material that is very pleasing to the touch (it does not feel stiff at all) and presents a very high-quality look, when applied. When applied with a heat press, the finished product is very durable.

• While many colors are available, a single sheet of flock letters, numbers or designs only has one color.

• The same thing is true for font type (letter/number style) and the size of the font: there is only one font, size and color on each sheet.

Flock Application Facts

• To the uninitiated, a sheet of flock looks kind of “funny” (see the picture to the right). This is because what you are looking at is the adhesive on the back of the letters. When you pull the letter off the sheet, the other side is the same color as the rest of the main sheet.

• The adhesive is not sticky, at all, on the sheet. It only becomes sticky when heat is applied to it. When heated, the adhesive becomes soft and sticky and the pressure of the heat press causes a very tight bond between the flock and the fabric.

• Flock can be successfully applied with an iron, but a heat press gives the best results. Using a heat press, the benchmark time and temperature is 12-15 seconds, 325-350°, with firm pressure. You need to test with your press because readouts can vary.

Flock Facts & Figures (making money)

• All flock sheets are 12”x10”. For easier shipping, we cut them in half (each half sheet is 6x10). How many letters or numbers are on a full sheet depends upon the font style and size.

• The full sheet example to the right is 1” block letters, with 98 characters. Flock is sold in packs of 5 full sheets (cut in half for shipping), so each pack has 490 characters. That’s a lot of names and words.

• Standard colors (black, white, navy and red) are only $12.95 a pack. Premium colors, like royal blue, fuchsia (a pretty shade of pink, which most girls love), etc. are only $16.95 a pack. This makes even a 20 letter name or phrase less than a buck.

• A great number of entrepreneurs price their shirts with a set number of the same size and color characters included and then have a per letter up-charge for more.

• Prices range from a low of $7.95 to $11.95 or more and 10 to 50 cents for additional characters. Prices are higher for colored shirts and premium color flock. Black on white shirts and white on black shirts are the most popular combinations. Royal blue and red are the most popular colors and fuchsia for girls is often a steady seller.

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  Opportunities abound at special events, flea markets and point of purchase sales anywhere. There are also opportunities with companies and organizations. A great number of both have a need to be able to buy low quantities of custom lettered shirts.

Conclusion: Flock is usually not a core business for most entrepreneurs, but it can produce a nice, easy little revenue stream. If you are doing heat transfers with a heat press anyway, adding a few dollars of flock to your inventory can increase your profit opportunities.

Below are the letter types, sizes and colors that we currently offer. We intend to add more each week. If you have special needs, call us.

Athletic letters and numbers in 1.5"
(*packs contain 5 full sheets cut in half for shipping)

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack

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Athletic letters and numbers in .75"
(*packs contain 5 full sheets cut in half for shipping)

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack

Block letters and numbers - 1"
(*packs contain 5 full sheets cut in half for shipping)

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95

Block letters and numbers - 2"
(*packs contain 5 full sheets cut in half for shipping)

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack

1.5" Cooper letters and numbers

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack	Fusia $16.95 per pack

Black $12.95 per pack	White $12.95 per pack	Red $12.95 per pack	Blue $16.95 per pack

Study Guide

The Next page has very useful information about Plastisol Transfers. This is an inexpensive, quality method of putting numbers on T-shirts and athletic jerseys and uniforms. It's easy.

If you are not interested in learning about Plastisol Transfers, then click one of the below options, to continue your study tutorial-

• Heat Press Basics teaches you what you must know, to select the right heat press for what you want to do.

• If you already know about heat press machines, then click, HIX, Stahls', or George Knight heat presses, to learn about your choices or check out our Top 10 heat presses.

• Don't need a heat press? Then click Starting Your Business for vital insights that help you successfully hit the ground running.

Updated: Friday September 10, 2010